Basketball star Woo Ji-won credits brother's support for overcoming childhood injury

Basketball star Woo Ji-won revealed on TV CHOSUN's "All By Myself" how his older brother's devotion helped him overcome a fourth-grade arm fracture that doctors initially thought would end his career. The brother supported his training by clearing snow for practice and preparing lunch boxes for two years during high school.

Basketball star Woo Ji-won's ability to overcome physical limitations during his childhood was rooted in the dedicated support of his older brother. In a conversation between Woo Ji-won and his brother revealed through TV CHOSUN's "All By Myself," they shared stories of the difficult times they faced as an athlete and the familial love that sustained them.

Overcoming shooting angle variables caused by arm fracture through relentless practice

While in the fourth grade, Woo Ji-won suffered an arm fracture in a traffic accident. The injury was severe enough that doctors at the time diagnosed him as being unlikely to continue as a basketball player, and the resulting bend in his arm directly impacted his shooting motion. Recalling the situation, Woo Ji-won explained that he had to put in several times more effort than others to develop a way to shoot with his bent arm, stating, "The arm wouldn't fly straight, so I developed a way to adjust the angle in my own way."

He was able to overcome this physical defect thanks to his brother's assistance. Woo Ji-won revealed that whenever he wanted to continue practicing even on days with heavy snowfall, his brother would personally clear the snow to create a practice environment. His brother silently supported his training by catching balls at the hoop and helping with one-on-one practice.

Two years of lunch boxes: a brother's sacrificial devotion

Another scene demonstrating the bond between the brothers was the story of Woo Ji-won's lunch boxes during his high school years. While his mother was working to support the family, his brother prepared lunch boxes for about two years to match his younger brother's athletic schedule. Even though it was a time when he should have been focusing on his own studies as a high school student, the brother prepared the lunches to ensure his athlete brother had better side dishes.

"I can never forget the two years my brother packed my lunch boxes," Woo Ji-won said, expressing his gratitude. His brother also reminisced about the times he sacrificed for his brother, sharing his worries that he might not be able to provide the lunch on time if his younger brother overslept.

Tearful phone calls during family crises

The two also shared how much of a pillar they were to each other during difficult times the family faced in the past. The brother stated that he heard about the family's difficult situation through their mother and called his brother to offer comfort. At the time, the brother was in such a difficult state that it was hard to compose his emotions, but he reached out first because he wanted to hear his brother's voice.

Woo Ji-won said, "At the moment I had to make a difficult decision, my brother called, and I burst into tears." He added that the moment his brother burst into tears without saying a word provided more comfort than a hundred words and served as an opportunity to deeply feel the meaning of family.

Source: TVCHOSUN JOY (YouTube)