[Locker Room in Tokyo] Every moment is precious... Volleyball Empress Kim Yeon-kyung's 'Last Dance'

On the 21st, the women's volleyball team's first local adaptation training for the Tokyo Olympics ended.

The players who finished training after 9 p.m. seemed to be tired, but they took pictures with their smartphone cameras to commemorate their entry into Ariake Arena, the decisive battlefield.

Captain Kim Yeon-kyung also took a commemorative photo with the Olympic logo at the end of the court.

And as I was about to get up, my colleagues suddenly started to line up one by one to take a commemorative photo with Kim Yeon-kyung.

Kim Yeon-kyung left memories with her colleagues by posing in various poses.

It is already the 3rd Olympics after London 2012 and Rio 2016, but this Tokyo Olympics is special for Kim Yeon-kyung. This is because he declared early on that the Tokyo Olympics would be his last Olympics. Perhaps that's why, in difficult circumstances such as the threat of Corona 19 and the weakening of the national team's power, he is leading the women's volleyball team with a bright smile.

After training, I asked Yeon-kyung Kim, 'I seem to remember the last Olympics.' He smiled shyly and said, "I don't think I've ever taken so many commemorative photos since coming to the Olympics... I don't know. I'll be taking more pictures this time around. Anyway, I'm always trying to do my best." He added, "I got to train on the main court for the first time after arriving in Tokyo, and the feeling of the court is great, but it seems to be going well.

The women's volleyball team was formed in Group A along with the world's third-ranked Brazil and hosts Japan, Serbia, Dominica and Kenya. After going through the group stage, the top four countries advance to the quarterfinals. If Kenya, which is evaluated below one level, must be captured and beat Dominica and Serbia, it will be possible to advance to the quarterfinals. Getting the best results here will make it easier for the quarterfinals. If you get through the quarterfinals well, you can also aim for an Olympic medal for the first time in 45 years since the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Kim Yeon-kyung is determined to focus on her first match against powerful Brazil, which will be held on the 25th. Our national team defeated Brazil in the group stage for the 2012 London Olympics. SBS reporters arrived at the stadium an hour earlier than the national team's training time, and the Brazilian national team was training on the court. I responded to the training with a camera, but a Brazilian official approached me and showed a strong reaction and refused to shoot. That was how he looked at our national team.

Kim Yeon-kyung, who heard the story, said, "Isn't Brazil also nervous? The Olympics are very unusual. This Olympics is a good environment for us. It's close and there is no time difference. That's right, I'm curious what kind of atmosphere they'll play against, but since there are many games after that match, I think we should show a good match in the first match against Brazil."

Kim Yeon-kyung, who is the women's captain of the Korean delegation, will be the jockey for our delegation at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics tonight.

It was my first time attending the opening ceremony, and I sublimated my excitement into a unique humor.

“I heard that I was a jockey for the opening ceremony, but my older sister told me about it. The players caught on camera roll forward and do things like me. But I’m thinking of refraining from performing.”

Basketball king Michael Jordan said, "Let's be grateful for the past and enjoy the present. And let's end it well."

It ended with a happy ending, winning the championship despite difficult conditions such as injuries of a colleague.

Kim Yeon-kyung, who was impressed with Michael Jordan's documentary 'Last Dance', cherishes every moment and

is preparing

.

"We are trying not to feel burdened too much. We will do well in each game, step by step, and make it to the quarterfinals. The Korea-Japan match is well aware of the expectations and importance of the people, so we want to focus more and play a good game. Please support us a lot. I will repay you with good results as much as I do, so I hope you will cheer for me until the end. Fighting!"