Cuban-born Luiz Elian Estrada (24, 201 centimeters) has achieved her Korean dream. She also expressed her expectations for Korean culture.
The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) held the 2024 KOVO Men's Foreign Player Draft at Dubai Science Park in Dubai, UAE on the 11th.
KEPCO's Kwon Young-min chose Lewis, the "new face" as the fourth highest ranking player. Lewis, who can play both an outside heater and an apogit speaker, is Cuba's Shin Seong, born in 2000, who dreams of becoming the "second Leo." Lewis, who boasts dynamic jumps and high RBIs, was evaluated as having exceptional ability in attack.
In fact, the attention to Lewis was ordinary before the lid was opened. In the preliminary survey by club, Lewis was selected as the first place by one club.
Lewis, however, displayed his potential in the main test. His resilient jumps and powerful swings were impressive. He had surgery on his right knee in 2019, but he was diagnosed with no problem in playing immediately in a pre-medical test. Many club officials even gave him a thumbs-up, saying he was a standout player.
Before the draft, Lewis said, "I talked a lot with Yosvani and Leo who are from the same Cuba and play in the same agency. They explained a lot about the V-League system. I heard Korea values manners and order in particular," adding, "I also highly value those values. To become a good player, you need to have good manners and respect the opponent. In that regard, I felt that the Korean stage would fit me well."
After appointing Lewis, Kwon said, "Leona Yosvani was also good. However, the first priority for KEPCO was Lewis. Lewis is young and can give vitality to the team. He worked hard in the warm-up matches as well. I think it will be okay if I adjust well."
"Attacks are good, but we need to improve our defense and reception. We are also considering using (Seo) Jae-deok as an outside heater and Lewis as an apogit," he said. "I think he has good jumping ability and will suit the players well. He is active. He admitted that he lacks skills. It is not easy to say such things at a nomination, but I think it is okay."
Even before his nomination, Lewis showed his expectations for Korean culture. "When I go to Korea, I want to go to places like temples and palaces," Lewis said at the time. "I told Louis that I would take him to the temple or the palace. I like temples, too. I will go with him," he said with a smile.
Lewis said, "I worked hard for two days before I was nominated. It was only a short time, but I tried my best to show myself. I had mixed feelings. I was grateful and I feel proud of myself."
Lewis asked KEPCO to bring his girlfriend to Korea. He said, "Girlfriend acts like a manager. I think women contribute to changing a man's life a lot. I asked because she is good at cooking and controlling my mind."
When Kwon heard that he wanted to take him to a temple or palace, Lewis said, "Is it real? I really want to go there with him," looking forward to the moment he encountered Korean culture.
Lastly, Lewis vowed to perform well, saying, "I want to beat all the players. From the moment I enter the court, I want to beat all the opponents I face."
https://www.bsc.news/post/safe-totosite-ranking-top-15-major-safe-playground-2024
