SK Sugar Gliders Make History with 3rd Consecutive Championship Win: How They Overcame Early Setbacks

Photo: Provided by the Korea Handball Federation

[By Lee Sang-pil, Sports Today] The SK Sugar Gliders completed a three-peat, claiming the season’s combined title.

SK beat Samcheok City Hall 30-25 in Game 3 of the Shinhan SOL Bank 25-26 Handball H League women’s championship (best-of-three) at Seoul’s Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium on May 4.

SK had swept the regular season to earn a direct berth to the final but were stunned in Game 1 by Samcheok City Hall. The Sugar Gliders responded with back-to-back wins in Games 2 and 3 to secure the overall championship.

They are the first women’s team in league history to win three consecutive combined championships.

Kang Eun-hye finished the three final games with 18 goals and 4 assists and was named Finals MVP.

SK opened nervously, falling into an early 7-12 hole as Samcheok seized control. Park Jo-eun’s timely saves sparked a rally, but SK still trailed 14-17 at the half.

The Sugar Gliders flipped the script in the second half. Kang Kyung-min scored in succession to tie it at 19-all, and Park’s goaltending helped SK retake the lead. SK pushed ahead to 25-21 and gradually pulled away.

Samcheok tried to mount a comeback but kept running into Park’s stops. SK held on for a 30-25 victory and clinched the combined championship.

“Completing a three-peat feels incredible,” SK head coach Kim Kyung-jin said. “The players executed their roles under pressure and delivered a great result. I’m proud they’re the first in the women’s division to win three straight combined titles.”

Finals MVP Kang Eun-hye said, “After getting shut down and losing Game 1, I tried to get more physical to create chances for our three backcourt players. When our timing was off, we talked it through and adjusted, and that led to today’s result.”

[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
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