Hankyong National University Secures Individual Singles Title at 62nd National University Soft Tennis Spring League

SUNCHANG, South Korea — Hankyong National University (HKNU) continues to cement its status as a powerhouse in collegiate soft tennis, with reports indicating a major victory at the 62nd National University Soft Tennis Spring League. The tournament, which concluded on April 11 in Sunchang, saw HKNU’s Park Sang-woo, a fourth-year student, claim first place in the individual singles category.

The victory in Sunchang serves as a capstone for a program that has consistently dominated the national circuit. For global readers unfamiliar with the sport, soft tennis is a variation of tennis played with softer balls and specialized rackets, emphasizing control and strategic placement over the raw power found in traditional tennis. In the collegiate ranks, HKNU has emerged as one of the most formidable programs in South Korea.

A Trajectory of Excellence for Park Sang-woo

Park Sang-woo’s ascent to the top of the podium in the Spring League is a testament to a steady upward trajectory. Over the past year, Park has been a constant fixture in the final rounds of major competitions, gradually closing the gap between a podium finish and a championship title.

University records show that during the 61st Prime Minister’s Cup held in Okcheon, Park secured a third-place finish in the individual singles event. He followed that performance by climbing to second place in the individual singles at the 2025 National University Soft Tennis Autumn League in Sunchang. His eventual gold-medal performance at the 62nd Spring League demonstrates a level of consistency and mental fortitude that has become the hallmark of the HKNU program.

The HKNU Dynasty: Beyond Individual Success

While Park Sang-woo has captured the spotlight in singles, the broader Hankyong National University soft tennis team has maintained an aggressive pursuit of excellence across all formats. The program’s depth is evident in its dominance of the doubles circuit and team standings.

The team’s recent history is marked by a string of high-profile achievements:

• The 61st Prime Minister’s Cup: First-year student Park Jae-hyuk and second-year student Park Sang-hyun captured first place in the individual doubles event, proving that the program’s success is being passed down to its youngest athletes.
• The 2025 Autumn League: In addition to Park Sang-woo’s silver, the duo of Park Jae-hyuk and second-year student Kwak Jun-soo secured a third-place finish in individual doubles.
• The 62nd Presidential Cup: In July, the program achieved a dual milestone, taking second place in the team competition and securing first place in the individual singles category.

This pattern of success across different tournaments—from the Prime Minister’s Cup to the Presidential Cup—indicates a systemic approach to training and recruitment under the guidance of the university’s leadership and coaching staff.

Coaching and Program Philosophy

The architectural force behind this success is Coach Kwon Young-tae. Under Kwon’s leadership, HKNU has transitioned from a competitive participant to a “prestigious team” (명문팀) within the Korean collegiate landscape. The program emphasizes a balance between individual brilliance and team cohesion, as seen in the simultaneous success of its singles and doubles specialists.

The university, led by President Lee Won-hee, has provided the necessary institutional support to elevate the team’s profile, ensuring that the athletes can compete at the highest national levels. The team’s ability to perform consistently in Sunchang—a recurring venue for these championships—suggests a strong familiarity with the local conditions and a psychological edge over their opponents.

To provide some context for those following the collegiate circuit, the intensity of these leagues often serves as a barometer for the upcoming national games, where the stakes are significantly higher and the competition includes the top talent from across the entire country.

Looking Ahead: The National Sports Festival

With the Spring League concluded, Coach Kwon and his squad are not resting on their laurels. The team has already shifted its focus toward the 106th National Sports Festival, the final and most prestigious event of the season. Given their current momentum and the peak form of athletes like Park Sang-woo, HKNU enters the final stretch of the year as a primary contender for the title.

The team’s ability to maintain peak performance from the Spring League through the Autumn and into the National Sports Festival will be the ultimate test of their depth, and endurance.

For more updates on the program’s progress, fans and alumni can follow official announcements via the Hankyong National University official portal.

Next Checkpoint: The team is currently preparing for the 106th National Sports Festival. Official brackets and scheduling for the event are expected to be released in the coming weeks.