Kwak Seung-seok is an outside heater for Korean Air. In addition to receiving, he shows great ability on defense as well. He is a key player on the team, from strong serve to front and back attacks.

During the 2023 AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Men’s Club Championship, which ended on the 21st in Manama, Bahrain, Kwak Seung-seok led his juniors as captain. A player who wore the captain’s armband from the 2015-2016 season was left out of the entry for rehabilitation in this tournament, and Kwak Seung-seok was given the captain’s duty.

Kwak Seung-seok wore a captain’s uniform with a clear under bar under number 9. And he had closer communication with the players during the tournament. He didn’t play much. He mainly came out as a substitute in the back three positions, and was put in the last game as a starter. It was a part where you could feel how much Kwak Seung-seok is a player who gives the team a sense of stability. In addition, I was able to feel the volleyball sense of Kwak Seung-seok, who is the best player in Korea in receiving and defensive position selection, once again.

After the tournament, Kwak Seung-seok said, “As captain, there are definitely many things to take care of. I had to look at the team atmosphere, and I had to act as a communication channel between the coaching staff and the players.”

When asked if he had plans to captain the team next season, Kwak Seung-seok smiled and said, “(Han) player hyung probably won’t.” He smiled once again, saying, “Originally, I heard that my player brother did not accompany me to this tournament, so I thought, ‘Ah, is it going to be the Kwak Seung-seok system now?’

Kwak Seung-seok’s performance in the ‘final 7th place’ in this tournament left much to be desired. In particular, the interview with Suntory’s Dmitri Mushalski, who won the championship in Japan, was a stimulus. After winning the Korean Air War on the 18th, Mushalski downgraded the members of the Korean Air team, who felt that they were sitting on the net, by saying that they were ranked 9th to 11th in the Japanese league.

Kwak Seung-seok said, “We didn’t even go out with full power. Even so, when I heard such an interview, I felt bad because I felt like I was ignoring Korean volleyball. Players from other teams in Korea were also contacted and showed similar reactions. I want to stick with it once again.”

He added, “If we re-enter this competition next year with full power, at least we will be able to go to the finals.”메이저놀이터

It was definitely a tournament that left a lot of regret for Kwak Seung-seok. It was a precious memory to play an active role as a captain encouraging his juniors, but he could not hide his desire to compete properly as a main member. It is also the reason why next year’s Asian Club Championship is expected.