“I will definitely take home the title of No. 1 blocker this season.”
Choi Jeong-min, 24, a middle blocker (center) for IBK Business Bank in the V-League Women’s Division, is having a more motivated season than ever. She’s showing improvement from last season and hopes to defend her title as the top blocker in blocks per set until the end 메이저 토토사이트 of the season.
Choi leads the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League Women’s Division in blocks per set (0.84) through 15 days. She is followed by Yang Hyo-jin (Hyundai E&C – 0.82), Jung Ho-young (Jeong Kwan-jang – 0.69), and Lee Ju-ah (Heungkuk Life – 0.68). It’s even more significant that the team has played all 23 matches and 92 sets this season.
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2021-2022, her second year as a full-time player, Choi recorded 0.32 blocks per set. In the 2022-2023 season, it was 0.54. With Kim Soo-ji becoming a free agent and moving to Heungkuk Life ahead of this season, and Kim Hee-jin not being fully healthy, Choi’s performance has been a welcome one for IBK.
“I think my ability to read the flow of the game has improved from before,” Choi said, “I know the opponent’s attack in advance and follow it, and my jump timing has improved,” explaining the driving force behind his performance this season. IBK head coach Kim Ho-cheol also said, “(Choi) used to be in a hurry to chase the opposing attackers, but now he anticipates and moves in advance. As the number of times he participates in blocking has increased, his performance has naturally followed suit.”
Encouragement from her idol Yang Hyo-jin has also helped her grow. Yang is the best middle blocker in the history of the V-League, having reached the 1,500-block milestone for the first time. She praised Choi for having “beautiful hands and performing well despite being shorter than her competitors.”
According to Yang, Choi (180 centimeters) is a bit shorter than the likes of Yang Hyo-jin, Jung Ho-young (over 190 centimeters), and Lee Ju-ah (185 centimeters), but she doesn’t let that stop her from defending her title as the top blocker per set. “Before the season started, I didn’t expect my name to be listed as the number one block per set,” Choi said. It’s embarrassing, but it feels great,” he said, adding, “I don’t think I’ll get many opportunities to play internationally because I’m short. However, we are competitive in the V-League, so I really want to win the title.”