Lee Sun-kyu

1.1. Early Life

Lee Sun-kyu was born on March 14, 1981, in Seoul, South Korea. He began playing volleyball relatively late compared to many professional athletes, starting in his third year of middle school. Despite this late start, he rapidly developed exceptional skills, particularly a precise sense for blocking and effective quick attacks, which would later become hallmarks of his playing style and contribute to his success as a national team starter.

1.2. Education

Lee Sun-kyu attended Daejeon Middle School and Munil High School. Following his high school education, he enrolled at Hanyang University, where he continued to hone his volleyball skills before turning professional.

2.1. Club Career

Lee began his professional club career in 2003 when he signed with the Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers. During his time with the Skywalkers, which lasted until 2013, he was a key player, contributing to the team's achievement of two consecutive V-League championships.

On June 7, 2013, Lee was traded to the Daejeon Samsung Fire Bluefangs as a compensation player for Yeo Oh-hyun, who had moved to Hyundai Capital as a free agent. Lee played for the Bluefangs for three years, until 2016, and was instrumental in the team securing its eighth V-League championship in 2014.

Subsequently, Lee signed with the Uijeongbu KB Insurance Stars as a free agent on May 19, 2016. He remained with the KB Stars for three seasons, concluding his playing career with the team after the 2018-19 season.

Throughout his V-League career, Lee achieved several remarkable statistical milestones. On December 17, 2008, he recorded his 350th career block against the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos at the Incheon Municipal Dowon Gymnasium, marking the first time such a record was achieved since the V-League's inception. On February 19, 2009, he further extended this record by successfully blocking in the first set against the same team, reaching 400 career blocks. His blocking prowess continued to grow, as he recorded his 900th career block on December 17, 2016, becoming the only player in V-League history to surpass 900 career blocks. Demonstrating his offensive capabilities as well, Lee scored his 3,000th career point on November 22, 2017, cementing his place as the only middle blocker in V-League history to achieve over 3,000 career points.

2.2. National Team Career

Lee Sun-kyu's involvement with the South Korean national team program began early in his career, spanning youth, collegiate, and senior levels.

In 1999, he was a member of the South Korean national under-18 team. He helped the team win the gold medal at the 1999 Asian Youth Boys Volleyball Championship and qualify for the 1999 FIVB Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship.

In 2003, while still a collegiate player, Lee was part of the national team that secured a gold medal at the 2003 Summer Universiade in Daegu, defeating Japan in the final match. In the same year, he earned another gold medal with the senior national team at the 2003 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship held in Tianjin.

His consistent performance led to extensive participation in major international tournaments. He won bronze medals at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship in 2005 (Suphan Buri), 2007 (Jakarta), 2009 (Manila), and 2011 (Tehran). Additionally, he earned a silver medal at the 2008 Asian Men's Volleyball Cup in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Lee represented South Korea at the 2006 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Japan, where the team finished in 17th place. He was also a crucial member of the national team that won a gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha. His other national team appearances included the 2004 Summer Olympics Qualifier, 2005 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, FIVB Volleyball World League (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 editions), 2007 World Cup, and 2008 Beijing Olympics Qualifier.

3.1. V-League Records

Lee Sun-kyu holds several unique and significant records in the V-League, particularly demonstrating his unparalleled ability as a blocker and a scoring middle blocker. He was the first player in V-League history to achieve 350 and 400 career blocks. He further set a unique record by becoming the only player in the league's history to accumulate over 900 career blocks. Furthermore, his scoring prowess as a middle blocker is highlighted by his achievement of over 3,000 career points, a feat unmatched by any other middle blocker in V-League history.

3.2. Individual Awards

Lee's individual excellence was recognized through various awards from both his club and national team performances:

• 2005 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship: Best Spiker / Blocking Award
• 2005-2006 V-League: Best Blocker
• 2006 Doha Asian Games: Gold Medal (National Team)
• 2007-2008 V-League: Best Blocker
• 2008-2009 V-League: Best Blocker
• 2016 V-League: Best Blocker

4.1. Commentator Career

After concluding his playing career, Lee Sun-kyu ventured into sports commentary. On October 22, 2019, he began his broadcasting career as a panelist for "Weekly Volleyball" (주간배구_{Jugan Baegu}^Korean), a program on SBS Sports. Building on this experience, he was officially appointed as a volleyball commentator for SBS Sports in 2020, where he continues to provide expert analysis for volleyball matches.