'Suwon's prince' Lim Sung-jin pulls his weight on the volleyball court

Suwon Kepco Vixtorm opposite hitter Lim Sung-jin poses for a photo during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at Vixtorm’s training center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi on Monday. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Suwon Kepco Vixtorm opposite hitter Lim Sung-jin, nicknamed “Suwon’s prince,” is on the rise in the V League.

Lim has established himself as a regular pick at Vixtorm this season after making his professional debut in 2020.

The 24-year-old has scored 198 points this season as of press time Thursday and is the team’s second top scorer, showing an impressive performance alongside the team’s No. 1 scorer Thijs Ter Horst of the Netherlands, with 340.

Lim’s defensive and receiving skills have also improved compared to previous seasons. He's pulled his weight at Vixtorm, helping the team overcome an early-season wobble to climb up to fourth place on the seven-team table. Lim also represented Korea at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, although the men’s national volleyball team failed to medal.

“I’ve been really busy, but I think being busy is a good thing for an athlete,” Lim said during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at Vixtorm’s training center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi on Monday. “I don’t really have huge desire for individual stats. I want to be a player that is good at everything.”

Lim said weight training is one of the reasons he's improved this season.

“I weighed 82 kilograms (180 pounds) last year, but it was 86 or 87 kilograms before the start of this season,” Lim said. “I felt that I gained weight, but I still did not feel like my body was heavy. My body fat stayed at nine percent. I think my body got bigger [due to gaining muscle].

His improved form has also caught the eyes of fans from around the world, with people from Thailand, Japan and Taiwan attending Vixtorm games to see him in person.

In addition to his form, Lim said he has also looked to change his character on the court.

“I worked [to alter my character] as I think athletes need to be more like extroverts” Lim said. “I try to make big movements when I have a chance to score.

“I got to know the saying ‘You lose your courage if you think too long.’ I think a lot during games, and that leads to bad results ... volleyball, especially, requires quick thinking."

Lim and his teammates are aiming for Vixtorm’s first-ever V League title, having managed a fourth-place finish on the seven-team table last season.

Vixtorm was due to face Ansan OK Financial Group Okman on Thursday at 7 p.m. as of press time.

BY KIM HYO-KYUNG [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]