The Daily Life of Table Tennis Legend Yoo Nam-kyu, from Coaching Athletes to Childhood Memories

A video highlighting the daily life and the path walked by coach Yoo Nam-kyu, who is called a legend in the table tennis world, has been released. In this video delivered through TV CHOSUN STAR's 'Star Documentary My Way', the professional life of coach Yoo Nam-kyu coaching athletes and memories of his roots in his hometown are contained.

"A professional is one who takes responsibility for themselves"... Coaching philosophy toward athletes

Coach Yoo Nam-kyu stays at the training site where athletes train every day, continuing technical and mental guidance. In the video, Coach Yoo emphasized that to prevent injuries, athletes must apply strength to their ankles during the warm-up stage to loosen up their bodies. He advised that if they train habitually without thinking, they could injure their ankles, so they must always stay alert and apply strength to their ankles and posture to properly warm up.

His philosophy emphasizing the mental strength of athletes was also revealed. Mentioning the phrase by athlete Se-ri Pak, 'Repetition gives birth to genius and faith gives birth to miracles', Coach Yoo emphasized that a professional is someone who knows how to take responsibility for themselves and knows how to do things on their own. Furthermore, he expressed his belief that the process of challenging the goal of a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be a great help to the athletes in gaining confidence to live their lives.

Detailed advice continued regarding technical guidance. Coach Yoo pointed out that if the shoulder comes out first, one will be pushed back, and explained the practical technique that the racket must come out first and then aim. On-site reactions captured how athletes feel their table tennis skills improving thanks to Coach Yoo's sharp and technical guidance.

Recalling childhood memories in his hometown Busan

Leaving the training site, Coach Yoo visited his hometown, Busan, to reminisce about the past. Looking at the plaza where he played during his childhood, he recalled everything from the junior championships during his third year of middle school to the events held in Busan during the Asian Games and the Olympics. Comparing the past appearance with the current cityscape of the city, Coach Yoo shared his thoughts that the time he lived in during elementary school felt like black and white, while now feels like a color era.

Coach Yoo also revealed his childhood appearance without filter. He reminisced about his childhood when he had such a strong personality that he would faint while throwing tantrums to buy something from the age of three to seven. Additionally, memories of playing table tennis with his parents in the summer were depicted, along with him visiting the house he lived in to trace old memories. In particular, he showed affection for his hometown while touring spaces that connect to the memories of the time he won a gold medal during the 1988 Seoul Olympics.