"If I Can't Come Through, I Might as Well Die": The Game-Winning Hit That Unlocked the Gold—But Why Did KIM Do-young Lower His Head? [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] He delivered a priceless game-winning hit that secured the gold medal in the heart of Japan. Yet KIM Do-young (Kia Tigers), the 'genius hitter' who rules the KBO League, wore an expression of deep self-reproach rather than elation.
The South Korea national baseball team, led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun, defeated archrival Japan 3-1 in the baseball final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Toyohashi Municipal Stadium in Aichi Prefecture on the 27th, capturing its fifth consecutive title in the event.
The game turned in the 'promised eighth,' with the score tied 1-1. A double by Kim Ji-chan (Samsung), a sacrifice bunt and a walk by Kim Ju-won (NC Dinos) created a desperate two-out opportunity with runners on first and third. KIM Do-young stepped to the plate and drove a blistering ground-ball infield single toward the third baseman, bringing the runner from third home. It was a crucial game-winning hit that finally broke through Japan's resilient pitching. South Korea, now riding the momentum, completed the 3-1 victory with an insurance RBI hit by Moon Bo-kyung (LG) and a flawless save by closer Park Yeong-hyun (KT).


Yet the player whose game-winning hit put South Korea atop the podium lowered his head in remorse after the game. Meeting with reporters, KIM Do-young said, "I feel good about winning the gold medal, but honestly, I still feel uneasy deep down." He then laid bare his painful self-reproach: "I am so sorry to the manager and coaching staff, my teammates, and the fans. They must have expected much more from me, and I can only apologize because I don't think I repaid those expectations at all."
The determination in his bat was unmistakable. After flying out to left with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the second, KIM Do-young unleashed a ferocious roar on the basepaths immediately after his eighth-inning game-winning hit, unlike his usual reaction. His mentality in that moment was one of utter desperation.
KIM Do-young said, "I thought it was a crucial moment. If I failed to come through again, the team's spirits could completely collapse. I pushed myself to the brink. I stepped into the batter's box thinking only, 'If I can't produce a result here, I might as well die.'" His words captured the crushing pressure of wearing the national emblem on his chest.


Just before the tournament, he suffered a serious broken nose in a game for his club but showed extraordinary grit by undergoing surgery and forcing his way onto the national team. Yet his self-assessment was merciless. He hit .250 (6-for-24) over six games in the tournament and was so disappointed in himself that even the glory of his game-winning hit could not erase it.
KIM Do-young offered a blunt assessment: "I felt as if I had to start over from the very beginning. Even with the gold medal, I was deeply disappointed in myself. It was a terrible experience I never want to go through again for the rest of my life." Still, he bit his lip and added, "The only consolation is that this tournament became a painful turning point that allowed me to grow to the next level. If I am given another chance to wear the Taegeuk emblem at an international tournament, I will definitely make amends then."

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