[Anchor]

Three days from now, the men's national basketball team, which will play the South Korean delegation's opening match at the Nagoya Asian Games, departed today (Sept. 7). Sung Jung-a, a legend of South Korean basketball and the mother of team ace Lee Hyun-jung, delivered a warm message of support to her son as he aims to follow in her footsteps and win a gold medal.

Reporter Kim Hyeong-yeol has the story.

[Reporter]

Sung Jung-a, the legendary center who led the team to a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a gold medal at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, finds it especially unique that her youngest son, Lee Hyun-jung, is now wearing the Taegeuk mark to chase a gold medal across generations.

[Sung Jung-a / Former National Team Player & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: It has already been 36 years since I stepped down from the national team following the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. For our family, I thought it would be truly wonderful if a gold-medalist mom could also have a gold-medalist son.]

While proud of her son—who shoulders the heavy responsibility of being the team's ace and continues to chase his dreams after signing a one-year non-guaranteed contract with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers—she also always feels a pang of sympathy for him.

[Sung Jung-a / Former National Team Player & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: Whenever I think about that child, there is a part of me that continually swells with emotion. When he sends messages like, 'Mom, don't worry. I'll give it my all until the end!']

Still, she places firm trust in Lee Hyun-jung on the court.

[Sung Jung-a / Former National Team Player & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: This might sound a bit funny, but I feel like every shot leaving Hyun-jung's fingertips is going to go in. I believe in Hyun-jung when it comes to his shooting.]

She says she is happier being called Lee Hyun-jung's mother than being remembered as basketball legend Sung Jung-a.

[Sung Jung-a / Former National Team Player & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: Life as Lee Hyun-jung's mother is so happy and wonderful. When I see people wearing Hyun-jung's jersey and cheering passionately, a deep sense of gratitude naturally wells up in my heart.]

Now, as her son departs for the battleground, she leaves him with advice as both a mother and a senior athlete.

[Sung Jung-a / Former National Team Player & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: Always watch out for injuries! That's my number one request. I hope you maintain your composure, coordinate well with your teammates as prepared, and finish the matches successfully.]

She sent him the most reassuring support in the world.

[Sung Jung-a / Former National Team Player & Lee Hyun-jung's Mother: Mom believes you can do well, and I will be cheering for you while watching your games. Stay strong and fighting! You know Mom loves you a lot, right? I love you!]

(Video Reported by Yoo Dong-hyuk, Video Edited by Park Jung-sam, Design by Hwang Se-yeon)