SeeSaw Club

 On May 25th, I had an opportunity to help the players who participated in the WILL SHOWDOWN CUP. As soon as I arrived, I helped the players who were visually impaired. I directed them toward the room they should be in and their designated spot for the game. During the day, I stayed in one room and helped the players prepare for the game. After the game ended, I wrote on the paper about the game's results. While watching the game, I was stunned by the passion and enthusiasm to play competitivly. Even though they were having trouble with their vision, they were problem-solving with their hearing sense to be fully aware of the ball's direction, and, once again their positive and courageous attitudes surprised me. The player's age was from diverse ranges; some were 10s, and others were in the 50s. After every game, the players motivated me by making me want to play with them. It felt very awkward because this was my first time not playing the game in a WILL SHOWDOWN CUP. Howev...

     I had the honor of helping out with the Seesaw squad at the WILL Showdown Cup on May 25. Even though Saturdays are often exhausting, the day was made more memorable and energizing by my excitement for the occasion. The players, volunteers, and officials surrounding me with contagious energy and enthusiasm as soon as I arrived at the venue. Mainly, I helped the players who could not see by directing them to the necessary locations, such as the restrooms, and to their designated rooms for the showdown competition. My primary goal was to guarantee their comfort and self-assurance while touring the area. I became immediately aware of how crucial clear communication is. Moreover, I also served as a scorekeeper during the competition. This role was both thrilling and a bit nerve-wracking, as I had the responsibility of maintaining accurate scores. The competition was intense, with athletes displaying incredible focus and skill. I was amazed by their determination and ...

Recently, on May 25th, I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer and participate in the operation of the WILL Showdown Cup. My assigned role for the event involved the crucial task of keeping track of scores during the intense and competitive games. As the games commenced, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the remarkable nature of the event. Initially, upon entering the room, I couldn't help but wonder how individuals without sight could effectively engage in a fast-paced reaction game. However, any doubts or skepticism I had quickly dissipated as the games unfolded before me. The sheer speed at which the ball traveled across the table left me in awe. Each strike of the ball resonated sharply in the room, resembling the sound of a gunshot, adding an unexpected element of intensity to the gameplay. The velocity and agility with which the players maneuvered the ball mirrored the exhilarating experience of watching a Formula 1 race, captivating my attention and admiration thro...

  On May 25, I had the privilege of volunteering at the WILL Showdown Cup, where I helped impaired individuals navigate their way around the waiting room and the hallways. When I first heard about vision impaired table tennis, I was intrigued, yet a bit skeptical, wondering how such a fast-paced game could be played without the ability to physically see the ball. My curiosity led me to sign up as a volunteer, and when I saw the first game, it was incredible. The players, who were blindfolded to ensure a fair match, were navigating the tables with precision and great strength. The athletes ability to navigate such a rapid ball using only their auditory skills amazed me.  One of the most fulfilling aspects of this volunteering experience was building connections with some of the players. The players seemed very enthusiastic and they were eager to share their stories and experiences with me. In the waiting room, while waiting for his match, one of the athletes had started a conve...

   Since it was my first experience of helping out people who have a disability, I was a little nervous and anxious. When I arrived at the parking lot, it did not feel real that I was there to be one of the helpmates of the sports competition. When my mother was parking her car, a middle-aged woman was standing beside our car and I wondered why she did not move. Then, the woman’s husband assisted her to the entrance and that was when everything felt real. When I was listening to the instructions, I doubted myself if I would be able to help people correctly. Despite my worries, the moment I met a man who was disabled, I had my urge to help him in any possible way. My role was to lead the athletes from the waiting area to certain rooms where games took place.  At first, I was afraid of assisting the athletes who were disabled and that I might do something wrong. I probably made a lot of mistakes at the beginning. However, the more I tried, I became better at it. After ...

During the Showdown tournament, I had the rewarding task of guiding teenage athletes through the maze-like hallways to their respective tournament rooms. Observing the young athletes' passion for their sport was highly inspiring. Beyond my assigned duties, I extended help to other athletes in the hallways and eventually took on the role of scorekeeper for a couple of games. Having previously played the sport myself, I was particularly impressed by the athletes' skills. Showdown requires players to track the location of the ball by listening to the sound of beads inside it, demanding intense concentration and sharp hearing. Despite these challenges, the games moved at an extremely fast pace, almost as if the athletes could visually perceive the ball. A standout memory from this experience was a conversation I had with an athlete during his break. He shared details about the range of sports he plays as well as his upcoming competitions, giving me a glimpse into his impressive ath...

  On May 25th, the Seesaw team volunteered as staff for the WILL Showdown Cup. Although it would have been a typical tiring Saturday, my excitement to participate in the event as a volunteer overshadowed any exhaustion. When I arrived at the venue, I immediately felt the energy and enthusiasm of the players, the volunteers, and even the referees.  My main role during the event was to assist the visually impaired participants in navigating through the venue. This meant guiding them to their assigned rooms for the competitions and to necessary facilities like the bathroom. Ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and confident in their surroundings was my primary goal. I quickly learned that clear communication was key. Each interaction, whether it was a simple conversation or helping someone find their way, was an opportunity to make a meaningful connection and contribute to the smooth running of the event. After guiding participants throughout the morning, I also volunteered as...

I woke up and started packing my things for another exciting day, the Showdown competition! Showdown is a fast-paced sport played on a specially built table that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The game aims to hit the ball off the side wall, across the table, beneath the center screen, and into the opponent's goal.  When I went to where the 8th Will-Cup was held, the participants were preparing for their 9 - 10 hour competition. The atmosphere was thrilling, filled with hope and enthusiasm. Players warmed up, practiced their serves and returns, and shared last-minute advice with their coaches and fellow participants. My involvement in the competition was both rewarding and enriching. I had been assigned to assist blind children in navigating the event, ensuring they could track their matches and find their way. Despite they didn't ask for help, I reached my hand before them. When they refused for help, rather than thinking rudely, it was just an experie...

       The Showdown Tournament      A Saturday morning for someone could be the day to stay home and rest. To others, Saturday can be a day for procrastination, but for a group of South Korean visually impaired individuals, it was a day to challenge themselves through the sport Showdown. Showdown is a specialized game that was made specifically for the visually impaired.       After months of hard training, around 60 visually impaired individuals gathered to claim first place. Interestingly enough various players were coming from unique backgrounds. One highly anticipated player had a background of winning the World Showdown Championship in 2022. Some players had just begun their career as a part-time showdown player.       The Seesaw group was also present throughout the entirety of this grand, and prestigious tournament. The non-visually impaired volunteering group was invited to help run the tournament by dist...