Trends rivals Kyungpook National High School Baseball Team and Daegu Sangwon High School met on an outhouse bridge en route to the 51st Bonghwangdae National High School Baseball Championship.
The rivalry between the two teams began at the 5th Bonghwangdae. After winning back-to-back titles in 1973 and 74 and reaching the final in 1975, Daegu Sangwon High School (then Daegu Sanggo) was on the verge of becoming the first team in history to win three consecutive titles. However, Daegu Sangwon Go was prevented by Gyeongsangbuk-do from keeping the green phoenix in perpetuity. Since then, no team has won three consecutive titles in the past half-century. Gyeongsangbuk-do regained its status as a high school baseball powerhouse that year by winning the Bonghwangdae and Cheongryonggi titles.
Forty-eight years later, in 2023, Daegu Sangwongo celebrated its 100th anniversary. Gyeongsangbuk-do is looking to win its first phoenix championship in eight years since 2015. The two team captains, Lee Jun-ho (Kyungpook National University) and Kim Seung-kwan (Daegu Sangwon High School), are best friends from the same class in 1976.
When Kim Seung-kwan’s father passed away in May, Lee Jun-ho was the first to visit the funeral and stand by Kim’s side, and the last to see him off on his induction day.
“We always meet like this at important crossroads,” Lee said with a laugh, then added, “In a rivalry game, no reason can justify losing. It’s a burdensome game that only speaks to the result.” “I think our players’ desire to play is stronger than ever, so I think there will be a good result,” he said, making it clear that he has no intention of backing down from his best friend.메이저놀이터
In the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, the matchup between the two teams is known as the ‘traditional Iljeon’
The battle between the two teams cannot be explained by power alone. Neither team is stronger nor weaker than the other, and victory or defeat cannot be easily predicted. Nam Woo-sik, Kim Sung-rae, Ryu Jung-il, Lee Seung-yup of Gyeongbuk University and Jang Hyo-jo, Kim Si-jin, Im Man-soo, Yang Jun-hyuk of Daegu Sangwon University became rivals.
Coach Kim Seung-kwan said, “Everyone remembers our relationship with Kyungpook National University in the phoenix tale,” adding, “This time, we will repay the debt of the ’75 final.” He predicted an all-out battle. The match between the two teams will be held at Mokdong Stadium on April 4 at 3 pm.