Choi Ji-man (32), who was unable to wear the Taegeuk mark he desperately wanted because of opposition from his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, expressed his candid feelings, saying, “I am very disappointed and frustrated.”
Choi Ji-man, who is training in the United States, said through Sports Vibe, a management company in Korea, on the 6th that his absence from the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) was confirmed, “All athletes, regardless of sport, dream of running as a player representing the country with a national flag on their chest. You don’t know how happy I was when I was named to the final 30-man list at the WBC this time,” he said.
Choi Ji-man, who is undergoing rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to remove a bone fragment in his elbow in November of last year, explained, “I returned to the United States and was undergoing a normal rehabilitation process. Recently, there was 안전놀이터 no problem enough to proceed with live betting.”
“I was improving my physical condition well in line with the schedule for the first round of the WBC held in Tokyo, Japan, as well as joining the national team’s spring camp scheduled for the middle of this month,” he emphasized that there was no major problem with his physical condition.
Choi Ji-man expressed deep regret by saying, “I was preparing for the first round of the WBC, so the disappointment I feel is so great. My heart hurts.”
On the morning of this day, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced that it received news from the WBC Organizing Committee that Choi Ji-man could not participate in the WBC.
Choi Ji-man underwent an elbow bone fragment removal surgery last November.
Choi Ji-man, who was unable to join the adult national team for various reasons, did not hide his longing for the Taegeuk mark.
While leaving for the United States at the beginning of last month, he said, “I was hungry because I had never worn the Taegeuk mark. I thought I would definitely want to go this year.”
He seemed to be quenching his thirst for the Taegeuk mark by being named to the final 30-man list of the WBC national team, but faced opposition from Pittsburgh.
Choi Ji-man said, “Contrary to my will, my dream of joining the national team collapsed due to the influence of the surrounding environment. However, if I am given another opportunity next time, I want to achieve my dream of becoming a national team member.” I think there will be an opportunity to contribute to the country in a better way.”
Even though they couldn’t be together, Choi Ji-man wished the national team good luck.
Choi Ji-man cheered, “As a Korean citizen, I will cheer for Korea so that it can achieve good results in this tournament.” Then he shouted “Korea Fighting!”