Kabaddi: Lee Jang-Kun Pro Kabaddi League's Korean connection

     

    Hardly anyone thinks of Korea when it comes to Kabaddi playing nations. However, Lee Jang-Kun, a Young Kabaddi player from Busan, Korea, has proved the proved Korea’s potential in the world of Kabaddi

     

    Kabaddi new star : South Korea Kabaddi new star : South Korea

    The 29-year-old caught the Kabaddi fans' attention when he was acquired by Bengal Warriors in 2014, making him the first Korean player to be acquired by a Pro Kabaddi League franchise. 

    Jang Kun Lee began his career for the South Korean national Kabaddi team at the age of 18 while he was studying physical education at Dong-eui University. The team won the bronze medal at the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The following year, Korea defeated Pakistan to win their first top-level international Kabaddi bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games. 

    Lee impressed the Pro Kabaddi League selectors and coaches with his performance in the 2014 Asian Games and was acquired by the Bengal Warriors for the league's inaugural season in 2014. He played 11 matches during the tournament and gave a phenomenal performance, racking 55 raid points and two tackle points during the tournament. He was retained by Bengal Warriors for INR 80.3 lakh in the 2017 Pro Kabaddi League, making him the most expensive foreign player of the season.

    The South Korean played with the Bengal Warriors for five more seasons and was released before the 2019 Pro Kabaddi league.

    The 29-year-old raider was then acquired by Patna Pirates, he was further retained by the team for INR 20.5 lakhs ahead of the eighth season of the Pro Kabaddi League but decided to not take part in the tournament citing personal reasons.

    As of April 1, 2022, Lee has played 111 Pro Kabaddi League matches, racked up 480 raid points in 1050 total raids and scored 48 tackle points with an average strike rate of 39.24%.

    Lee Jang Kun helped the Korean national team win the bronze at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup and was declared the MVP of the tournament. He was given the captaincy of the Korean national squad ahead of the 2018 Asian Games. Under his captaincy, the Korean national team won the silver medal during the tournament.

    Following his success, many more Koreans have gained interest in the sport. Several other South Koreans such as Dong Geon Lee have gotten the opportunity to play in the tournament and are now a regular sight in the tournaments.

     

    Editor's Picks