(LEAD) Choi Won-jun breaks KBO's single-season hits record

Choi Won-jun of the KT Wiz broke a single-season hits record in South Korean baseball Wednesday.

Choi collected his 203rd hit of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season against the Samsung Lions at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, just south of Seoul, to break the previous mark of 202 set by Victor Reyes of the Lotte Giants in 2024.

Choi and Reyes entered their respective games Wednesday with 201 hits apiece. Choi got his 202nd knock in the bottom of the fifth inning with a double, moments before Reyes picked up his against the Kia Tigers at Sajik Baseball Stadium in the southeastern city of Busan.

And Choi got to No. 203 first with a bloop single to left field off Lee Seung-hyun in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Choi then collected his 204th hit with an RBI single in the bottom eighth.

Reyes pulled within one of Choi with a single for his 203rd hit in the bottom ninth at Sajik.

Reyes has a chance to finish the season with more hits than Choi. After Wednesday, the Giants will have four games remaining, while the Wiz will only play two more games.

Reyes has not missed a game since joining the Giants in 2024. He is the first player in KBO history with multiple 200-hit seasons.