http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20041216/
310000000020041216172852E0.html
Former S. Korean Wrestling Champion Announces Switch to K-1
Choi Hong-man
By Yang Te-sam
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) — Choi Hong-man, an ex-champion of “Ssirum, ”
Korean traditional wrestling, announced Thursday his decision to join
the Japanese ring sport of K-1, saying he has retired from the Korean
sport.
“The continuing loss of Ssirum’s popularity makes me miserable…I
can’t stand it any more, “Choi said. “I tried hard to win popularity,
even going on a hunger strike which could be harmful to a muscular
athlete.”
Choi said he started leaning toward K-1 while he struggled for his team
to be saved by another corporate sponsor, but he found that fans were
losing interest in the Korean sport.
Wrestling Gear
