WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - CZECHIA VS KOREA

March 5, 2026

Hyun Min Ahn

Tokyo Dome

Team Korea

Pregame Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I read that you trained last year in the Dominican Republic. What can you tell me about what you did down there and why you wanted to go train there and how it's different than perhaps what you do in Korea usually?

HYUN MIN AHN: Actually, I have not played at Dominican, never, but I just had an opportunity to work with. I never play the game, but I've been to Dominican, and all I did is just work out. So I have a similar experience visited to Dominican, but never played actual game. Thank you.

Q. Previous seasons you won the Rookie of the Year, and you selected at the All-Star Games and KBO All-Star games. Then you mentioned -- at that time you mentioned that for waiving to play at the WBC, and you selected to the national teams in last November. Then you made a roster. Then you are going to be the clean-up spot for the opening games. How do you feel about it?

HYUN MIN AHN: First of all, I have a responsible, and I feel pressure. I know myself how important the clean-up hitter is all about. When I played at high school and my first career in KBO leagues, I have always been battling with my pressures.

My game plan is not changing any and stay same and trying to go with the same approach as I am previously.

Q. The past games, first couple of games in Osaka, and you showed some powers, and you got a couple of great hit. On the other hand, I think your opponents will have a great report, scouting report. How do you battle about it? Also, by look at the way you play, we thought that you have a great fun. You have playing with some fun.

HYUN MIN AHN: Yes. I think I have asked the same question, and I am going to answer you the same questions. I'm trying to go for the same approach. Also, yes, there was so much fun playing with my great teammates, and I have a great condition.

Although the season hasn't been started yet, but I can say that my condition is very good, like as it is middle of the seasons. Also tonight's contest, I'm trying to have some fun, too.

Q. Three years ago you were not the WBC tournament in three years ago, and you are at the soldier Army programs. Previous three years, what was the major change for you to bring you to the national team's roster?

HYUN MIN AHN: Yes, as you mentioned, the last previous tournament I was at an Army, and I was -- making national team's roster is part of my dreams. One of my goal is making the roster for the 2026 WBC tournament.

I am trusting myself that I can do it, I can do it, and then I made it. It was sometimes I had a tough days, though, but I made -- I trusted truly to myself. I am very pleased what I have been doing -- what I have done in the past three years.

Then, also, I am also looking forward to my career in the future, too.

Q. Your skipper a while ago mentioned that this year's Team Korea roster is probably the strongest, the best of the best, among the history. By hearing the manager's comment, how do you evaluate today's roster?

HYUN MIN AHN: First of all, our skipper mentioned -- well, first of all, what I heard is the skipper is asking the coaches if I am good enough or not. Then I totally agree that we are the strongest among our past. We are very good at roster, and I have confidence as well.

We have a bunch of energy at the clubhouse, and our sky is the limit. We have unlimit possibility with some young players. Although we are young, but we have a very bright future. All of our roster, the team, is aiming to go for the semifinal of the tournament. Then we are expecting to go even better.

Q. Among the players, what kind of conversation you guys have? Also, if you have any specific message before the game start, can you share us, please?

HYUN MIN AHN: All of my teammates know 100% how important it is for the first game of the tournament, and what we have talk with my teammates is not only focusing the first game, but also trying to go, like, win all four games at the Tokyo round.

Although I am the very young player, so I have nothing to say as a message, but I'd like to see what I can do, and I would like to show all the people what I can do at the game.