Area Sports Round-Up – January 2025

A monthly overview of local sports, featuring area teams and brought to you…

By Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius)

Kia Tigers Celebrate Championship with Parade and Renewed Contracts

On November 30, Gwangju’s Geumnam Street was abuzz with excitement as the Kia Tigers held a celebratory car parade for their 12th Korea Series victory, marking their last such win spanning 35 years. Head Coach Lee Bum-ho and the players rode an open-top bus to the May 18 Democracy Square, where they were greeted by thousands of fans. Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung presented the team with flowers as a token of gratitude on behalf of the city’s residents.

Following the parade, the team hosted the V12 Tigers Festa at the Kim Daejung Convention Center, attended by 5,000 fans. During the event, the players and Coach Lee expressed their appreciation. Lee stated, “This season’s success was made possible by the unwavering support of our fans. We will prepare diligently in the off- season to continue our winning ways next year.”

The Tigers have begun extending contracts with key foreign players. On November 27, the team announced the re-signing of pitcher James Naile for the 2025 season on a 1.8 million dollar deal. James Naile, who was instrumental in the Tigers’ championship run, continued to perform despite suffering a serious jaw injury mid-season. His dedication and stellar performance ensured his place on the team.

Another standout foreign player, Socrates, has drawn interest from MLB teams after an impressive rebound in the second half of the season under Lee Bum-ho’s guidance. However, the Tigers remain cautious about renewing his contract due to salary caps and roster constraints, as the team considers other options for foreign players.

AI Peppers Players Selected for KOVO All-Star Game

Amid fluctuating performances, the AI Peppers received positive news with players Park Jeong- ah and Zhang Yu being invited to participate in the 2024–2025 KOVO All-Star Game. The list of 40 players for the All-Star event, scheduled for January 4 in Chuncheon, was announced on December 1. This year’s selection process combined 70 percent fan votes, 15 percent team votes, and 15 percent media votes.

Zhang Yu ranked first among middle blockers with a total score of 36.47, earning her a spot as a “K-star.” Meanwhile, Park Jeong-ah secured third place among outside hitters with a score of 21.93, earning her a spot as a “V-star.” The recognition underscores their pivotal roles and growing popularity within the league.

Gwangju FC Completes Season Amid Financial Struggles

Gwangju FC concluded their 2024 K League 1 season on November 24 with a 1–1 draw against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, securing ninth place in the league with 47 points (14 wins, 5 draws, 19 losses). Despite challenges such as a lack of mid- season reinforcements, Head Coach Lee Jung-hyo expressed hope for stronger fan support in the upcoming season: “We hope to repay the support we saw in the final game with even better performances next year.”

In the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), Gwangju achieved a 1–1 draw against Shanghai Port on December 3, securing second place in their group with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. This ensures their progression to the next round and marks the end of their competitive matches for 2024.

The ACL success holds significant meaning for Gwangju, which faces a severe financial crisis. Despite earning over 1.4 billion KRW in match bonuses this season, their total debt from budget shortfalls has grown, with loans of 5.4 billion KRW taken out over the last two years. The club has struggled to meet the Professional Football League’s financial stability requirements and may face penalties or even K1 relegation if conditions are not met.

The league has requested that Gwangju FC submit a detailed financial report by the end of the month. Failure to meet the required standards could result in point deductions or restrictions on player transfers.

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 National University.