"스트레스 날려요"... 생활 체육 대세로 떠오른 '피클볼' -R(260629월/뉴스투데이)

Pickleball, a sport that combines the best aspects of table tennis, tennis, and badminton, is trending these days. Because it is easy to learn and has a low risk of injury, it is emerging as a sport that the whole family can enjoy. Reporter Cheon Hong-hee reports. ◀ END ▶ ◀ Report ▶ Every time the ball hits the racket, a crisp sound of impact fills the gymnasium. The ball is exchanged rapidly across the net. This is 'Pickleball,' a sport that combines the strengths of table tennis, tennis, and badminton. ◀ INT ▶ Park Ji-hee, Byeon Ji-wook / Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju "It relieves stress. It is fun even when we lose, but when we win, I feel very happy on the way home..." Pickleball is a sport played by exchanging a plastic ball with holes using a specialized racket called a 'paddle,' which is about twice the size of a table tennis racket. It is played on a court the size of a badminton court, using a method of hitting the ball over to the opponent's side, similar to table tennis or tennis. Because the ball has holes in it, it bounces low and moves slowly, making it easy for even beginners to hit the incoming ball. Pickleball's unique rules also add to the fun. ◀ INT ▶ Kim Young-hee / Pickleball Instructor at Hanam Danuri Center "When hitting a ball high in the air, stepping on or entering the volley zone results in a fault." ◀ st-up ▶ "Even beginners can learn pickleball easily, to the point where they can exchange the ball. It also involves a significant amount of physical activity, enough to break a sweat in no time." Pickleball, which originated in the United States in the 1960s, is recently spreading rapidly as a recreational sport in Gwangju as well. It is gaining attention as a sport that the whole family can enjoy, as it does not require expensive equipment and carries a low risk of injury. ◀ INT ▶ Kim Beom-rak / President of the Gwangju Pickleball Association "Compared to tennis or badminton, the risk of injury is much lower... It is a very family-friendly sport where even grandfathers and grandchildren can enjoy playing together..." With the official association launched in Gwangju this year, pickleball is establishing itself as a recreational sport. This is Cheon Hong-hee from MBC News. // Video Coverage: Kim Sang-bae ◀ END ▶