Korea and Yonsei Universities Square off for 40th Annual Athletic Showdown

It has been 40 years since Korea University and Yonsei University began to cement their friendship through regular sports competition.

The 2004 Regular Yon-Ko Game (meaning Yonsei and Korea University Sports Competition), which is in its 40th year since 1965, will be held for two days starting on September 17. The opening ceremony will be held in Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 2:00 p.m. Starting with baseball at 3:00 p.m., the two schools will face each other in five events, including basketball, ice hockey, rugby, and soccer.

Basketball will be played at 5:00 p.m. of the opening day in the Jamsil Indoor Stadium. Ice hockey will be played at 6:00 p.m. of the same day at the Mokdong Ice Rink. Starting at 2:00 p.m. of the second day, rugby and soccer will be played at Jamsil Main Stadium with one event following the other.

Last year’s event ended in a tie, with both schools earning two wins, one tie, and two defeats each. Overall, Yonsei University leads Korea University by a slight difference: 15 wins, six ties, and 12 losses. In the past four competitions since 2000, the schools have been evenly matched, with one win, two ties, and one loss apiece.

This year, Korea University again shows strength in baseball and soccer, and Yonsei University shows strength in basketball and ice hockey. Keen competition is expected in rugby.

However, the forecasts might be completely wrong since the results of the competition are not decided by past records, but by the minds of the players and the atmosphere in the stadium.

The Korea University baseball team, which is leading its rivals with 18 wins, four ties, and 10 losses, is relying on Kim Dae-woo (pitcher) and national team player Jung Geun-woo (second base). Yonsei University, however, with Lee Gwang-eun added to their coaching staff, is determined to defeat its rival.

Without a single loss in the past six years (four wins and two ties), Yonsei University’s ice hockey team defeated Korea University 4-2 for the national championship held at the beginning of the year, and the team still looks great. Korea University’s team just finished its training in the Czech Republic, and promises to wipe out the stain of its former defeats.

In basketball, Korea University’s coach has been changed to Jin Hyo-jun since losing to Yonsei by 15 points last year. Since the new coach, Korea University is tied with Yonsei University with a season record of 1-1.

Yonsei University’s basketball team has the strongest lineup, including Bang Sung-yun, Kim Tae-sool, and Jeon Jung-gyu. Moreover, Ha Seung-jin (2m 23cm), who was drafted by the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, is enthusiastically participating in the training camp and even delayed his departure for the NBA in order to play in this game.

In soccer, which will be played last, the game is expected to be very close. Korea University’s splendid players, including Park Joo-young, the national team’s striker, with excellent individual skills, will rival Yonsei University’s systematic approach.

Starting this year, regular students will be also competing with each other in baseball, basketball, and soccer. Hence, the competition is now more of a “sports festival.” Baseball, rugby, and soccer events will be broadcast live by SBS Sports Channel.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com