South Korea Baseball Team Arrives in Nagoya Seeking Fifth Straight Asian Games Gold

South Korea’s national baseball team arrived in the Nagoya area on Friday as it prepares to pursue a fifth consecutive Asian Games gold medal.

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun and his players reached Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname shortly before 1 p.m., three days before their first Group B game. The roster is built around players from the Korea Baseball Organization, and South Korea enters the tournament as one of the leading contenders.

Ryu said representing the country brings considerable responsibility, but he was encouraged by the team’s preparation and the mood among his players. He described feeling both excited and nervous upon arrival while voicing optimism about the campaign.

South Korea will open against Chinese Taipei at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Baseball Stadium in Okazaki. The team will then face Hong Kong at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Toyohashi Municipal Baseball Stadium before returning to Okazaki to play Thailand at noon on Sept. 23.

The early schedule gives the team little time to settle in, and recent heavy rain has complicated training plans. Tournament organizers had not confirmed South Korea’s Saturday practice venue as of Friday afternoon because they were working to repair grounds affected by repeated downpours.

Ryu said all eight participating teams faced the same conditions and expressed confidence that his players would adapt. Korea Baseball Organization officials have also secured access to an alternative field in case the team is not assigned an official training site in time.

Infielder Kim Do-yeong is expected to play a central role in the lineup. The Kia Tigers star, the KBO’s 2024 most valuable player and a contender for the award again this year, recently broke his nose when a bunt struck his face. He missed only one game, easing concerns about his availability before the national team’s trip.

South Korea’s bid carries the weight of a long winning run in Asian Games baseball. A fifth straight title would extend that dominance, but the team must first navigate a group-stage opener against Chinese Taipei and adjust quickly to the weather-related disruption around the host region.

The Asian Games are being held in and around Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, with Nagoya serving as the main host city. For Ryu’s squad, the immediate priorities are securing workable practice time, settling the batting order and entering Monday’s opener ready to defend Korea’s place at the top of the regional competition.