Korea Manager Hopes for Growth and Title at Tokyo Baseball Championship

{ "articleTitle": "Korea Manager Hopes for Growth and Title at Tokyo Baseball Championship", "articleDescription": "National team manager Choi Won-ho leads a young Korean roster to the Asia Professional Baseball Championship in Tokyo, aiming to win the tournament while providing international experience for players aged 24 and under.", "articleBody": "

Choi Leads Young Roster to Tokyo Dome

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Korea national team manager Choi Won-ho led the squad to Tokyo on Monday for the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), which is scheduled to run from Thursday to Sunday at the Tokyo Dome.

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Choi stated that he wants young players to gain international experience while also aiming to win the tournament. The Korean national team will open its campaign against Australia on Thursday, face Japan on Friday, and play Taiwan on Saturday.

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The APBC is designed for players aged 24 or younger. Each team is allowed up to three older players aged 24 to 29 or those with no more than three years of professional experience.

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Korea’s roster consists mainly of Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) players born on or after Jan. 1, 2002. The over-age players selected for the team must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1997.

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Postseason Standouts Join Squad

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Three players from the Korean Series will join the national team in Tokyo on Tuesday after receiving an extra day off. The players are Samsung Lions outfielder Kim Ji-chan and shortstop Lee Jae-hyeon, along with KT Wiz outfielder Ahn Hyun-min.

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The Samsung Lions defeated the KT Wiz 12-1 in Game 5 of the Korean Series on Sunday to claim the title.

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Kia Tigers slugger Kim Do-yeong is also part of the roster. Kim led the KBO with 45 home runs this year and hit four more during eight postseason games.

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Japan Remains Favorite After Previous Finals Wins

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Japan is considered the favorite for the tournament, having defeated Korea in the finals of the first two editions of the APBC.

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Choi noted that Korea enters its game against Japan on an 11-game losing streak against its neighbor. He also highlighted Japan’s offensive threat, pointing out that Koki Yamaguchi hit 38 home runs this year.

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Manager Addresses Roster Readiness

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Speaking to reporters at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul before departing for Tokyo, Choi addressed concerns about player readiness. He said he was worried about players who did not compete in the K