[Anchor]
The men's basketball national team, which conquered Asia, has returned amid enthusiastic cheers. Sung Jung-a, mother of national team player Lee Hyun-jung, who won a gold medal in women's basketball at the Asian Games 36 years ago, expressed her joy, calling her son's gold medal the best 60th birthday gift.
Reporter Kim Hyeong-yeol has the story.
[Reporter]
After leading South Korean basketball to its first gold medal in 12 years as the team's ace, Lee Hyun-jung, who spent the ultimate night shedding hot tears, returned with a bright face and a gold medal around his neck.
[Lee Hyun-jung / Basketball National Team Player: Seeing the coach so happy made me tear up a bit. Since this was a victory achieved together through everyone sacrificing and accepting their roles, it was quite moving.]
He also expressed his gratitude to his mother, Sung Jung-a, a senior basketball legend who won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a gold medal at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.
[Lee Hyun-jung / Basketball National Team Player: Compared to what my mother achieved, I still have a long way to go. It is truly an honor to have someone in the family who can keep me humble. I love you, Mom.]
Watching her son take commemorative photos with crowding fans and get surrounded by reporters, the mother wore a proud smile.
[Sung Jung-a / 1990 Asian Games Gold Medalist, Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: I am proud. I don't even know how he grew up to be so dependable and wonderful. I didn't raise him to be like this, he just grew up well on his own.]
She expressed her joy, calling her son's gold medal the best gift of her life.
[Sung Jung-a / 1990 Asian Games Gold Medalist, Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: Naturally, Hyun-jung winning the gold medal makes me happier (than my own gold medal). Since I am turning 60 this year, our Hyun-jung gave me a huge 60th birthday gift.]
The gold medal mother and son, facing each other after a long time, shyly shared a light embrace, and his father, head coach of the Samil Commercial High School basketball team, also hugged and congratulated his student and son.
Having shared the joy of the gold medal with his family, Lee Hyun-jung will leave for the United States in five days to continue his challenge toward the NBA.
[Sung Jung-a / 1990 Asian Games Gold Medalist, Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: Hyun-jung, go ahead and happily pursue the challenge you love to the very end. Mom will be cheering for you all the way!]
(Video Reported by Lee Sang-hak | Video Edited by Lee Hong-myeong | Design by Seo Seung-hyun)
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