Go Woo-seok (25, LG) returned from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with painful memories. He took the mound in the bottom of the 8th inning against Japan 2-2 in the semifinals, but he guided the infield ground ball well from 1st base with 1 out, but he could not step on the base properly by entering the cover with 1st base. Ko Woo-seok, who failed to finish the inning by mistake, was shaken, and after creating a bases-loading crisis with two walks in a wild throw from the second out and first base, he allowed a sweeping double and became the decisive protagonist of the defeat.스포츠토토
This scene in which Ko Woo-seok, the best young finisher in the league, made a mistake he would never normally make, showed the pressure of the international competition and the Korea-Japan match.
With the 5th World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March, Go Woo-seok is recalling that memory. From the first two matches of the tournament, Korea faces Australia and Japan, which they must win. Ko Woo-seok is again standing in the center of the baseball team, which is starting again after two years following the Tokyo Olympics.
On the 21st, Go Woo-seok, who is training with the national team in Tucson, Arizona, USA, said, “There are memories that cannot be erased after playing many games. It’s not like trauma, but I think I made such a mistake at the Tokyo Olympics because of my lack of skills.” It seems arrogant to say that he did it just because he was nervous.”
Ko Woo-seok, who was a young finisher, reflected on himself after the Olympics and grew up a lot. Go Woo-seok, who made 30 saves for the first time that year, ascended to the throne in 2022 with 42 saves. He went out in 61 games and pitched with a 1.48 ERA and was reborn as the best finisher in the league. His ball has grown stronger and he has become much bolder in crisis situations.
Go Woo-seok said, “I was able to work harder and develop with that tournament as an opportunity. It seems that the thought that there was no ball I could choose in such an urgent situation became a stepping stone for effort and change.” “So I wonder what will happen to this tournament. I want to fight with confidence.”
Currently, the pitchers of the national team are in actual training without raising their pitching pace much due to the timing. Go Woo-seok, among others, is in good shape with his body and pitching condition. He pitched in his first practice game with NC on the 17th and threw 17, giving up one hit and no runs in one inning. He recorded a speed limit of 152 km and is smoothly adjusting his normal pace even in the actual fight, which started much earlier than in previous years.
Go Woo-seok said, “I checked last year’s camp schedule, and it’s about time to go into the 4th or 5th bullpen pitching and try to set up a live pitching schedule. I was worried because I went to the game quickly, but I’m glad I didn’t have any pain, and I think my pace is faster than I thought. I think I can go well without overdoing it,” he said.
Go Woo-seok is expected to play an active role as the finisher for the national team in this tournament as well. He is a pitcher who will be responsible for critical situations like the Tokyo Olympics. Go Woo-seok said, “Because of the pitch limit, he can’t go out the next day if he throws more than 30, but I think there will be situations where he has to throw even more than 30 if he can catch it. I will prepare well according to the situation,” he said.