"Just like during the WBC, I risked my life and devoted my entire life over the past two weeks. Now that we've won the targeted gold medal, I want to get some rest."

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun, who led the South Korean national baseball team to a milestone fifth consecutive Asian Games title at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, finally let go of his heavy burden and relaxed his expression.

South Korea defeated traditional rivals Japan 3-1 in the final held last night (the 27th) at Toyohashi Municipal Baseball Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to claim the championship.

Having reignited the struggling South Korean national baseball team by reaching the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March of this year, Manager Ryu wrapped up his duties as the national team skipper by hanging the gold medal around his neck in this tournament as well.

Meeting reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Manager Ryu first credited the fighting spirit of his players.

"The fruit of a gold medal in a short tournament never comes easily," Ryu said. "There is always an immense pressure that we must win any match against Japan, and I am truly proud of the players for overcoming that mental pressure and finishing on a high note."

The MVP of the tournament selected by Manager Ryu was undoubtedly Kwak 빈 (Doosan Bears), who pitched brilliantly as the starting pitcher in the final.

When asked to name the tournament MVP, Ryu pointed toward Kwak, who was in the middle of an interview, smiled, and said, "There he is." He raised his thumb, adding, "Kwak is the oldest player on this national team. He fulfilled his responsibility as the veteran until the end. There are simply no words of praise strong enough."

Kwak guarded the mound securely until the first out in the 7th inning, throwing 111 pitches and allowing just one run.

Manager Ryu stated, "He had a firm determination to take responsibility himself through the 7th inning. I respected that fighting spirit, but once they tied the game, his pitch count was too high, so I had no choice but to make a change."

Regarding the early exit of Japan's left-handed starting pitcher Higuchi Shin within three innings in the final—after he had handed South Korea a 0-5 shutout loss in the Super Round—Ryu credited the performance analysis team.

"Our performance analysis team prepared without getting a wink of sleep," Ryu explained. "Noticing that the umpires' strike zone was wider by a ball or two on the outside, we instructed our batters to stand closer to the home plate line at the front of the batter's box than usual. This strategy worked, causing the opposing pitcher to miss strike calls and rattle."

Manager Ryu did not forget to express gratitude to the support staff and professional clubs who quietly backed them through the harsh local conditions.

"There were many difficulties regarding the field, accommodations, buses, meals, and laundry, but we managed to overcome them thanks to the KBO Commissioner and staff who helped day and night," he said. "I also sincerely thank the 10 KBO League clubs for willingly releasing their key players even during a fierce race for the pennant race."

Looking back on the two weeks spent under intense tension, during which he remarked that "sleep is a luxury for a national team manager," Ryu concluded the tournament by saying, "With the seniors leading the younger players well both on and off the field, I have gained the conviction that the South Korean national baseball team has truly become 'healthy.'"