'I just need recognition'
The ceremony to honor the Vietnamese shooting team on October 18 caused a strong reaction when the Vietnam Shooting Federation, although giving certificates of merit and awards to athletes and coaches such as Pham Quang Huy, Lai Cong Minh, Phan Cong Minh, Hoang Xuan Vinh, "forgot" expert Park Chung-gun - the teacher who has been closely associated with and has made many contributions to Vietnamese shooting.
On the afternoon of October 18 , Mr. Park Chung-gun sat quietly at a corner of the table. The Korean expert did not show much emotion during the ceremony where his students took turns receiving certificates of merit, expressing their thanks, and the leaders talked about their achievements and the hardships they went through to win the 19th ASIAD medal.
But the name Park Chung-gun was not mentioned even once. He quietly left before the ceremony ended, his eyes filled with tears. The group photo of the entire Vietnamese shooting team on the afternoon of October 18, obviously, did not include Mr. Park.
"What did you feel at that moment? Frustration, disappointment, or just swallowing your sadness and letting it go?", I started the conversation with Mr. Park Chung-gun. The Korean expert smiled, but it was a bitter smile.
"You can call it sadness or disappointment," coach Park Chung-gun recalled.
As he told the story, he looked at the drink menu and ordered: "A mango smoothie." You heard right, the middle-aged Korean man said the words "mango smoothie" clearly, not in Korean or English, but in Vietnamese. Having lived in Vietnam for 10 years, Mr. Park does not speak Vietnamese fluently, but he loves to use it to express closeness.
Mr. Park said he likes the feeling when his students like Pham Quang Huy or Trinh Thu Vinh call him "teacher". "That's how they call me, teacher, teacher very affectionately". I not only love the country and people of Vietnam, but also love my job, love the relationships that my job has brought me".
He was overwhelmed with joy when Pham Quang Huy won the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games, even though Huy defeated his fellow countryman (athlete Lee Woo-ho) to become the champion. Mr. Park said that it was the result of his training and perseverance before the tournament.
Coach Park Chung-gun and the writer
Yet on the day of the award, Mr. Park Chung-gun did not receive even a word of thanks. Everyone knew of the presence of the Korean expert, but on the award podium today, beside the bouquets of fresh flowers waiting, there was nothing for him.
"I feel sad, but please understand this. I don't need money, not even a single cent. What I need is respect, the honor of someone who does his job with all his heart," Coach Park Chung-gun said clearly, distinctly, and wrote the word "respect" into Google's translation tool, to make sure I understood the word correctly.
Shooter wins first ASIAD 19 gold medal for Vietnam: A family man, student of coach Hoang Xuan Vinh
Teacher's heart
Having been involved in Vietnamese shooting since 2006 at the request of the Korean Shooting Federation, Coach Park Chung-gun has trained many generations of talented shooters. Although his job in Korea is stable and he is close to his family, he still decided to come to Vietnam.
Expert Park Chung-gun has guided Vietnam's shooting team since the most difficult days, when the shooting team lacked bullets, lacked electronic targets, and everywhere they looked there was a shortage. In sports, facilities are indeed very important, just look at the world-class athletes who are equipped "to the teeth" to understand how necessary this factor is.
But Mr. Park believes that the core factor to victory in sports is still people. And the Korean expert came to Vietnam, had days of sweat, tears and hardship with many generations of shooters, thanks to "faith" and professional pride that even he himself cannot explain.
"People often talk about technique, but remember, sports require psychology. Athletes must build a good psychological foundation and have a strong will. As a teacher, I must love and understand the athletes like a father. Sometimes I listen and confide in them like a friend," coach Park Chung-gun analyzed.
Coach Park Chung-gun cherishes memories with student Hoang Xuan Vinh
When he mentioned the word “father,” he choked up. The Korean expert pointed to his head and said that what connects people is emotion and heart. Listening to the emotions and understanding the thoughts and feelings of athletes is the most difficult thing.
For many years, Mr. Park Chung-gun was there to encourage and help his students strengthen their spirit. "We are all human, and as humans, we cannot help but feel tired, scared, anxious or want to give up. But what makes a good athlete different is being steadfast. I listen, encourage them and help them overcome difficulties as a companion, it's that simple."
Mr. Park Chung-gun told about his memories with Hoang Xuan Vinh at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The two teachers and students hugged each other happily after the historic gold medal, but Mr. Park quickly brought his student back to earth with some advice.
"Remember, when you achieve success, the first thing you think about is never money or glory. As athletes, let's learn to be grateful. Put your hand on your heart and thank your country, those who helped you achieve this success, your family, your friends. Always look around with a heart full of love and gratitude. Understanding who you owe your success to, you will always be humble, brave and keep moving forward," Mr. Park recalled.
That is also the advice that the Korean expert gives to all the students he guides and loves. Teaching students to win medals at the ASIAD and Olympics is difficult, but to guide them to become kind and humble people is to be a true teacher.
Suddenly I asked him if he thought he had made history for Vietnamese shooting, that without Park Chung-gun, there would be no gold medal at the 2016 Olympics or the 19th ASIAD.
Mr. Park smiled, the gentle smile of a Korean uncle. "Yes, it's history, but that doesn't matter. My greatest happiness is to see my students grow up, become polite people, and know how to say thank you." He wants them to always look at life with a progressive and grateful attitude, and people to look at them with sympathy and encouragement.
Not a "machine" to earn medals or achievements.
Coach Park is respected by his students
"You know, I don't want people to judge athletes just by the medals. Each athlete has their own development cycle, ups and downs, successes and failures. If we judge them only by the medals, it's not fair to them. I'm not like others, I judge athletes by the whole process, measuring every drop of sweat, tears and effort they put in. That's really the heart of a teacher, and I think that's how a teacher should look at their athletes. With the spirit of sportsmanship, with a tolerant and patient heart. Treat each other honestly, never lie. An environment full of lies will lead nowhere," coach Park Chung-gun recounted.
Love Vietnam with all my heart
Mr. Park's thoughts stopped when I mentioned the contract. His contract will expire at the end of October. "Have you thought about returning to Korea or staying in Vietnam to continue contributing?", I asked.
Mr. Park Chung-gun thought for a long time. The decisiveness and directness of the shooting teacher was no longer there, when he said halfway that he was still full of hesitation and thought. He was thinking not because of the honor ceremony, but also because the way people treat each other, perhaps there is something incomplete.
"I will think carefully, then work with the Department of Sports and Physical Training. Whether I stay or go is not important, really. The most important thing is to build a scientific, methodical sports environment, along with a culture of knowing how to say thank you. Gratitude will do everything. I want my students to understand that. Don't turn your back on those who have wholeheartedly helped you," said Mr. Park Chung-gun.
After a long story, Coach Park looked at each patch of sunlight as Hanoi entered autumn. He said he had fallen in love with this country and its people, so even though he had given up his youth to pursue a career in shooting coaching, perhaps Coach Park would not regret it.
"If I leave the shooting team, I will stay in Vietnam. Everything here is great. I have Korean friends, and my close brother Park Hang-seo. I want to enjoy every moment. As for the future, maybe we have to wait a bit longer," Park Chung-gun concluded the story.
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