[Anchor]
The men's national basketball team, which conquered the Asian Games, has returned home to a warm welcome. Player Lee Hyun-jung shared his joy with his mother, who won a gold medal in the same event at the same tournament 36 years ago.
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 and shedding hot tears to spend his greatest night, Lee Hyun-jung has returned with a bright smile and the gold medal around his neck.
[Lee Hyun-jung / National Basketball Team Player : Seeing the coach so happy made me tear up a bit. Since it was a victory achieved together as everyone sacrificed and accepted their roles, it touched my heart deeply.]
He also expressed 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 / National Basketball 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 so humble. I love you, Mom.]
As she watched her son surrounded by surging fans taking commemorative photos and swarmed by reporters, the mother wore a satisfied smile.
[Sung Jung-a / 1990 Asian Games Gold Medalist & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother : I'm proud. I don't know how he grew up so admirably and well. I didn't raise him like that, but he grew up well on his own.]
She expressed joy, saying her son's gold medal is the greatest 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 it's my sixtieth birthday this year, our Hyun-jung has given me a huge sixtieth birthday gift.]
The mother and son, who finally met face-to-face after a long time, shyly shared just a light hug, and his father, the head coach of Samil Commercial High School's basketball team, also embraced 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 pursuit of 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 you on all the way!]
(Photo: Yonhap News)
Reported by Lee Sang-hak | Video by Lee Hong-myeong | Graphics by Seo Seung-hyun
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