Team defeats Gyeonggi, Gangwon and South Gyeongsang high schools in succession
The Seoul Sports High School water polo team, widely considered the weakest contender heading into the competition, pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets by claiming gold at the 107th National Sports Festival.
The Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council announced Friday that the team defeated Gyeonggi Sports High School, Gangwon Province Sports High School and South Gyeongsang Province Sports High School in succession to take the top spot.
Seoul Sports High had been seen as outmatched by its rivals heading into this season, but the team quickly dispelled those doubts in the water. It beat Gyeonggi Sports High 12-8 in the quarterfinals, then staged a comeback in the semifinals on Tuesday, overturning a 5-6 deficit after two periods to defeat Gangwon Province Sports High 10-9.
In the final, the team routed South Gyeongsang Province Sports High 14-8 to clinch the gold medal. Some say the team's tight cohesion and teamwork, built through rigorous training, proved decisive in a sport that demands both physical endurance and seamless coordination among players.
Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council Chairman Kang Tae-sun said he was proud of the team for "refusing to be shaken by the pre-tournament assessments that put them at a disadvantage, and fighting all the way to win the precious gold medal at the National Sports Festival." He added that he hoped the victory would give the players a major confidence boost and serve as a springboard for student athletics and water polo in Seoul to reach a new level.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
