Time may add years, but for some sports stars, it only adds to their legacy. They continue to rewrite history with new records and unforgettable performances.
In the midst of the baseball season, Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles) is a prime example. Once a dominant force with overpowering stuff, the “Korean Monster” now relies on veteran savvy to shut down opposing lineups. As of May 12, he has four wins this season, tying for second in the category and placing seventh in strikeouts with 41. He also set a historic milestone last month, becoming the oldest player to reach 1,500 strikeouts in the fewest games in KBO history. After a win against the Kiwoom Heroes on May 12, he now has 199 combined wins in Korea and the U.S., just one shy of 200.
Relief pitchers in their 40s are also holding strong. Noh Kyung-eun (42, SSG Landers) and Kim Jin-sung (41, LG Twins) are key pillars of their bullpens. Noh, known as “Noh Kyung-eun’s Gun,” has recorded at least 30 holds for three consecutive seasons since 2023. He became the first player in his 40s to win the holds title in 2024 (38 holds) and the oldest holds champion in history in 2025 (35 holds). This season, he has a 1-2 record with 4 holds and a 3.12 ERA. Kim Jin-sung, a crucial part of LG’s championship runs in 2023 and 2025, has continued his solid performance with 3 wins, 5 holds, and a 3.78 ERA this season. Despite the team’s bullpen being weakened by closer Yoo Young-chan’s injury, Kim has tossed six consecutive scoreless outings, proving his worth.
In the Futures (minor) league, the oldest active left-handed pitcher, Ko Hyo-joon (43, Ulsan Wales), has shown no signs of decline. This season, he has 2 wins, 3 saves, 5 holds, and a 1.83 ERA. On April 11, he claimed a victory at 43 years, 2 months, and 3 days old, setting the record for the oldest win in both the KBO and minor leagues combined.
Among hitters, Choi Hyung-woo (42, Samsung Lions) seems to defy age. He is on a mission to rewrite KBO batting records. On May 3, he surpassed Son Ah-seop (2,622 hits) to become the all-time hits leader, and as of May 12, he has 2,634 hits, continuously breaking his own record. On May 9, he became the first player in KBO history to hit 550 doubles, and on May 10, he reached 4,500 total bases, another first. This season, he ranks near the top in almost every offensive category: third in batting average (.372, 48 hits in 129 at-bats), second in OPS (1.088), sixth in hits (48), and seventh in both home runs (7) and RBIs (28).
Another veteran hitter matching Choi Hyung-woo’s prowess is Choi Jeong (39, SSG). The epitome of consistency, Choi smashed a solo home run to left field on May 12 against kt wiz, marking his 21st consecutive season with double-digit home runs—a new record. The all-time home run leader in KBO history (528 as of May 12), Choi continues to extend his own milestones. He already has 10 home runs this season, ranking second in the league.
Beyond baseball, other sports also boast ageless wonders. In men’s professional volleyball, living legend Han Sun-soo (40, Korean Air) was named the 2025-2026 V-League regular season MVP on April 13, surpassing his own record as the oldest MVP, set three years earlier. The setter averaged 10.468 sets per set, ranking sixth in the league, and led his team to a unified championship.
In golf, Choi Kyung-ju (55), the pioneer of Korean men’s golf, continues to display sharp skills. In March, he tied for sixth at the PGA Tour Champions’ Colorguard Classic with an 11-under-par 202, earning his first top-10 finish of the season. After entering the PGA Tour in 1999, he set the record as the oldest winner on the KPGA Tour at the 2024 SK Telecom Open, proving the “Tank” is still rolling at 50.
