Wednesday 21 August 2013

Strike one! Taekwondo star hurls acrobatic first pitch in South Korean baseball game

Strike one! Taekwondo star hurls acrobatic first pitch in South Korean baseball game

A South Korean Taekwondo champion left a stadium of sports fans gasping in awe as she spun through the air for a dramatic first pitch on Saturday. 
Tae-Mi, who won the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in 2007, made her athletic pitch for the Doosan Bears game against SK Wyverns in Seoul.
As the star of the 2011 martial art film The Kick walked away from the pitcher's mound, former Cleveland Indians pitcher Chris Seddon appeared to be smiling in disbelief. 
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Air time: Tae-Mi cartwheels through the air as she makes a first pitch for the Doosan Bears
Air time: Tae-Mi cartwheels through the air as she makes a first pitch for the Doosan Bears
 
The 29-year-old MLB relief pitcher joined the South Korean team, SK Wyverns, at the end of last year. 
Tae-Mi's pitch comes a month after rhythmic gymnast Soo-ji Shin wowed the crowds with what was described as one of the most impressive wind-up in the history of baseball.
Leaving one foot on the ground, the petite gymnast twisted her body around in a full flip before straightening and launching the ball.
Her performance appears to have inspired a trend for more daring first pitches, as 23-year-old Tae-Mi proved at the weekend.
The ceremonial first pitch is a longstanding ritual in baseball and usually guest of honor is a dignitary or celebrity in attendance at the game, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Step up: The actress gets ready for her throw
Step up: The actress gets ready for her throw
Curve ball: Tae-Mi spins through the air at a Seoul stadium
Curve ball: Tae-Mi spins through the air at a Seoul stadium
Twist: The South Korean actress gets ready to land and throw her pitch
Twist: The South Korean actress gets ready to land and throw her pitch
Awe-struck: Former MBL player Chris Seddon reacts to the first pitch
Awe-struck: Former MBL player Chris Seddon reacts to the first pitch
Proud: Tae-Mi looks pleased with herself as she leaves the grounds
Proud: Tae-Mi looks pleased with herself as she leaves the grounds


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2398754/Taekwondo-star-throws-acrobatic-pitch-baseball-game.html#ixzz2ce61CORa
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