"I had a lot of fun without lingering feelings." After winning two titles, I'm now the mother of my daughter... Go-A-ra in a beautiful retirement ceremony
A beautiful retirement ceremony was held amid many celebrations.
Asan Woori Bank Woori WON lost 54-61 to Bucheon Hana Bank in the women's professional basketball regular league of 2024-2025 at Asan Yi Sun-shin Gymnasium on the 21st.
Woori Bank wrapped up its regular league schedule with the end of the game. As the ranking has been confirmed, players who have not played much in the game have stepped on the court.
Before the game, a meaningful event was held. The retirement ceremony of Go A-ra, who left the court at the end of last season after continuing her long professional career since 2007, took place. Go A-ra, who played for Woori Bank in the early days of her career, rejoined her former team ahead of the 2022-2023 season, contributed to two wins and decided to retire.
Both team coaches congratulated Ko A-ra, who left the court and made a fresh start, before the game.
Coach Wi Sung-woo said, "I was supposed to have had a retirement ceremony early in the season, but I couldn't afford to do so. I felt again that he has a great personality as he told me that winning is more important than winning the game. He was the best athlete of his time. He had a great defense sense and played a good role when he won the championship. I am married and doing well, so I want to congratulate him on finishing the game well."
Director Kim Do-wan also said, "I was with Ara when I was with Samsung Life Insurance. She showed a lot of determination to work hard in her own way and improve herself as a team. She finished it well and met a good spouse and started a family. I want to say that you worked hard and you are doing well. I hope you have a good family and live a happy life."
Veteran Kim Jong Un, who was a member of Woori Bank, also applauded, saying, "I am so lucky to be able to see the retirement ceremony. I made good memories and felt a lot of camaraderie through hard training. I was scolded for holding back tears. I also felt that there was not much time left."
Go A-ra's retirement ceremony was attended by her husband Bae Byung-joon, her family, and even her daughter, who was born not long ago. Woori Bank delivered the golden key with a bouquet of flowers, and Go A-ra thanked her fans and said, "If I have a wish, I would like to remember that there was no player who liked basketball like Go A-ra and was passionate."
Go A-ra, who was interviewed separately after the retirement ceremony, expressed her gratitude to Coach Wi Sung-woo and Woori Bank for visiting her at a difficult time. Go A-ra met Woori Bank again at the risk of her retirement and contributed to the victory with her last passion.
Ko A-ra said, "It's really meaningful that a player can finish after the retirement ceremony. As you know, I almost quit two or three years ago, but thanks to Woori Bank, I'm so grateful for winning twice and doing a great job at the retirement ceremony. I really thank Coach Wi Sung-woo, Coach Jeon Ju-won, Coach Lim Young-hee, and the team's staff, including the secretary general and the deputy manager."
Go A-ra, who could not easily reach victory during her professional career, won two trophies in the end. Being able to win the title as a player was very meaningful to Go A-ra.
When asked about his most memorable moment in his career, Go A-ra also said, "The moment I won the championship was the most memorable," and added, "It was my first win in my life, and it was too long before I won. I thought I would retire without winning, but I think that moment is really memorable because I won the championship by an accident. It's meaningful and I'm just grateful that I was able to win the championship as a player."
Kim Jong Un, who shared his first victory, delivered a congratulatory bouquet to Go A-ra on the day as representative of the opposing team. Kim also appeared to hold back tears as he approached Go A-ra to give her a bouquet of flowers.
"Kim contacted me even before I came to the stadium and told me, 'I think I will cry when I see you. I'm power F.' (Laughs) It was a short time, but maybe because we were having a hard time, we were of the same age and had a lot of things in common. Actually, nothing good happened while dealing with my sister before I met her in the same team. Wasn't she such an ace? (Laughs) Fortunately, I was able to learn more deeply from Woori and know that you are a good person," Ko said in expressing gratitude.
During the break period, her husband Bae Byung-joon, who is in the season, also visited the scene with his daughter to celebrate his wife's last, and Go A-ra's father also shed tears.
Ko A-ra said, "My husband was able to come this far because he was by my side during the most difficult times in his basketball life, as I said at the retirement ceremony. He always says a lot of good things to me even now. Dad and mom must feel special because they watched the hard time from the closest distance. Rather, I'm worried that my parents will feel empty more than me, but shouldn't you watch my husband play and my child play basketball when he grows up?"
Regarding Woori Bank's cruising this season, he said, "Even before the start of the season, people around me told me that Woori Bank would win. As expected, I didn't think differently, and I knew how the players, coaches, and coaches tried and practiced, so both the players who endured the training and the leading coach are amazing. Now that I have to wear the championship ring, I hope I can focus more and finish it well without injury even if it's hard."
Go A-ra held her daughter, who was just three months old, and engaged in an interview with sincerity. Seeing her fall asleep in the arms of Go A-ra, she felt completely different from her days as an athlete. Go A-ra, who is concentrating on raising children, seemed to have successfully started anew. 스포츠토토