Continuing Chairman Cho Yang-ho’s Passion for Table Tennis... The 5th Ilwoo Table Tennis National Tournament Held

The 5th Ilwoo Table Tennis National Tournament, named after the pen name of the late Cho Yang-ho, former chairman of Hanjin Group, was held over two days from August 29 to 30 at the Gyeyang Gymnasium in Incheon.

The Ilwoo Table Tennis National Tournament is hosted and organized by the Korea Table Tennis Association and sponsored by Hanjin Group. This year's tournament saw the participation of around 500 young male and female athletes from grades 1 to 6 in elementary school, who competed to showcase their skills. The competition was divided into three categories—grades 1–2, grades 3–4, and grades 5–6— and was conducted as individual leagues.

The late Cho Yang-ho, former chairman of Hanjin Group, playing in a charity table tennis tournament to help underprivileged neighbors. Hanjin Group

This tournament featured various programs commemorating Chairman Cho Yang-ho's dedication to the development of table tennis and his efforts toward nurturing young athletes. Approximately 20 photos highlighting his contributions to the advancement of table tennis were displayed in the corridor stretching from the entrance of the Gyeyang Gymnasium to the competition hall. In addition, a memorial video was shown during the opening ceremony, giving athletes and their families time to honor his memory and reflect on his legacy.

The Ilwoo Table Tennis National Tournament was launched in 2022 as part of a project to commemorate the late Chairman Cho Yang-ho, who passed away in 2019. This year marks its fifth edition. The event aims to honor his dedication and achievements in the development of table tennis, as well as to support young athletes in pursuing their dreams and growth through the sport.

After assuming the presidency of the Korea Table Tennis Association in July 2008, Chairman Cho Yang-ho devoted himself to the development of Korean table tennis until his passing in 2019. In addition to nurturing and supporting athletes, he worked on improvements in the system, such as training referees and coaches, which helped lay the foundation for the growth of table tennis in Korea. He also contributed to raising the nation's profile in the sport on the international stage.

The Korea Table Tennis Association plans to continue supporting the development of young athletes through this tournament. Outstanding coaches of top players will be awarded prize money, and players who achieve excellent results will receive scholarships. Additionally, participation in overseas training and international competitions will be supported. These efforts aim to improve athletes' performance and provide opportunities for them to gain valuable international experience.

Hanjin Group and the Korea Table Tennis Association plan to continue upholding the late chairman’s vision, further developing the Ilwoo Table Tennis National Tournament as a driving force for the growth of young athletes and the advancement of table tennis in Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.