Area Sports in Review
A monthly overview of local sports teams, featuring different sports each month and brought to you…
By Zhang Juizhou (Julius).
Kia Tigers Kick Off Season with Strong Performance 
The Kia Tigers have enjoyed a stellar start to their 2024 season, leading the league with a record of 24 wins and 13 losses in 37 games and making them the only team with a winning percentage exceeding 60 percent. Their home field, Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, has witnessed record-high average attendance rates, with seven sold-out matches already this year.
The Tigers faced unprecedented challenges before the season began when their head coach, Kim Jong-kook, came under legal scrutiny for alleged sponsorship kickbacks. In response, the team appointed as coach the young Lee Bum-ho, born in 1981, a move deemed risky yet bold. However, both the club and the industry have hailed Lee as a “prepared commander.”
The team currently boasts an impressive balance between offense and defense, ranking second in earned run average (3.77) and first in batting average (0.294). Their position in the standings reflects consistent performances from the starting lineup and outstanding contributions from substitute players.
Unlike last year, when foreign pitchers encountered difficulties, this year has seen a turnaround. Right-handed pitcher James Naile has excelled with an earned run average of 1.47, securing four victories in eight games. Despite previous doubts about his ability as a starting pitcher due to his bullpen role in the MLB, Naile’s excellent two-seam and curveball pitches have dispelled concerns. Naile was named the Shell Helix Player for March and April in the KBO League.
Another award recipient is the team’s third-year infielder, Kim Do-yeong, who was selected as the KBO League’s MVP for March and April. Since the season began, Kim Do-yeong has contributed significantly with 11 homeruns (tied for first place) and 34 runs (also tied for first), ranking highly in multiple categories and greatly contributing to the Tigers’ current standing.
June Schedule for the Kia Tigers
| June Dates | Opponent | Location |
| 1–2 | KT | Gwangju |
| 4–6 | Lotte | Gwangju |
| 7–9 | Doosan | Jamsil |
| 11–13 | SSG | Munhak |
| 14–16 | KT | Suwon |
| 18–20 | LG | Gwangju |
| 21–23 | Hanhwa | Gwangju |
| 25–27 | Lotte | Sajik |
| 28–30 | Kiwoom | Gwangju |
Gwangju FC Resilient Amidst Challenges 
Gwangju FC kicked off the 2024 season with two consecutive victories, earning praise for Head Coach Lee Jung-hyo’s tactical prowess and increasingly being considered title contenders. However, a bitter streak of six consecutive losses followed. Despite this, Lee remained committed to his attacking style of football, stating, “I never considered changing my strategy. Even with ten losses in a row, my football philosophy won’t change.”
Last season, Gwangju FC had the lowest player expenditure among the K League 1 teams, less than a third of table-toppers Jeonbuk Hyundai FC. Despite emphasizing attacking football, the team conceded the fewest goals. However, notable midfield player Lee Soon-min transferred to Daejeon Hana Citizen FC, and top-tier center-back Timo Letschert joined Chengdu Rongcheng FC in China. Newly recruited players have yet to fill these gaps.
May brought a turning point for Gwangju FC, with consecutive victories reversing their losing streak. Prior to this, Mayor Kang Ki-Jung penned a heartfelt letter of support to the team, expressing regret over the investment situation while injecting immense confidence. He pledged continuous support regardless of the team’s performance, urging them to continue bringing joy to the fans through attacking football. Fans remained supportive throughout the losing streak, refraining from blaming players or resorting to harsh criticism.
Head Coach Lee explored solutions, including transforming powerful forward Heo Yool into a center-back, yielding unexpected results and temporarily addressing defensive personnel shortages.
Gwangju FC, finishing third in the league last season, initially required a playoff to enter the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite. However, with the opposing team securing direct qualification, Gwangju FC automatically advanced to the main tournament, promising fans more exciting matches ahead.
June Schedule for Gwangju FC
| June Date | Opponent | Location |
| 2 | Seoul | Seoul |
| 15 | Gimcheon | Gwangju |
| 22 | Daejeon | Daejeon |
| 25 | Suwon | Suwon |
| 30 | Jeju | Gwangju |
AI Peppers Seek Transformation in New Season
The AI Peppers, established in Gwangju in 2021 as a professional women’s volleyball team, aims to leverage AI analysis to become the best team in the league. Gwangju is evolving into an AI-centric city, and the team hopes to reflect this by utilizing AI to enhance performance. Peppers Stadium has become the sole venue for winter matches, drawing Gwangju citizens together for games.
As the youngest team in the league, the AI Peppers have struggled with poor finishes over the past three seasons but are now seeking change. They appointed former SBS Sports volleyball commentator Chang So-yun as head coach and recruited one of the best liberos in the league, Han Da-hye, to strengthen the team’s defense. Coach Chang remarked, “Bringing in Han Da-hye was the best choice to bolster defense and increase strength. This experienced veteran will contribute to the team’s stability.”
In the 2024 KOVO Foreign Player Draft held in early May, the AI Peppers selected Zhang Yu from China as a middle blocker and Barbara Dapic from Croatia as an opposite spiker. Both players stand over 190 centimeters tall and are expected to improve the team’s fast attacks and blocking capabilities.
The Author
Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius) is from Harbin, China. He began writing in 2022 and has contributed to the Chinese media in Gwangju. He concurrently serves at a sports data company. He is pursuing a master’s degree in media and communications and is responsible for the Chinese Students Association at Chonnam University.