Hee Young Woo
Encyclopedia
Hee Young Woo, also known as Mr Woo, was born (November 13, 1963). He is a former football player from South Korea
. Born in Seoul
, South Korea, at a very early age Woo realized he had football talent. Inspired by Diego Maradona
and his unique ball control ability, Woo practiced and practiced to emulate the skill. Woo won a national football skills competition in Korea and decided he wanted to become a professional footballer. Woo achieved this in Korea and then went on to play professionally in the German
league for Stuttgart Kickers. Still practising his ball skills, Woo realized he wanted to become famous worldwide as "the Greatest Football Entertainer in the World".
Hee Young Woo, broke the Guinness Book of World Records for football head tricks in 1989 by heading a ball for 5 hours, 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
Whilst in Germany, Woo performed at the final of the German Cup and then back in Korea, Woo did his amazing skills routine at the opening ceremony of the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics
. During the 1990 FIFA World Cup
, Woo performed for Pelé
at this 50th Birthday celebration event. Woo then moved to Hawaii in the U.S.A.
and began coaching as well performing at various events in Las Vegas
. He performed again for fans in 1994 FIFA World Cup
and on numerous occasions performed in front of big audiences for the Outrigger Hotels group in Hawaii
.
Woo again became involved in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
when the tournament was held in his native South Korea. As an ambassador for the World Cup 2002 in Korea, Woo promoted the event at many games.
Woo then decided to perform his skills in the UK
, the 'home of football' and has performed on television, for Nike
in recent freestyle commercials and events across the UK, at football matches, corporate events, coaching and even impromptu public appearances whilst he practices his skills. During the film shoot for the Nike Stickman TV commercial, Brazil
ian World Cup winner Ronaldinho
was so impressed he even asked Woo to sign his football. This is the only time Ronaldinho
has ever asked for an autograph. Woo has received great feedback from adoring fans in England and is widely renowned as one of the Greatest Football Entertainers in the World.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Born in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea, at a very early age Woo realized he had football talent. Inspired by Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
and his unique ball control ability, Woo practiced and practiced to emulate the skill. Woo won a national football skills competition in Korea and decided he wanted to become a professional footballer. Woo achieved this in Korea and then went on to play professionally in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
league for Stuttgart Kickers. Still practising his ball skills, Woo realized he wanted to become famous worldwide as "the Greatest Football Entertainer in the World".
Hee Young Woo, broke the Guinness Book of World Records for football head tricks in 1989 by heading a ball for 5 hours, 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
Whilst in Germany, Woo performed at the final of the German Cup and then back in Korea, Woo did his amazing skills routine at the opening ceremony of the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
. During the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, Woo performed for Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
at this 50th Birthday celebration event. Woo then moved to Hawaii in the U.S.A.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and began coaching as well performing at various events in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. He performed again for fans in 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
and on numerous occasions performed in front of big audiences for the Outrigger Hotels group in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
Woo again became involved in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
when the tournament was held in his native South Korea. As an ambassador for the World Cup 2002 in Korea, Woo promoted the event at many games.
Woo then decided to perform his skills in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the 'home of football' and has performed on television, for Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
in recent freestyle commercials and events across the UK, at football matches, corporate events, coaching and even impromptu public appearances whilst he practices his skills. During the film shoot for the Nike Stickman TV commercial, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian World Cup winner Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
was so impressed he even asked Woo to sign his football. This is the only time Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
has ever asked for an autograph. Woo has received great feedback from adoring fans in England and is widely renowned as one of the Greatest Football Entertainers in the World.
External links
- Woo Soccer Official website
- Nuts - Silky Football skills