Korean female volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung, currently playing for the Turkish team Fenerbahce, helped win the final game of the Turkish Cup in Ankara on Jan. 18. Her team was facing Vakifbank, with its player Zhu Ting. Fenerbahce won by a set score of 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-19) and received the trophy.

Kim proved why she earned her nickname “Empress of Volleyball.” During the final game, she was the highest scorer with 15 points, two points higher than her rival. In the semi-final against Eczacibasi, which took place the day before, Kim scored 25 points, five more than Tatiana Kosheleva, another rival. Fenerbahce won by a set score of 3-1 in the semi-final.

The three star players are currently the highest-paid female volleyball players in the world. Kim earns around EUR 1.2 million per year, approximately KRW 1.5 billion. Zhu makes about EUR 1.2 million per year, or KRW 1.4 billion, and Kosheleva makes about EUR 1 million per year, about KRW 1.25 billion. The three players all play for Turkish teams: Fenerbahce, Vakifbank and Eczacibasi, respectively. The three teams are the most powerful teams in the Turkish women’s volleyball league.

Currently, Kim’s team, Fenerbahce, is ranked third, and Vakifbank is in first place.



Korean residents in Ankara attended the final game and cheered on Kim. After the game, she received a Korean national flag from the crowd and wore it over her shoulders. On her Instagram profile she wrote, “I won the Turkish Cup. I could only do it because of your support. I really appreciate it.”

By Kim Young Shin
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Fenerbahce Instagram
ysk1111@korea.kr