“We still don’t have enough trophies.”
OK Financial Group’s Leonardo Leiva Martinez (registered name Leo) won the men’s MVP award at the Dodram 2022-23 V-League All-Star Game held at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium on the 29th.
Leo won 15 of the 31 votes cast by the press. He is in his 5th season in the V-League, and he won the All-Star Game MVP trophy for the first time.
He narrowly beat KEPCO Shin Young-seok, who received 11 votes. In addition, Korean Air player Han got 3 votes, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Ahmed Iqbairi (registered name Ikbairi) and Woori Card Kim Ji-han got 1 vote each.
Leo scored a total of 7 points that day, adding strength to M-Star’s 53-52 (15-10, 10-15, 15-12, 13-15) victory.
Leo, who we met after the match, said, “The Z-Star team was also a great team. I could see the talent of the young players. Ultimately, it’s a difference in experience. So I was able to win.”
Ikhbairi, a Z-star outsider, held an active ceremony for each score. On the other hand, Leo seemed to focus on the game rather than showmanship. He played the game calmly.
Leo said, “Ikbairi is still a young player. He shows that in the game as well as now. I am ashamed and am I not getting older?” “I have been serious since before. Still, I think it’s good to show showmanship or something like this during the All-Star Game, which is not a season.”
Leo advanced to the finals by placing second in the preliminary round of the Serving Contest held the day before. However, Leo recorded 107 km in the first period and 108 km in the second period. He failed to reach the serve king behind Ik Bai Lee, who recorded 118 km. 메이저놀이터
Leo said, “I really wanted to win. Because I feel good these days. The coach said that I had to focus on weight for the second half, so it seems that it has not worked out because I have been focusing on weight lately.”
Leo is a player who won the regular league MVP for three consecutive years in the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 seasons. He also played an active part in the Samsung Fire Dynasty by reaching the championship match in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. He is now the MVP of the All-Star Game.
However, Leo said, “I gained a lot from Korea. Still, when I think about what I need the most after retirement, I think winning trophy is not enough. I want to lift the trophy more than winning a contest. It won’t be easy, but I will try my best to achieve my goal.”
