Seung-Hwan Oh, a stone Buddha who has done good deeds, helps the disabled sports club for 6 years

Seung-Hwan Oh (39, Samsung Lions),’the leader of the end plate’, is as heavy as his deeds. He has been supporting sports for the disabled for six years, and he has full confidence in this season.

Oh Seung-Hwan attended a sponsorship ceremony held at the Korean Paralympic Games in Bangi-dong, Seoul on the 18th. As an ambassador for the disabled sports association, he has donated 60 million won five times since December 2016.

This year, it paid 10 million won in support for players in basic sports. Shin Eui-hyun, who he sponsored in 2018, won the first Korean gold medal (Nordic Ski) at the PyeongChang Paralympic Games in the same year.

Jeong Jin-wan, chairman of the Paralympic Games for the Disabled, said, “Yoo Soo-young, who received support for badminton in 2019, became the national team and was able to look forward to participation in the 2022 Asian Paralympic Games and the 2024 Paralympic Games. “I am grateful to Seung-Hwan Oh for keeping his promise to help consistently, not one-off.” Seung-Hwan Oh said, “I had a relationship with the Sports Association for the Disabled while doing rehabilitation training at the Athlete’s Village Hospital. Glad to be helpful. I want to continue to apply for it in the future.”

Oh Seung-hwan also helped Kim Myung-je, a former baseball player in 2019. Kim Myung-je, from Doosan, suffered a disability in a drunk traffic accident and recovered as a wheelchair tennis player. Seung-Hwan Oh said, “I sometimes get in touch with Myung-je. It’s not an easy situation, but I’m proud to get up again through the exercise.”

The Paralympic Games for the Disabled presented Oh Seung-Hwan’s name and back number 21 on the training suit of the national team of the Tokyo Paralympic Games to be held this summer. Oh Seung-hwan can also participate in the Tokyo Olympics. Kim Kyung-moon, coach of the Korean baseball team, said, “I want to select in consideration of Oh Seung-hwan’s skills and leadership to lead his juniors.”

Seung-Hwan Oh said, “It would be an honor to be selected as the national team because you are in good condition and skill. If you go, of course, I want to get good grades.” He also said, “The Olympics will be held one month ahead of the Paralympic Games, and we hope that we will show a good image first so that good energy can be delivered to Paralympic players.”

Oh Seung-hwan’s Samsung is selected as the top 5 candidate this season. First baseman Oh Jae-il, a free agent (FA), was recruited, and young pitchers grew rapidly. Another factor is Oh Seung-hwan’s full-time finish. Oh Seung-hwan came back after six years of overseas life last year. In the first half, he struggled with 1 win, 1 loss, 2 hold, 6 saves, an ERA of 4.58. However, in the second half, he showed the dignity of the ‘end board leader’ with an average ERA of 1.50 with 2 wins 1 loss and 12 saves.

Seung-Hwan Oh said, “I do not try to feel a great sense of responsibility because it can be burdensome. It doesn’t mean that I am good at myself. However, the players are tightly packed, and they are in good shape. I am cautious to tell you before the results come out, but I think it will be helpful to gain experience last year.”

Seung-Hwan Oh is a friend of the same age with SSG Landers Choo Shin-soo, 39, who has returned to Korea. On the 16th, we met before the practice game and exchanged jokes with each other, saying, “Smooth.” Oh Seung-hwan said, “I don’t know what to do. Meeting Shin-soo Choo in a game is an urgent situation. I will concentrate.”

Oh Seung-hwan said, “When Choo Shin-soo came to the KBO League, it became a stimulus to his classmates as well. Looking at Choo Shin-soo, I got a feeling that’we can do it too’.” Previously, young Samsung pitchers such as Kim Yoon-soo and Won Tae-in said, “I want to boldly deal with Shin-soo Choo with a direct ball,” Oh Seung-hwan said, “This is a dangerous statement. I play fastball really well,” he warned.

Reporter Kim Hyo-kyung [email protected]