“The 20-year-old player played like a rookie.” It was coach Lee Hui-gul’s message to veteran Han Chae-jin (39, 174 cm). In fact, Han Chae-jin made an energy level comparable to that of a rookie by crossing offense and defense. Incheon Shinhan Bank also continued its two-game winning streak against Asan Woori Bank.
Han Chae-jin played as a starter in the Shinhan Bank SOL 2022-2023 Women’s Professional Basketball regular league home game against Woori Bank held at Incheon Dowon Gymnasium on the 30th, and played an active part with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Shinhan Bank won 74-72 with a winning shot by Sonia Kim (25 points, 12 rebounds), and tied for third place with Yongin Samsung Life Insurance, continuing its two-game winning streak against Woori Bank.
It was Han Chae-jin’s first victory over Shinhan Bank after setting a new record for her oldest appearance in the WKBL. Han Chae-jin played in an away game against BNK Sum in Busan on the 27th, breaking the record for her oldest appearance in the WKBL. Han Chae-jin’s record, including the Woori Bank match, is 38 years and 322 days. In second place was Tina Thompson at the age of 38 years and 314 days.
Han Chae-jin expressed the joy of her victory over Woori Bank, saying, “I am so very happy,” while also telling her secret story before she set a new record for the oldest participation.
We beat Woori Bank again. How do you feel?
I’m so very happy. Woori Bank is a great team. This player and that player are all good, but today it was a tougher match because even (Go) Ara did well. When we won the last confrontation, (Park) Hyejin and (Choi) Lee Saem were absent. I won, but my opponent wasn’t normal. Today, Woori Bank is also happy to win with all the players playing. I think the players gained the confidence that they can do it.
You sprained your right ankle at the end of the 4th quarter. Is it okay?
sick. I had a bad Achilles tendon, but since I had been injured once in the previous situation, there was more pain. When I was briefly replaced, the players told me to come out (to the court) quickly. On the one hand, I felt that the players needed me, so I was very grateful. 메이저놀이터
Did you recently break the record for the oldest run?
I’m happy, but the day before the game, my eyes were sore (laughs). So I think it will be more memorable. During training, (Kim) Jin-young, who was landing after a layup, collided with his head. Not seriously injured. I had some stitches on my eyebrows, but they were swollen afterwards. You could get hurt while working out, but Jinyoung was so sorry. Jinyoung comes to check on his condition every day.
By the middle of the season, his 3-point shooting percentage had dropped significantly.
It’s a bit cautious to say, but the composition of players has changed a lot. I spent a lot of time working with (Kim) Danbi, and (Lee) Kyeong-eun and (Kwak) Joo-young were also experienced players. There was a part where the unnies didn’t have to talk about it, but their breathing matched. It doesn’t mean that the new players couldn’t do it, but they didn’t have enough time to get along. So I had to be more stable in the game, but I am not a player who actively attacks. He is a strong defensive player. I took a step back and ran. He doesn’t shoot a lot, so he seems to have lost his sensitivity. It was all my problem. (I think your shooting sense has improved a lot lately?) The manager and coach told me to play aggressively even if I don’t go in. Even during practice, he said that I had to put it in to finish (laughs). As a result, the shot seems to be going in well.
※ Prior to the All-Star break, Han Chae-jin’s 3-point shooting success rate was only 8.3% (3/36) in 16 games. He never made a 3-pointer in two consecutive games. However, he left a success rate of 56.3% (9/16), including three-pointers in all four games played after the All-Star break. “I did weight training really hard to increase my strength before the league resumed,” explained Coach Lee Huigul.
There is not much time left for this season. What are your resolutions?
I have said the same determination every season. First of all, all players must finish the season without injury. If we go to the playoffs with the same focus as when we beat Woori Bank, I think we can set a bigger goal. If we stick together, we are a formidable team. The playoffs are short-lived, so we can do it too. I want to finish the season better than ever because my company is also in charge of a title sponsor.