Han: I would say this year’s Ko-Yon Games. When I was a freshman and a sophomore I was injured at the time of when the Annual Ko-Yon Games were held and thus couldn’t play. So this year, in a sense, was my first Ko-Yon Games. Because it was my first, I was very nervous. And earlier in March of this year, we played against Yonsei at the unofficial Ko-Yon Games and I got the nickname of “high scorer.” That made me feel burdened in a way. We also lost by only one point... and so this year’s game is the most memorable one, I guess.

 

Han: Yes, I do. Not a thinking routine though. I take certain steps after positioning the ball, to the side and back. I have a routine of taking deep breathes and warming up as well.

 

Han: In the past, I did get nervous a lot. However, as I got used to it I learned how to focus solely on the kick itself. Of course at times when someone shouts out from the crowd I tend to get distracted. Actually, the attention of the crowd is okay but the sounds sometimes bother me.

 

Han: Whenever I feel tense, I take deep breaths. That helps me relieve the tension.

 

 

Han: Many people think that way! It looks as if it is going to hurt, when it doesn’t. That is, if you tackle properly with your shoulders. If you use your neck or collarbone, it does hurt though.

 

Han: Attractiveness... hmm.. well, it is real manly. Honestly, ice hockey is manly too. But they have all these gears, don’t they? (Laughs) Fighting without any gears, face-to-face—rugby’s really manly.

 

Han: A lot. I wanted to give up so many times. The worst was when I was a third grader of high school. We, the athletes are more often scouted by directors of university athletic team directors. They often attend competitions of young students to look for players with high potential. So in my last year of high school, I couldn’t really enjoy the game itself but felt pressured thinking I had to impress the directors. The fact that I had to go under such stress because of university was really burdensome.

 

Han: Definitely, yes. It is true that I am in the Physical Education department, but we can barely attend the events of our department. Physical Education is divided into two groups as follows; the regular P.E. majors and the student athletes. So we really only do sports and cannot enjoy much of university life. The only events I have participated in is the Ko-Yon Games, Ipselenti, and Cheering Orientation. For instance, I have never gone out on a meeting or a bbeonmo, and have never done gichanori. I have only one year left, and I am afraid that I may never be able to experience these things. (chuckles)

 

Han: We (KU) are overwhelmingly powerful compared to Yonsei. However, as for speed, we are a little behind. So if we receive training in speed, I strongly believe that we will win next year.

 

Han: Well, this was my first Ko-Yon Games and that itself means a lot. Furthermore, because rugby is an unpopular sport in Korea, the Ko-Yon Games is the only occasion when the crowd if full at a rugby game. Since so many students of KU, alumni, and Old Boys (OB) came, it meant a lot. It was a chance to let people know about rugby as well as myself. I actually dream of the day when rugby games would be crowded just like other foreign countries.

 

Han: The sports of gentlemen. There are three mantras to rugby as follows; cooperation, endurance, and sacrifice. I mean, these words all have great meanings. I don’t know about other sports but in rugby, you can really feel these values. Rugby can sometimes be really violent, with the tackles and all. Players, when really get mad, even get involved in fist fights. However, when the game ends the two teams get together, shake each other’s hands and cheer each other up. The winning team makes a tunnel for the team that lost to walk through. This is rugby’s tradition. And I think that’s really cool. When playing against each other, we are enemies. But when the game ends, we are friends again.