Cho Sang-woo (29), who returned to Kiwoom Heroes after completing his military service as a social worker for two years, appeared at Incheon Airport looking noticeably sharper .Cho Sang-woo, who is participating in the club’s spring camp held in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA for the first time in three years, met with reporters on the 29th and said, “I exercised hard while serving in the military. Even after I was discharged, I exercised without resting. I think I lost more than 15 kg.” “He explained. Cho Sang-woo, who played as a top relief pitcher in the league with a fastball exceeding 150 km per hour, began his military service as a social worker after the 2021 season ended. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in 2021, Cho Sang-woo fought hard in every game, but was unable to receive military service benefits because the Korean baseball team failed to win a medal. Cho Sang-woo, who worked at a nursing home in Guro-gu, Seoul from early 2022 to the end of last year, did not neglect exercise even while serving.

He explained, “I worked hard during my service, and even after I was discharged, I exercised without resting. At first, I only thought about losing about 10 kg, but as I continued to exercise, I lost a little more .”Cho Sang-woo emphasized that his current weight is optimal for maintaining his skills as a pitcher. He showed a satisfied smile, saying, “I think I just need to maintain this level (even during the season).”Compared to hitters, it is easier for pitchers to regain their original skills after a hiatus. All you have to do is throw a powerful ball into the strike zone. Cho Sang-woo, who joined the team in 2013 and pitched non-stop with 33 wins, 24 losses, 82 saves, 45 holds, and an ERA of 3.11 in 299 games over eight seasons until 2021, had a ‘rest’ on his shoulder for two years .Jo Sang-woo expressed confidence, saying, “First of all, I think I need to pick up the pace in camp. For a pitcher, physical condition is more important than actual feel. I worked hard to build my body, so I think I’ll be fine. “Cho Sang-woo completed personal training in Miyazaki, Japan this month to improve his pitching sense. He said, “I think I can go to Japan and throw a lot of balls and then slowly raise the pitch (at the Arizona camp),” adding, “There’s nothing to worry about (practical sense). Now is the time to pick up the pace. ”Cho Sang-woo’s position has not yet been decided.

Since Lim Chang-min, who guarded Kiwoom’s tailgate last year, transferred to the Samsung Lions, Cho Sang-woo is likely to take on the role of firefighter, his original position .Cho Sang-woo said, “I think it would be good to be a closing pitcher,” but added, “I need to show a good performance in camp. I will try my best .”Because the team is so short of starting pitchers, some are cautiously raising the possibility of ‘cho’ Sang-woo being appointed as a starter .In the past, Cho Sang-woo also had experience playing as a starting pitcher. However, he said, “If you want to be selected, you need to change the way you build your body. I haven’t thought about (selection) yet, and I think I’ll go to the middle or the end .”Cho Sang-woo will acquire free agent status at the end of next season .There is little talk that he dreams of playing in the MLB, like Oh Seung-hwan (Samsung Lions), who previously joined the St. Louis Cardinals of the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), and Go Woo-seok, who wore the San Diego Padres uniform this year .Cho Sang-woo said, “I have to do well to 스포츠토토존 get such an opportunity, so for now, I will work hard through the season.”