Kanazawa Port Co., Ltd.
Korean ace Chang Woo-jin signs contract with Kanazawa Port: “I want to create new history together”
World-class Korean players participate in Kanazawa Port table tennis T League, which is in its second year of existence
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Kanazawa Port announced on the 31st that they have agreed to a player contract with Korean national team ace Chang Woo-jin.
Zhang Yujin is a South Korean ace who showed his competitive strength to the world by defeating China’s Wang Chuxin, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, in the semifinals of the February 2024 World Table Tennis Tournament in Busan. As of March 2024, he is ranked 12th in the world, the highest among Korean players.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/119504/11/resize/d119504-11-6108b8b747e34951729c-1.jpg&s3=119504-11-9c9936d686d289689d72a1525c5c7e4d-799×533.jpg] Photo: Chang Woojin/Courtesy: ittfworld
[Characteristics of Chang Woo-jin]
Born on September 10, 1995, 27 years old (as of April 2023), Chang Woo-jin is a right-hand shaker and back-drive type. He has an ultra-aggressive playing style characterized by a soft touch on the ball and a dynamic forehand that takes advantage of traditional Korean table tennis footwork.
At the 2013 World Juniors, he left a strong impression by defeating Chinese teams such as Liang Jingkun, Kong Lingxuan, and Zhou Yu to win the championship. For Chinese players, Zhang Yuzhen, who shows explosive power on the big stage, is one of the players to be most wary of, along with Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto.
The participation of world-class players with a track record of winning international tournaments in both singles and doubles will be a great asset for Kanazawa Port, which is vowing to fight back in its second season.
[Comment from Chang Woo-jin]
Even before I was active at the World Championships, I was
enthusiastically receiving offers from coaches. I chose this team because I wanted to create new history together with a new team and new motivation.
I am very excited and looking forward to participating in the T-League. I am well aware that table tennis is popular in Japan. I have received a lot of support from many people, and I would like to repay them with good results.
Aim for the season championship as a team.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/119504/11/resize/d119504-11-191279d7d4c0de2cf60b-3.jpg&s3=119504-11-a0c63893eb4b8d9bb04b781c7e95d9d9-799×533.jpg] Photo: Chang Woojin/Courtesy: ittfworld
[Comment from Director Akira Nishito]
This is our long-awaited acquisition of a world-class player. Kanazawa Port is determined to become a team that will surprise everyone this year.
In the recent World Championship team competition, Chang Woo-jin turned the pressure of being held in his hometown into strength and did a great job defeating the world champion Chinese player. I believe that he will carry the burden of the disaster-stricken area on his shoulders and make great strides even during the home match where Kanazawa Port is cheering loudly.
Please look forward to Kanazawa Port’s counterattack.
[Chang Woojin Profile]
Date of birth: 1995/09/10 (28 years old) *As of March 2024
Birthplace: South Korea
World ranking: 12th (as of March 2024)
Battle type: Right shake drive type
[Jang Woojin’s main achievements]
2013
World Junior Men’s Singles Champion
2017
ITTF World Tour Australian Open Men’s Doubles Winner
ITTF World Tour Poland Open Men’s Singles Winner
2018
ITTF World Tour Platinum Korean Open Men’s Singles/Men’s Doubles/Mixed Doubles Winner
(Korea) 72nd National Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis Championships Men’s Singles Winner
2019
(Korea) 73rd National Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis Championships, Men’s Singles/Men’s Doubles Winner
2020
ITTF Finals Men’s Singles 3rd place
2022
WTT feeder (Slovenia) Men’s singles/Men’s doubles champion
WTT Contender Muscat (Oman) Men’s Singles Winner
2023
WTT Star Contender Goa Mixed Doubles Winner
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