While many individual Olympic athletes are worth mentioning, so are some professionals who hope that 2012 will be the year they break through to the top levels of their chosen sports.
Lee Dae-ho
Lee Dae-ho Lee Dae-ho is regarded as one of the best-known baseball players in Korea. He had his best season with the Lotte Giants in 2010 with 44 home runs and 133 RBIs to win the MVP award. The 29-year-old signed a two-year deal worth $9 million with the Orix Buffaloes earlier this month, and will play in the Japanese League in 2012.
Ki Sung-yueng
Ki Sung-yueng The national team midfielder is one of Korea’s most promising talents. He was recently named one of the country’s footballers of the year by the Korea Football Association. The 22-year-old, who joined the Scotland’s Celtic FC, in December 2009, has netted six goals for Celtic so far this season, and is hoping to carry on his momentum in the Scottish Premier League next year.
Choi Na-yeon
Choi Na-yeon
Choi Na-yeon won the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in October, beating the reigning world No. 1 Yani Tseng by one shot. It was her fifth victory in her three-year career in the LPGA tour, also was the 100th LPGA title for a Korean or Korean-American player. The world No. 4 golfer is now looking to add more titles to her tally in 2012.
By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldm.com)
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
