The hero of the first Asian quarter of the V-League was Daejeon Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance and Mongolian apogee spiker Eddy (24, Sungkyunkwan University, 198 cm).
At the 2023 KOVO Men’s Asian Quarter Tryout held at the Jeju Sun Hotel on the 27th, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance selected Eddie with the first ball.
Sungkyunkwan University Eddie, who is from Mongolia and is considered the best apogee spiker on the university stage, was given the honor of being named first in the men’s professional volleyball Asia Quarter Draft, which was introduced for the first time. The reunion with director Kim Sang-woo, who was a teacher during college, also draws attention.
This is the first time that a draft has been conducted exclusively for Asian players since the professional launch in 2005. Foreign player tryouts (selection of players openly) with no nationality restrictions will be held separately in Turkiye next month.
This Asian Quarter Tryout was introduced to increase the team’s player management efficiency and to arouse interest in the league through the participation of players from various nationalities. In addition, the purpose is to generate income through the sale of overseas broadcasting rights in the Asian market, and to provide opportunities for foreign players attending domestic schools to continue their careers in Korea.
Seven teams put in 10 marbles each, a total of 70 marbles, and as a result of a lottery, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance’s blue marbles were selected and assigned the first order. Although it was the lowest team last season, it was a random draw, so I was able to smile brightly.
Eddie, a tall striker from Mongolia, is a resource that can be used in various ways, such as an outside hitter and middle blocker, as well as an apogee. Interest in how director Kim Sang-woo, who knows how to use Eddy better than anyone else after selecting him while coaching Sungkyunkwan University, is growing.
2nd place Suwon KEPCO and last season’s winner Incheon Korean Air won the 3rd place and became another winner.
KEPCO chose Japan’s Libero Ryohei Iga (29, 171 cm), and Korean Air, in third place, selected outside heater Mark Espeho (26, 191 cm) from the Philippines. KEPCO filled the spot with Libero, which was a weak point, and Korean Air unexpectedly nominated Espejo, drawing surprise.
It was followed by Ansan OK Financial Group in 4th place, Cheonan Hyundai Capital in 5th place, Uijeongbu KB Insurance in 6th place, and Seoul Woori Card in 7th place. OK Financial Group won Mongolia’s outside hitter Bayar Saihan (25, 197cm), Hyundai Capital won Taiwan’s middle blocker Chai Peichang (22, 203cm), and KB Insurance ranked 6th as Taiwan’s outside hitter Liu Hongmin (22, 203cm). 30 191 cm) was nominated. The 7th ranked Woori Card chose Issey Otake (28 202 cm), a Japanese apogee spiker.ㅋㅋㅋ벳
Players selected for this Asian Quarter tryout will receive $100,000 (including tax) in annual salary for both men and women.