Sportspeople
The time I started to like watching competitive diving was back in 2004, the Athens Olympics. It was the women's 3m springboard event. I asked my dad how the dives are judged and he said one of the factors is the amount of splash. Then I saw Guo Jingjing from China, making minimal splash after every entry. Not only that, she was graceful, and her turns were crisp. The polite bow at the end of every dive caught me too. Diving is one of China's strongest suits in sports. From then on, I've paid (relatively more) attention to many other talented Chinese divers, and will also feel for them when they falter at the last dive, dashing hopes of clinching Gold. I also like watching gymnastics. One of the gymnasts I adore, is Shawn Johnson. I like her bright smile, her charisma, her grace and beauty, and power and strength. She had so much potential, having stellar achievements one after another when she was just a teenager. It was a pity she had to retire when she was 20, 2 years ago, due to knee injury. Of all sports, one of those that I've never bothered, is football, until I know of Park Ji-sung last month when watching Running Man. Ok I'm not implying that I will start following football closely now, but this footballer caught my attention and I have high admiration and respect for him. A pity I know Ji-sung late; he first made his international appearance way back in 2002, and had already retired this May. Plus he appeared on RM in 2012 and 2013 as well, but I happened to miss those episodes. Funny. My dad asked me, "What's so special about him?" A friend said, "He's not very good. And not popular." We may support different people, but I'm sure Ji-sung is (was) a footballer worthy of support, even if he may not be the best. I've watched several clips of him playing. His resilience and stamina are indisputable. His passes are precise. He is an outstanding team player. There is currently a saying on the net, "Brazil has Neymar, Argentina has Messi, Portugal has Ronaldo, and Germany has a team." People like Park Ji-sung are essential building blocks. His attacks are quick and varied. I especially like when he kicks the ball over the head of his opponent, run passes him, and then scores a goal with a headbutt to the ball. When he got onto Running Man, he was such a sport. He settled down readily with the rest of the cast, and knew how to be humourous and serious. Park is confident, and at the same time, humble. I also praise the fact that he founded the JS Foundation to do his part in philanthropy and attempting to boost the football scene in Asia. Maybe that's enough of my views and time for some substantiations and testimonials.
From http://www.theweek.co.uk/football/15789/park-not-man-utd-sell-shirts-says-ferguson
"Park is not at Man Utd to sell shirts, says Ferguson" by Jonathan Harwood, last updated on 22 Mar 2010
"After Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park scored the winner for Manchester United in their vital win over Liverpool on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on him and dismissed suggestions that he had only been brought to the club for commercial reasons."
"Although he was left out of the squad for the 2008 Champions League final he tends to feature in most of United's big games, and was utilised in a position behind the striker."
"Responding to the suggestion that Park was bought simply to increase shirt sales Ferguson said: "I didn't think that... Someone is always going to take a runner on something like selling shirts. But you could say that about every player we have signed.""
From http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2012/07/10/3228763/park-ji-sungs-top-10-moments-in-a-manchester-united-shirt
"Park Ji-Sung's Top 10 moments in a Manchester United shirt" by Kaustav Bera, 10 Jul 2012
10. First Asian to captain Manchester United
9. Single-handedly saving the blushes against Wolves
8. First Asian to Lift The UEFA Champions League
7. MoM against Blues in PL 2008/09 after an early goal
6. MoM Display Against Barcelona in CL winning run in 2008
5. Knocking out Arsenal in the 2009 UEFA CL Semi-Finals
4. Assisting Hernandez to seal the 19th Premier League Title
3. Pushing Pirlo out of the Champions League
2. Winning it for United against Liverpool in 2010
1. Scores Winner Against Chelsea In 2011 UEFA CL Quarters
From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2063470-park-ji-sung-retires-how-the-midfielder-was-under-appreciated-at-man-utd
"Park Ji-Sung Retires: How the Midfielder Was Underappreciated at Man Utd" by Christopher Heathman , Correspondent, 14 May 2014
"The midfielder may not have set the world alight like Cristiano Ronaldo, but Park was a vital member of the squad when there were semi-finals to be played and title races to be won."
"Park was often referred to as a "Duracell Bunny" because of his seemingly endless gas tank. What was rarely appreciated was his movement and intelligence."
Andrea Pirlo, when he played for AC Milan, "On one of the many occasions when our paths crossed during my time at Milan, he (Ferguson) unleashed Park Ji-sung to shadow me. The midfielder must have been the first nuclear-powered South Korean in history, in the sense that he rushed about the pitch at the speed of an electron."
"Sadly, it was fans who did not fully appreciate Park and his many attributes. In his final couple of seasons at Old Trafford, the midfielder became a scapegoat. When things went wrong, it was his fault. Yes, as Park aged he made more mistakes, but there many instances when the criticism was undeserved. He was just easy to blame.
His career at Man Utd fizzled out due to injury and little game time. It is a shame a player like Park, who was dedicated and a model professional — and who remained so after being shockingly left out of the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow — was never really appreciated.
If you look at Man Utd's disastrous league campaign and the current state of the midfield, a Park Ji-Sung would have been quite useful."
//The last 3 paragraphs are GOLDEN WORDS. Terms like "underrated" and "unsung hero" are some of the best to describe him. Ji-sung is getting married this month. His fiance quit her job at SBS this March, way ahead of their wedding. Since they plan to live in Europe, I guess that's why. Salute his fiance - power of love. Wish them a happy everlasting marriage!
From http://www.theweek.co.uk/football/15789/park-not-man-utd-sell-shirts-says-ferguson
"Park is not at Man Utd to sell shirts, says Ferguson" by Jonathan Harwood, last updated on 22 Mar 2010
"After Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park scored the winner for Manchester United in their vital win over Liverpool on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on him and dismissed suggestions that he had only been brought to the club for commercial reasons."
"Although he was left out of the squad for the 2008 Champions League final he tends to feature in most of United's big games, and was utilised in a position behind the striker."
"Responding to the suggestion that Park was bought simply to increase shirt sales Ferguson said: "I didn't think that... Someone is always going to take a runner on something like selling shirts. But you could say that about every player we have signed.""
From http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2012/07/10/3228763/park-ji-sungs-top-10-moments-in-a-manchester-united-shirt
"Park Ji-Sung's Top 10 moments in a Manchester United shirt" by Kaustav Bera, 10 Jul 2012
10. First Asian to captain Manchester United
9. Single-handedly saving the blushes against Wolves
8. First Asian to Lift The UEFA Champions League
7. MoM against Blues in PL 2008/09 after an early goal
6. MoM Display Against Barcelona in CL winning run in 2008
5. Knocking out Arsenal in the 2009 UEFA CL Semi-Finals
4. Assisting Hernandez to seal the 19th Premier League Title
3. Pushing Pirlo out of the Champions League
2. Winning it for United against Liverpool in 2010
1. Scores Winner Against Chelsea In 2011 UEFA CL Quarters
From http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2063470-park-ji-sung-retires-how-the-midfielder-was-under-appreciated-at-man-utd
"Park Ji-Sung Retires: How the Midfielder Was Underappreciated at Man Utd" by Christopher Heathman , Correspondent, 14 May 2014
"The midfielder may not have set the world alight like Cristiano Ronaldo, but Park was a vital member of the squad when there were semi-finals to be played and title races to be won."
"Park was often referred to as a "Duracell Bunny" because of his seemingly endless gas tank. What was rarely appreciated was his movement and intelligence."
Andrea Pirlo, when he played for AC Milan, "On one of the many occasions when our paths crossed during my time at Milan, he (Ferguson) unleashed Park Ji-sung to shadow me. The midfielder must have been the first nuclear-powered South Korean in history, in the sense that he rushed about the pitch at the speed of an electron."
"Sadly, it was fans who did not fully appreciate Park and his many attributes. In his final couple of seasons at Old Trafford, the midfielder became a scapegoat. When things went wrong, it was his fault. Yes, as Park aged he made more mistakes, but there many instances when the criticism was undeserved. He was just easy to blame.
His career at Man Utd fizzled out due to injury and little game time. It is a shame a player like Park, who was dedicated and a model professional — and who remained so after being shockingly left out of the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow — was never really appreciated.
If you look at Man Utd's disastrous league campaign and the current state of the midfield, a Park Ji-Sung would have been quite useful."
//The last 3 paragraphs are GOLDEN WORDS. Terms like "underrated" and "unsung hero" are some of the best to describe him. Ji-sung is getting married this month. His fiance quit her job at SBS this March, way ahead of their wedding. Since they plan to live in Europe, I guess that's why. Salute his fiance - power of love. Wish them a happy everlasting marriage!
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