(Toyohashi [Japan] = Yonhap News) Reporter Dae-ho Lee = Behind the Korean national baseball team's 5 consecutive gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was the fighting spirit of Cho Byeong-hyun (SSG Landers) and Park Young-hyun (KT Wiz), the 'special bullpen duo' who completely shut down a tense game.
Korea took the top spot by beating Japan 3-1 in the final held at Toyohashi Citizen Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan on the 27th.
The batting line continued to play on thin ice, scoring only 3 runs despite getting 12 hits and 6 walks, but Korea's solid bullpen did not allow a comeback.
The game was in danger of being reversed with one out and first and second bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, right after starter Kwak Bin allowed the score to be tied 1-1.
Cho Byeong-hyun, who came on as a relief pitcher, put out the fire by striking out Japan's two subsequent batters in a row.
Then, when Jo Byeong-hyun allowed a hit with one out in the bottom of the 8th inning, the bench called Park Young-hyun.
Park Young-hyun overcame the crisis with one out and runners on first and third bases with a strikeout and a fly ball, and also struck out pinch hitter Masato Shibasaki with three balls in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs on first and second bases, confirming the gold medal.
Cho Byeong-hyun had already completed his military service in the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu) and was not eligible for military service benefits for winning the gold medal at this event.
He said, "I am so honored to be able to represent Korea and win a gold medal," and added, "When I got on the mound, I just thought that I would not give out any points. I trusted catcher (Cho) Hyeong-woo, who I had been working with on my team, and pitched, and he gave me the lead really well."
He gave a valuable gold medal gift to his teammates Cho Hyeong-woo and Jeong Jun-jae, and said, "I am not disappointed because I did not receive military service benefits. My military service was a turning point in my baseball life." He added, "I don't expect much from my teammates. I just want them to remember me as 'I was a pitcher who helped even a little.'" He smiled calmly.
Park Young-hyun, who won gold medals in two consecutive competitions following the 2022 Hangzhou Games, showed off his strong heart that did not waver even when the opposing batter hit a huge foul home run in the bottom of the 9th inning with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base.
Park Young-hyun said, "I didn't feel anything about hitting a foul ball at the time. It was just like, 'I hit it.'" He looked back and added, "There were unfortunate ball calls before that and the hit was because I threw an error, but I thought I could strike out the next batter anyway. All I could feel was my blood boiling on the mound."
Park Young-hyun, who served as a stepping stone in the 8th inning before Go Woo-seok (LG Twins) pitched in the 9th inning in the Hangzhou tournament three years ago, completed the heaviest firefighting task in this tournament.
Park Young-hyun said, "I threw without knowing what to do in Hangzhou, but this time I played with a much greater sense of responsibility. Last night, my brothers, who were desperate for military service benefits, could not sleep due to tension. I told them not to worry because I would definitely win the gold medal, and I am glad that I kept my promise and gave my friends and brothers the best gift."
