On the 6th, the professional team LPBA announced the birth of a new star in the women's team. It was news that Underdog, born in 2001, beat powerhouse Lee Woo-kyung to reach the semifinals for the first time.
Cho, 23, debuted in the LPBA during the 22-23 season and is now in his second season as a professional. His previous best was at the round of 32 at the 9th round (Crown Haitai Championship) last season.
Although his best performance seemed to be limited to the round of 64 this season, he beat "LPBA Queen" Kim Se-yeon (Huons) from PPQ (first preliminary round) to Yang Hye-young and Kim Han-gil in the 7th Tour High1 Resort Championship. Kim Bo-ra, Kang Ji-eun (SK Rent-a-Car) and Lee Woo-kyung also turned their heads in front of Information Yoon's cue.
PBA fans were already paying close attention to the possibilities even before Information Yoon came out. From the past when he started playing billiards at his father's recommendation, to the secret of making it to the semifinals, PBA fans showed off his neat appearance.
On the 24th, Information Yoon, who met with MHN Sports at a practice room in Yongsan on Christmas Eve, relaxed his story.
Hereinafter, LPBA Information Yoon's Q&A
- I heard you followed your father into billiards. At first, I wasn't interested and practiced hard. What did you want to do?
I have played billiards since high school, so I don't think I had any big dreams. Instead, I wanted to live a normal life. Going to college normally, eating delicious food, having a beer with my friends, and playing CC with them. To be honest, my school days were not fun. As soon as school ended, I started at the billiard room, practiced, ate, and played for about an hour or two before going home. I don't think I worked hard because I was young at that time (laughs)
- Why did your father want to play billiards so much?
My dad likes billiards so much and consistently told me that it would be a blue ocean. I think he believed that if I built up my skills well, I could succeed. However, there were already so many older sisters who played much better than me and looked prettier than me, that I was doubtful (laughs) When the professional league was not launched, my father recommended me to play. Then when I started playing billiards, I got a professional basketball. Since then, my father has told me to challenge myself to become a professional by building my skills with self-management. When I was young, I was a little chubby, but I think I walked around the billiard room for an hour or two as a diet.
- I don't think that period would have been very easy mentally?
When I started billiards, I actually wanted to play so much. After school, my friends went out to play somewhere, but I couldn't, and because I couldn't, I couldn't join them at school and couldn't play, so it was hard to join them. There was a time when I was severely depressed because I kept telling them to do what they didn't want to do. But my father was strict, so there was no way. I think I hit it a little bit at that time after starting billiards, it was the hardest for about 3-4 years. At that time, I played at the Yeoksam practice range, and my father watched the scoreboard in real time at the store and scolded me over the phone. When I was young, I rebelled a lot and fought a lot. I thought, 'I should get out of this situation quickly.'
- On the contrary, was there a moment when you felt 'good you got the ball' after becoming a professional?
Whenever I got a good score, I thought so. It motivates me even when I'm depressed when I get a good score in a match. Especially when my father's interference is reduced (laughs) and my grades are not good for a while after coming to the professional program, it was really hard. After coming to the professional program, there was a time when my grades were so stagnant that I couldn't understand it. About two years? I've improved my style of playing ball, but Abidge stopped and my handicap became stagnant. I was impatient watching my peers hit and go up, but I think that was bad for my grades. Also, I felt that if my younger friends hit and came up, my seat would disappear. I was very anxious, so it was hard.
- I jumped to the semifinals in Game 7. How did you feel when you just broke your best record?
To be honest, I was puzzled. Should I say that when a person is too happy, he or she loses any sense? I felt like I was floating in the air. I thought, "Is it a dream?" When I met Kim Bo-ra in the round of 32, I honestly wasn't sure (that I would win). And I started by conceding the first set as well. I was a bit worried, and I started when I was not confident, but after winning two or three sets, the momentum leaned towards me. From there, I thought that the opponent pushed me to the point where I was embarrassed. One of my bad habits is that I sit down and keep chewing bad balls. Then, I gradually dig. In this game, I tried to close my eyes and not think anything. Haha. It was really hard.
- What skills are you most confident in? A little more upside down, or what skills do you want to learn?
It's simple, but I think I'm good at side turning and brushing narrow angles. It's a narrow angle to say that I'm good at hitting, but I'm good at side turning. Haha. First of all, I think I need to supplement the bank shot. I feel every year that bank shots are important. As the season goes by, the bank shot rate and success rate are increasing. Especially, I think one bank is difficult.
- What's your daily routine? Do you work out at the same time?
First of all, I come out to the Yongsan practice range at 1 p.m. and start practicing. As for the gym, I used to work out before I came in the morning, but my makeup was completely removed and I sweated, so I had to wash up again and that was difficult. These days, I quit the gym for 24 hours, so I changed my exercise pattern to night. After midnight and 12:30 p.m., I go home, wash up, and sleep. It's like this during the week. When I just started playing billiards, I practiced for 7 days a week with no holidays at all. But after I improve my grades a little, I think I have to take a day off a week, so I take a day off on Saturday.
- Let's move on to a minor question. Do you have any hobbies? Do you enjoy any other sports?
I like professional baseball. I actually like to go to the baseball stadium and watch pretty girls. Haha. I just like sports, so I watch all kinds of sports.
- What do you usually do on your day off? Do you have any favorite food?
During the baseball season, I often go to the ballpark with Jung Ye-jin. I attracted him as a fan of the LG Twins last year. I go to watch baseball games at this distance in Jamsil, Gocheok, Incheon, and Suwon Wiz Park. I only take Saturdays off, so I try to go there as much as possible when there is a game. I went to the ballpark since I was really young. I even told my friends, 'I've been a fan of LG since I was in my mother's womb!' My family first uniform was Oh Ji-hwan, and my father Park Yong-taek (retired). I also liked Lee Ju-hyung (current Kiwoom Heroes), but I left the team. These days, I like Lee Young-bin. When it comes to food, I like meat. I can't eat raw food well, and I have a baby taste. I can't drink coffee well and like sweet things.
- Is there anything you want to say freely?
There are times when a professional player can get good grades (after agonizing over it for a while) and sometimes he can't. Even if I'm in good condition, if the opponent hits it better, I may lose. Some days, the ball may be too locked and I may not be lucky. There are bound to be ups and downs. I think it is a professional that makes (his skills) as consistent as possible so that there are no ups and downs. There are many days to show you, so I hope you will take a bigger look at the future even if you don't get good results right away. 토토사이트