This spring, there was a couple who won the unified championship. The main characters are Go A-ra (35, 180 centimeters) of Asan Woori Bank and Bae Byung-joon (33, 191 centimeters) of Anyang Jeonggwanjang.
First, Go Ara's Woori Bank won the WKBL unified victory in the 2022-2023 season and lifted the trophy. Bae Byung-joon's Jung Kwan-gwan (former KGC) then won the 2022-2023 KBL unified championship, winning the title of the first unified winning couple.
The two entered the world of newlyweds with their wedding ceremony in May this year, but they did not spend as much time as any other couple due to offseason preparations. Still, they proved they were parakeets by expressing their love in their own way. Ko A-ra appeared at the stadium to watch Bae Byung-joon's practice game on his day off, and Bae Byung-joon sent a coffee car to Woori Bank's practice gym to celebrate his 700th day together in July.
Both are busy because the season has begun. Still, I was able to confirm the affection of the two at the stadium.
On the 24th, Go A-ra tied her basketball shoes tightly ahead of the game against Yongin Samsung Life Insurance. I saw something glistening through the strings of my basketball shoes. It's a wedding ring.
Ko A-ra said, "This season, my husband played in the Jones Cup and EASL (East Asian Super League) first. I ran with a ring on during the game. So I promised to run with a ring starting this season. I think I get more energy from running with sweet hair," he said with a smile.
The ring is not the only thing that receives the strength of her husband, who is away from Go-A. Go Ara said, "I wear three-quarter tights, and my husband's uniform number, 23, is written on it. I want to get some strength from my husband, so I wear tights with number 23 written on them," he added.
As the unified winning couple of last season, the team of Go A-ra and Bae Byung-joon is doing well. Woori Bank has won six consecutive games to take the top spot, while Chung Kwan-jang is in fourth place with nine wins and five losses. Unfortunately, Bae Byung-joon suffered a hamstring injury on the 19th and will be away for four weeks.
Ko A-ra said, "It hurts that I'm sick, but I hope my husband doesn't get sick without getting hurt and does well. I'm worried because there are a lot of injuries at the beginning of the season. Still, I believe he will do well when he returns because he has improved a lot now," he said with a smile.