Messi confirms farewell match with Argentina on Oct. 6

Lionel Messi, 39, will play one final match in an Argentina jersey before retiring from international football. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced Tuesday (local time) its squad for October friendlies, which includes Messi. Messi is set to make his farewell appearance for the national team on Oct. 6 at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires in a friendly against Benin. Messi announced his international retirement on Aug. 31 via social media, saying, "It is a painful decision, but I know well that now is the time to leave." AFA President Claudio Tapia said the association had decided to invite Messi "so that Lionel Andrés Messi — the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain — can have his farewell here in Argentina on Oct. 6." The AFA also invited all members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad to join Messi for the occasion. Messi made his senior international debut in 2005 and went on to appear 207 times for Argentina, scoring 125 goals — both all-time records for the national team. He won the World Cup once, in 2022, finished runner-up twice, in 2014 and 2026, and claimed eight Ballon d'Or awards, leading many to regard him as having surpassed Argentine football legend Diego Maradona. Argentina had to settle for second place at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, with Messi leading the side. Shortly after, his father died, and Messi cited personal grief when he announced his retirement from international football. Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through 2028. Argentina will play Bolivia in Cordoba on Sept. 30 and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on Oct. 3 before facing Benin on Oct. 6. Against Benin, Messi is expected to share the pitch with Rodrigo De Paul, Giovanni Lo Celso and other members of the squad that won the World Cup four years ago.

Sept. 16, 2026

Seo Kyo-rim vs. Kim Min-sol: Hana Financial Championship opens Thursday in W1.6b battle

The KLPGA Tour's Hana Financial Group Championship, carrying a total purse of 1.5 billion won ($1.11 million) and a first-place prize of 270 million won, tees off Thursday for four days at The Heaven Country Club (par 72, 6,819 yards) on Daebudo island in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. Hosted by Hana Financial Group and organized by the KLPGA, the tournament draws a star-studded international field. Among the headline storylines: defending champion Lee Da-yeon chasing a third title at this event, Lee Min-ji looking to break her playoff curse, and the season-long rivalry between Seo Kyo-rim and Kim Min-sol as both chase the KLPGA Tour's all-time single-season earnings record. Seo and Kim, the same age and locked in a fierce battle for the season's top ranking, both enter the week with a shot at surpassing 1.6 billion won in single-season earnings. International contenders — including Lydia Ko of New Zealand, Lee Min-ji of Australia, the Iwai Akie-Chisato sisters of Japan and Tseng Ya-ni of Taiwan — add global star power, but domestic fans are expected to keep their eyes fixed on the same-age rivals. Seo has won four times this season and leads the tour in victories, prize money, player-of-the-year points and scoring average. A solo second-place finish or better would make her the first player in KLPGA Tour history to surpass 1.6 billion won in a single season, setting an all-time record. Seo also carries good memories of the venue: she claimed her first tour title at The Heaven Country Club at the Inca Financial The Heaven Masters in June. Kim ranks second to Seo in most major categories with three wins this season and could leapfrog her rival in both victories and prize money with a win this week. The course is set at 6,819 yards, with the final two holes — the par-4 17th and par-5 18th — significantly lengthened from previous setups, an adjustment expected to favor Kim's combination of power and attacking instincts. Lee Da-yeon, who won this event in 2023 and 2025, is targeting a third title and back-to-back championships. She is riding momentum after claiming her 10th career tour victory last month at the Aurora World Championship. Lee Min-ji, a Hana Financial Group-sponsored player, needs to end her playoff misery at this tournament. She has finished runner-up here three times in playoff losses — to Song Ga-eun in 2021, and to Lee Da-yeon in both 2023 and 2025. Lee is determined to avenge those defeats against the player who has beaten her twice, though a recent slump raises questions about how competitive she can be. Lydia Ko, a Paris Olympics gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Fame inductee, is again competing at her sponsor's event. Japan's next-generation duo, the Iwai Akie-Chisato sisters — each with a win on the US circuit — are also considered title contenders. Park Bo-gyeom, who claimed her first major title last week at the KB Financial Group Golden Life Championship, rounds out the list of players to watch. All four rounds of the Hana Financial Group Championship will be broadcast live on SBS Golf, Naver, Daum Kakao and U+ Mobile TV, with the first and second rounds also airing simultaneously on SBS.

Sept. 16, 2026

Lee Young-pyo flags defensive lapses despite big win over Qatar [Nagoya AG]

KBS football commentator Lee Young-pyo expressed disappointment over South Korea's defensive concentration despite the team's commanding victory over Qatar. South Korea's men's football team, led by head coach Lee Min-sung, routed Qatar 4-1 in their first Group D match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday, powered by a hat trick from Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) and a clinching goal from Kim Myung-jun (Genk). Speaking after the match, Lee praised the overall performance, saying "the game flowed the way coach Lee Min-sung wanted," but also flagged a problem that emerged when South Korea conceded in the second half. "It is a shame that defensive concentration wavered after the substitutions," Lee said. "It is a chance to be reminded of the issue of momentary defensive lapses. The players seemed to feel a little satisfied being four goals ahead," he added. However, Lee said the second match against Saudi Arabia "could be a slightly tougher game than the one against Qatar," while expressing confidence that "there should be no great difficulty in picking up three points." He expected the team to finish atop Group D with two consecutive wins. South Korea's second Group D match kicks off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Sept. 16, 2026

Kakao Golf Reservation launches AI-driven dynamic green fee pricing

Kakao VX's Kakao Golf Reservation is rolling out a dynamic pricing system that uses AI to set flexible green fees. The system analyzes reservation data and demand through AI to automatically calculate green fees and reflect them in real time in each golf course's enterprise resource planning system. Kakao VX said it expects the system to boost tee-time sales rates and reduce cancellations. "Customers who secure a tee time early at a lower price are less likely to cancel even if the price rises closer to their round date, which is why golf courses prefer this approach," a company official said. Kakao VX also released results from a pilot at golf courses outside the Seoul metropolitan area. A course in the Gyeongsang region that had its third-session tee times managed under the system since 2024 saw its visitor count reach 33,929 last year, up 46 percent from the previous year. Sales rose 32 percent, while the average amount paid per visitor fell 9 percent, the company said. Kakao VX plans to expand the dynamic pricing system to more golf courses.

Sept. 16, 2026

Eom Ji-seong's hat trick powers South Korea to 4-1 rout of Qatar at Nagoya Asian Games

South Korea's under-23 men's football team opened their 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Qatar, powered by a hat trick from Eom Ji-seong of Swansea City. The squad, led by head coach Lee Min-seong, defeated Qatar in the Group D opener at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday, with Eom delivering all three of South Korea's first-half goals. South Korea, chasing a fourth consecutive Asian Games men's football gold after titles in Incheon in 2014, Jakarta-Palembang in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2023, made a smooth start by claiming all three points. Starting on the left wing, Eom broke the deadlock just seven minutes into the match, doubled his tally in the 20th minute and completed his hat trick in first-half stoppage time to set South Korea on their way. The opener came when Kim Ji-su of Brentford launched a long right-footed ball into the danger area, and Eom drove a low left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner. Eom added his second in the 20th minute, pouncing on a loose ball that drifted between two Qatar center backs. He completed the hat trick in the 46th minute when Lee Seung-won of Gangwon Province cut the ball from right to left inside the penalty box, and Eom shook off a defender before firing home. After the break, South Korea went close again — first through Yang Hyeon-jun, who shot after a cutback from Bae Jun-ho of Stoke City in the 52nd minute, and then through Kim Myeong-jun of Genk, who had two attempts in the 56th minute — but neither found the net. Kim made amends in the 67th minute, converting a through ball from Yang Hyeon-jun to make it 4-0. South Korea made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Yang Min-hyeok of Beerschot, Kang Sang-yun of North Jeolla Province and Lee Hyeon-ju of Arouca. Qatar pulled one back through Hassan Marwan in the 85th minute, but South Korea held firm after introducing Park Seung-su of Newcastle United and Choi Woo-jin of North Jeolla Province, closing out a 4-1 win in their tournament opener. Fifteen nations are competing in the men's football tournament, which begins with a group stage across four pools before moving to a knockout quarterfinal round. South Korea's next match is against Saudi Arabia on Sept. 22.

Sept. 16, 2026

Jang Yu-bin, Choi Chan race for third win as Moon Do-yeop eyes Asian Games tune-up

Jang looks to extend lead; Choi seeks to close gap Jang Yu-bin and Choi Chan will go head-to-head in a race to become the first player on the KPGA Tour to claim a third win this season. Moon Do-yeop, who is preparing for the Asian Games, will also be in the spotlight. The Golfzon Open runs for four days starting Thursday at Golfzon County Seonsan (par 71) in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. The tournament carries a purse of 1 billion won ($743,000), with the winner taking home 200 million won. The most closely watched storyline is the battle between Jang and Choi, who each have two wins this season. Jang has won the KPGA Classic and the Hana Bank Invitational, and leads the tour in both Genesis Points (4,230.70) and prize money (682.81 million won). He carried his momentum into last week's Shinhan Donghae Open, where he finished tied for second. Choi is the chief challenger. After winning the Woori Financial Group Championship and the Dong-A Membership Group Open, he sits second in Genesis Points (3,123.87) and third in prize money (516.06 million won). He managed only a tie for 60th at the Shinhan Donghae Open, but a victory this week would give him a third win before Jang while significantly closing the gap in the Genesis Points standings. The Genesis Points leader at season's end receives the Genesis Award, which comes with 200 million won, a five-year KPGA Tour exemption, a direct berth into the PGA Tour Q-School final stage, and a one-year DP World Tour card. Moon Do-yeop, who is set to compete at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, is another player to watch. Moon won the KPGA Gyeongbuk Open at the same Golfzon County Seonsan course in May, finishing at 14-under-par 270. The familiar layout gives him a chance to contend for another title while sharpening his competitive edge ahead of the Asian Games. Defending champion Park Sung-kook will bid to become the first back-to-back winner in the tournament's history. He won last year's edition at 16-under-par 268, claiming his second career title in seven years. Also in the field are Ham Jeong-woo, Park Eun-shin and Jeong Chan-min, all of whom have won events held at this course. The tournament is a 72-hole stroke-play event with 132 players competing across four rounds.

Sept. 15, 2026

Defending champion Lee Da-yeon eyes third title at Hana Financial Group Championship

Lee Min-jee, a three-time runner-up at the event, looms as her chief rival Defending champion Lee Da-yeon will bid for back-to-back titles and a third career victory at the KLPGA Tour's Hana Financial Group Championship. The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday at The Heaven Country Club's West and South courses (par 72) in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. The total purse is 1.5 billion won ($1.11 million), with the winner taking home 270 million won. The event holds particularly fond memories for Lee. She won in 2023 and last year, and a victory this week would give her consecutive titles and a third career win at the championship. Lee had battled back pain following a car accident last year, but her win at the Hana Financial Group Championship signaled she was back in form. She reinforced that momentum by winning the Aurora World Championship in August. "It is meaningful to be competing for a third title at the same tournament," Lee said. "I want to prepare my iron game — my strongest suit — and put on a good performance." Her rivalry with Australian-Korean Lee Min-jee adds another layer of intrigue. World-ranked No. 15, Lee Min-jee has finished runner-up at this event three times — in 2021, 2023 and last year — each time after a playoff. In both 2023 and last year, Lee Da-yeon denied her in the extra holes. For Lee Da-yeon, Lee Min-jee is the fiercest obstacle to a third title; for Lee Min-jee, this is a chance to finally settle the score. A strong international field will also contend for the title. New Zealand's Lydia Ko, a 23-time LPGA Tour winner, tees it up alongside Japanese twin golfers Iwai Aki and Iwai Jiji, as well as former world No. 1 Tseng Ya-ni of Taiwan. Among domestic contenders, Seo Gyo-rim leads the season money list and points standings with four wins, while Kim Min-sol brings three victories into the week. Asian Games national team member Yang Yun-seo will also compete against the world-class field.

Sept. 15, 2026

Golfzon, Hana Bank launch G-Pass joint promotion

Golfzon has teamed up with Hana Bank to run a joint promotion for G-Pass, its payment and points service. Golfzon said Tuesday it will offer points and other benefits to customers who link a Hana Bank account to G-Pass, with the promotion running through Dec. 31. G-Pass is Golfzon's integrated payment and points system, available at Golfzon Park locations, Golfzon Market and the Golfzon app. Customers who link a Hana Bank account to G-Pass Money during the promotion period will receive points — 15,000 for those who open a new Hana Bank account and connect it, and 5,000 for those who switch an existing linked account from another bank to Hana Bank. Customers who link a Hana Bank account to G-Pass and then charge or spend at least a set amount will receive an additional 5,000 points. To mark the partnership, Golfzon will also offer gallery tickets to the KLPGA Tour Hana Financial Group Championship, held at The Heaven Country Club from Thursday through Sunday, to the first 100 customers who open a new Hana Bank account. In addition, 80 participants in the promotion will be selected by lottery to receive a set of golf balls.

Sept. 15, 2026

Left-handed golfer Lee Seung-chan claims second win of season after two playoff holes

Wins KPGA David Golf Tour event No. 18 Three players tied at 15 under par Lee clinches title with birdie on second playoff hole Left-handed golfer Lee Seung-chan claimed his second win of the season on the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) David Golf Tour, prevailing after two playoff holes. Playing Tuesday at Gunsan Country Club's Buan-Namwon course (par 72) in North Jeolla Province, Lee carded a two-round total of 15 under par (129 strokes) to finish tied with Jeong Se-yun and Park Ji-min. In the first playoff on the par-3 17th hole, both Lee and Park made birdie, sending the contest to a second extra hole. Lee drained another birdie on the par-4 18th, while Park could only manage par, giving Lee the title and prize money of 20 million won ($14,900). It was his second victory of the season, following his win at the 11th event.

Sept. 15, 2026

Chuncheon breaks ground on World Taekwondo headquarters as global poomsae championship opens

WT President Cho Chung-won: 'I expect Chuncheon to grow into the world's taekwondo capital' Chuncheon, which aspires to become the world capital of taekwondo, broke ground Tuesday on the headquarters of World Taekwondo (WT). The city will also host the world's top poomsae athletes beginning Wednesday, as they compete over five days for world titles. The economic ripple effect from the championship is estimated at about 8.4 billion won ($6.24 million). Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han held a press briefing at the air dome briefing room of Songam Sports Town on Tuesday, announcing preparations for the 2026 Chuncheon World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and the significance of the WT headquarters groundbreaking. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Songam Sports Town at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The WT headquarters will span a total floor area of 3,400 square meters and is designed to serve as a symbolic home for global taekwondo, housing international administrative offices, a multipurpose gymnasium, and taekwondo exhibition and experience facilities. Chuncheon has built ties with the global taekwondo community for more than two decades, dating back to the country's first international open taekwondo tournament held there in 2000. The city described the new headquarters as a starting point for transforming that relationship into a permanent exchange framework. Chuncheon envisions the WT headquarters as a hub where major taekwondo policies and future visions are discussed, and where a network connecting international sports diplomacy, education and training, international competitions, and cultural tourism and industry operates on a sustained basis. The goal is to move beyond being a city that athletes visit briefly during international tournaments, and instead build a structure in which taekwondo figures from around the world consistently come to Chuncheon — with exchanges, training, meetings and experiences feeding into the local tourism, MICE and sports industries. The 2026 Chuncheon World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, organized by WT, is a major international event carrying the highest ranking points as a G8-rated competition. A total of 2,269 national-team-level athletes from 85 countries will compete across 42 categories — 34 in recognized poomsae and eight in freestyle poomsae — for the top spot in the world. Recognized poomsae showcases precise technique, disciplined movement and intense concentration. Freestyle poomsae blends traditional skills with music, choreography and creative, dynamic performance, demonstrating taekwondo's capacity for change and expansion. The opening ceremony at the air dome Tuesday afternoon will feature performances by the Chuncheon City Taekwondo demonstration team and the WT demonstration team, along with a DJ performance and a hanbok fashion show, bringing together taekwondo and Korean culture on one stage. Alongside the competition, a forum will be held to discuss major taekwondo policies and future visions. An extraordinary session of the WT Executive Committee, attended by some 40 global taekwondo leaders including International Olympic Committee (IOC) members and WT executive committee members, will also be held in Chuncheon that day. Drawing on its experience running the World Taekwondo Culture Festival and the Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Tournament in July, the city has further strengthened on-site safety and convenience for athletes and spectators. Through an administrative support headquarters, dedicated personnel will be assigned to each area to handle on-site complaints and coordinate rapid decision-making and integrated responses in emergencies. A drone control system will be deployed outside the air dome and along major transit routes to monitor crowd density. Drones will track spectator concentration and movement in real time, and field personnel will be dispatched to disperse crowds if congestion builds in any zone. Two additional entry and exit doors have been secured at the air dome to ease bottlenecks. Entry and exit routes will be separated, and emergency evacuation paths have been improved to allow rapid dispersal in multiple directions in the event of a fire or other emergency. Throughout the competition, the city will maintain emergency communication channels with police, fire departments and other relevant agencies, and will operate response systems for medical support, patient transport and emergency evacuation. On Thursday, residents and taekwondo practitioners from South Korea and abroad will walk roughly 4 kilometers from Songam Sports Town to Uiam Skywalk in the "2026 Chuncheon Peace Walk," an event marking the 45th anniversary of the UN's establishment of the International Day of Peace and celebrating the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships with a message of peace and unity. On Saturday and Sunday, the "2026 Uiam Lake Paddleboard Festa" and "Yunseul Sunset Canoe" events will be held around Songam Sports Town and Uiam Lake. Visitors can watch world-class poomsae competition and enjoy water leisure activities including paddleboarding and canoeing. The city will operate a circular shuttle bus connecting major downtown hubs and competition venues to draw athletes and visitors into the city center, and will offer discounts at major local tourist attractions as well as accommodation packages. WT President Cho Chung-won said Chuncheon shares a very special bond with WT. "The city has successfully hosted a variety of international taekwondo events over the years," he said. "With today's groundbreaking of the new World Taekwondo headquarters, I hope Chuncheon will grow further as the world's taekwondo capital and build a new future together with World Taekwondo."

Sept. 15, 2026

World No. 13 Kim Si-woo confirmed for Genesis Championship

'Last year's support was incredible … looking forward to this year too' Kim to compete alongside Im Sung-jae after Presidents Cup Kim Si-woo, who has had a standout season on the PGA Tour, will appear before home fans in October. The Genesis Championship organizing committee confirmed Tuesday that Kim will compete in the tournament, set to run from Oct. 22 to 25 at Ujeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Kim has enjoyed his best season on the PGA Tour, finishing in the top 10 eleven times — including three runner-up finishes. Both tallies trail only world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Currently ranked 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Kim sits atop the standings among all Asian players, with the position also marking a career best. This season he became the first Korean player to surpass $10 million in PGA Tour season earnings, and his career prize money has now exceeded $40 million. Kim will also tee up at the Presidents Cup in the United States later this month as the top-ranked player on the International Team. Im Sung-jae, who had already confirmed his entry in the Genesis Championship, is likewise set for the Presidents Cup, meaning the two will compete side by side on home soil after facing off in the United States. Competing in the Genesis Championship for the second consecutive year, Kim said, "The support from the fans last year was truly incredible. I want to meet the fans again this year and put on a great show." The Genesis Championship, marking its 10th anniversary this year, is co-sanctioned by the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour. The purse stands at $4 million, with 126 players from Korea and abroad set to compete. The tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for the DP World Tour season-ending playoffs. The winner receives $680,000 in prize money along with playing rights on both the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour for two years beginning in 2027.

Sept. 15, 2026

Madcattos to host private golf rounds with sponsored pros

Golf wear brand Madcattos will host a private golf event bringing together its sponsored professionals and customers for a round on the course. Madcattos said the event will run from Nov. 27 through Dec. 4, with customers joining the brand's sponsored pros for a day of play. Team Madcattos is made up of golfers the brand sponsors, including Yang Yong-eun, Shin Ji-ae, Ryu Hae-ran, Hwang Yu-min and Shin Da-in. Several of these players are expected to take part, with the specific lineup and schedule to be confirmed at a later date. Participants will play alongside the professionals, and a dinner and question-and-answer session with the pros will follow each round. Thirty customers will be selected by lottery from those who have purchased Madcattos products. Purchases made from Sept. 1 through Nov. 8 will be tallied, with one entry ticket issued for every 500,000 won ($372) spent. Entry tickets are accumulated automatically based on purchase history, with no separate application required. The entry period runs from Nov. 9 through Nov. 15, and winners will be announced Nov. 16. "We prepared this event to create a meaningful occasion for our sponsored players, who had a strong year, to spend time with our customers," a Madcattos official said.

Sept. 15, 2026

Kim Si-woo to compete at Genesis Championship next month in title showdown with Im Sung-jae

Kim Si-woo will compete in the Genesis Championship, co-sanctioned by the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour. The tournament organizing committee announced Tuesday that Kim has confirmed his entry in the Genesis Championship, which runs for four days from Oct. 22 at Woojeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. It will be Kim's second consecutive year at Woojeong Hills Country Club, having also competed there last year. "I'm very happy to be returning to the Genesis Championship this year," Kim said. "The support from the fans during the 2025 tournament was truly incredible. I look forward to meeting the fans again this year and putting on a great show." Kim has enjoyed a standout season on the PGA Tour, finishing in the top 10 eleven times, including three runner-up finishes. Both his runner-up count and total top-10 finishes this season rank second in the world, trailing only world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States. Currently ranked 13th in the world — the highest of any Korean or Asian player — Kim became the first Korean golfer in history to surpass $10 million in single-season earnings on the PGA Tour. His career earnings have also exceeded $40 million. Kim will compete later this month in the Presidents Cup in the United States as a key member of the International Team, and he enters the subsequent Genesis Championship as one of the strongest title contenders. He is expected to go head-to-head with Im Sung-jae in the race for the championship in Cheonan. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, the Genesis Championship is South Korea's largest international golf tournament, carrying a purse of $4 million. Since its inaugural edition in 2017, the event has run without interruption — even through the COVID-19 pandemic — and has grown alongside Korean men's golf throughout that time. The tournament's roll of champions includes inaugural winner Kim Seung-hyeok as well as Lee Tae-hee, Im Sung-jae, Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Jae-kyeong, Kim Young-su, Park Sang-hyeon, Ahn Byeong-hun and Lee Jeong-hwan — a who's who of Korean golf. The winner will receive $680,000 in prize money, a Genesis vehicle and a two-year playing card valid on both the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour from 2027 through 2028. The highest-ranked KPGA Tour player in the field will also earn a spot in next year's Genesis Scottish Open, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Tickets and tournament information are available through the official ticketing platform Unitix. A second-round early-bird discount on daily admission tickets is currently underway, with weekend passes, full-tournament passes and souvenir packages also on sale.

Sept. 15, 2026

Ex-UFC fighter Nam Eui-chul to commentate MMA at Asian Games

Spotv to air recorded coverage Sept. 20–22; Nam promises 'in-depth, multidimensional' analysis Former UFC fighter Nam Eui-chul will serve as a commentator for the mixed martial arts events at the 2026 Asian Games. Spotv and Spotv Now will air recorded coverage of the 2026 Asian Games MMA bouts, held Sunday through Tuesday at the Inabe Sports Center in Nagoya, Japan. Nam will join the broadcast team as a color commentator, delivering on-the-ground analysis to viewers. Nam, who currently competes for Black Combat, is a former Spirit MC 70-kilogram champion and the inaugural Road FC lightweight champion, and has also fought in the UFC. Since retiring from active competition, he has built an extensive broadcasting resume, providing commentary for events including the US-based PFL and domestic competitions such as Ring Championship and KMMA. "I am very happy that MMA has been adopted as an official Asian Games sport," Nam said. "I will do my best to deliver in-depth, multidimensional analysis to viewers." MMA was approved as an official discipline at the 2026 Asian Games by the Olympic Council of Asia's executive board. The competition features six weight categories: men's modern 60 kg and 71 kg, men's traditional 65 kg and 77 kg, women's modern 54 kg, and women's traditional 60 kg. The rules are broadly similar to standard MMA, but equipment requirements have been tightened to protect competitors. All athletes must wear a mouthguard and groin protector, as well as shin guards. In the traditional divisions, athletes compete in a gi. Unlike the modern format, the traditional rules allow fighters to grab the uniform to execute throws or use the lapel to apply chokes. South Korea will send three athletes to the tournament: Yoon Tae-young in men's traditional 77 kg, Choi Eun-seok in men's modern 71 kg, and Lee Bo-mi in women's modern 54 kg. The national team is training with a goal of winning three bronze medals. Beyond the Asian Games, Nam continues to commentate for KMMA, a domestic amateur and semi-professional MMA circuit, contributing to the discovery of emerging talent and the broader expansion of combat sports in South Korea.

Sept. 15, 2026

Lee Seung-woo left out again: analyst cites physical, defensive shortcomings

Football commentator Park Moon-sung has offered his analysis of why Lee Seung-woo has again been left off the South Korean national team squad, this time under new head coach Robert Moreno. Moreno announced his first squad for the national team on Monday. Three players — Kim Keon Hee (23, Incheon United), Park Tae-jun (27, Gimcheon Sangmu) and Kim Min-su (20, Rangers) — earned their first senior international call-ups, while Lee Seung-woo was once again absent from the list. Lee, 28, has been one of North Jeolla Province's key attacking players this K League 1 season, contributing eight goals and three assists for 11 attacking points. He has been in particularly strong form since the World Cup break, scoring five goals and adding two assists. Yet a return to the national team has again eluded him. When asked at a press conference why Lee had been left out, Moreno declined to give a direct answer. "Today I will only speak about the players I have selected. I will not go through each player who was not selected," he said. He added, "If I have something to tell a player, I will not do it publicly. I will say it to that player face to face." Park analyzed the omission on his YouTube channel "Dalsune Live." Park said competition for spots in the second line of attack is fierce, making it difficult for Lee to break through. "That position is hard to get into unless you are performing at a very high level. Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) can also drop into that role, so it is not an easy spot to claim," he said. "It was the same at the last World Cup, and before that too. Honestly, he has not been called up much recently," Park said, adding that he was aware Lee had been putting up strong attacking numbers for North Jeolla Province this season. Park then offered his interpretation of how national team coaches have tended to view Lee. "The sense he shows when he comes on in the second half and disrupts the game — that part is fine," Park said. "But to compete at the international level, at the national team level, you need physicality and defensive ability." "Looking at it a bit coldly, I think coaches have consistently seen him as lacking in those areas," he added. "People ask why he is not being picked, and I think that is the reason." Park also analyzed the overall composition of the squad, saying it appeared to be built around players who featured at the North and Central America World Cup, with Moreno adding players suited to his style of play. He suggested Moreno may be using this first call-up to assess the existing pool of national team players before reshaping the squad to better reflect his own footballing identity. South Korea will face Ecuador at 8 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Suwon World Cup Stadium, then take on Uruguay at 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The team will then meet Venezuela at 8 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium and Uzbekistan at 8 p.m. on Oct. 6 at Yongin Mir Stadium.

Sept. 15, 2026

81-year-old skater shines at 16th Minister of Culture Cup inline speed skating competition

Inline skating enthusiasts from across the country gathered for a recreational sports festival that bridged generations. Cha Du-yeon, known as the "Busan Seagull Grandma," kept up her spirited racing at 81. The Korea Roller Sports Federation hosted the 16th Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister's Cup National Lifestyle Inline Speed Skating Competition at the Jecheon Indoor Roller Skating Rink in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, over two days on Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Sports Promotion Foundation, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Jecheon city and the Jecheon City Sports Council, and organized by the North Chungcheong Province Roller Sports Federation and the Jecheon City Roller Sports Federation, the event brought together competitive inline speed skaters and recreational enthusiasts from across the country in an inter-regional team competition. The competition drew participants from several age-based divisions — the under-12 (elementary) and under-15 (middle school) categories for development-track athletes, as well as the under-18 (high school), university and open divisions for recreational participants. The track saw a wide range of ages, from young development skaters to adult and elderly recreational enthusiasts. Races were held on the 200-meter track at the Jecheon Indoor Roller Skating Rink, where competitors showcased skills honed through training. Beyond the rankings, the event served as a gathering place for skaters and enthusiasts from around the country to connect and enjoy the sport together. Among the standout stories of the competition was the performance of Cha Du-yeon, 81, of the Busan Metropolitan City Roller Sports Federation — affectionately known as the "Busan Seagull Grandma." Cha finished second in the 500m+D event, demonstrating undiminished passion and skill well into her eighties. Cha made history in March when she became the first athlete in the federation's history to receive the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's Sports Award for Excellence, leaving a landmark record in the roller sports community. She has consistently trained and competed in inline skating events, embodying the values of healthy aging and lifelong sports participation through recreational athletics. Cha also won the oldest-participant award at the National Recreational Sports Festival's inline skating competition in both 2024 and 2025, two consecutive years of recognition for her continued involvement. Her energetic performance at this year's event drew enthusiastic applause from fellow competitors and officials alike. The Korea Roller Sports Federation plans to use the competition as a platform to develop young athletes while expanding the reach of recreational inline skating to adults and the elderly, and to strengthen exchanges and camaraderie among regional teams. "This competition is especially meaningful because skaters from children to people in their eighties can enjoy roller sports on the same track," federation President Kim Kyung-seok said. "We will continue working to promote recreational sports and expand opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy roller sports and lead healthy lives."

Sept. 15, 2026

Chandler picks Mauricio Ruffy to upset Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331

Chandler, who fought Ruffy, says he hits 'much harder than people think' Tsarukyan's ground game unlikely to work, former opponent warns The UFC lightweight bout between Mauricio Ruffy and Arman Tsarukyan shapes up as one of the biggest fights in the division — a de facto No. 1 contender's match. Tsarukyan, the top-ranked lightweight who lost a title shot to injury, is desperate to earn another crack at the belt, while Ruffy has been riding a wave of momentum with the kind of flashy striking that has drawn comparisons to Conor McGregor in his prime. Michael Chandler, who faced Ruffy in his most recent fight, boldly backed the underdog. Having traded punches with Ruffy firsthand, Chandler said the Brazilian hits far harder than most people realize. Ruffy has stopped both Rafael Fiziev and Chandler by TKO in back-to-back fights, cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division. Fighting out of a wide, upright karate stance, he delivers sharp, powerful single shots that have led many fans to dub him the "Brazilian McGregor." Appearing on "The Ariel Helwani Show" recently, Chandler said Tsarukyan is a skilled and consistently active fighter who almost certainly has a solid game plan to beat Ruffy. "But the question is whether he can actually execute that game plan," Chandler said. "I think Ruffy is going to land some big shots." Chandler predicted Tsarukyan would avoid a stand-up exchange and instead look to take the fight to the ground. "Arman is obviously going to try for takedowns — he's not going to want to stand and trade with Ruffy, so he'll try to pressure him on the ground," he said. "But I couldn't do it either. Ruffy has momentum on his side right now, while Arman has a ring-rust problem from time away from competition." Chandler said he doubted Tsarukyan's ground strategy would pay off. Outside observers still lean toward Tsarukyan, who is widely regarded as a grappling specialist even if critics find his style dull. According to international bookmaker Betway, Tsarukyan is listed at -400 to win, while Ruffy is the underdog at +300. Ruffy and Tsarukyan meet in the co-main event of UFC 331, set for Saturday (local time) in Los Angeles. The winner is widely expected to face current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje next. The main event features a flyweight title rematch between champion Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.

Sept. 15, 2026

Bolivia match-fixing storm: Goalkeeper threatened with death unless he concedes 3 goals

Bolivia's professional football scene has been thrown into turmoil after a coach claimed his goalkeeper received death threats before a league match. According to the AP, as reported by Yonhap, Leonardo Egues, head coach of Bolivian first-division club Guabira, said on Tuesday (local time) that his goalkeeper Juan Manuel Perel had been threatened with death. Perel allegedly received the threats before Guabira's match against Always Ready last weekend. "Our goalkeeper was threatened with his life, his wife's life and his mother's life," Egues said. "They threatened to kill his family if he did not pay a set amount of money or concede three goals in the match." "You cannot prepare seriously for a match when you are receiving death threats," Egues added. "Something suspicious is going on and it needs to be investigated." The match, played at Always Ready's home ground, ended in a 6-0 victory for Always Ready. The Bolivian professional footballers' union called for an immediate investigation into the allegations. "We cannot let what happened to the Guabira players go uninvestigated," the union said. "A clear precedent must be set for Bolivian football." Always Ready, despite winning the match, also called for a probe. The club's legal counsel said it would ask prosecutors to investigate "to protect the integrity of sport," adding that "football must not be tainted." Guabira has yet to issue an official statement. In the current Bolivian league standings, Always Ready sits second, behind leader Bolivar, while Guabira is ninth. Hong Kong football also hit by match-fixing allegations Match-fixing allegations have also recently surfaced in Hong Kong football. In June, Hong Kong's anti-corruption body, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force held a joint press conference to announce they had uncovered an illegal gambling syndicate directly linked to the local football scene, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency and the South China Morning Post, Yonhap reported at the time. Of the 19 people arrested on charges of match-fixing and illegal gambling, seven were current or former Hong Kong footballers and two were active coaches. Several local clubs were also said to be implicated. The remaining suspects included the ringleader and members of the illegal gambling syndicate, as well as participants in the illegal betting operation. Investigators found that the syndicate had created accounts on multiple illegal gambling websites and used players to collect and manage illegal betting funds. The suspects faced charges of running illegal gambling operations tied to the North and Central America World Cup, various international matches, and local Hong Kong games. They were also accused of manipulating local league results to profit from their bets.

Sept. 15, 2026

New North American MMA promotion Ki MMA to launch next year

Continental, global tournament format revived; former Bellator president Scott Coker at the helm A new global MMA promotion based in North America will launch early next year under the name Ki MMA. Veteran promoter Scott Coker, who signaled his return to MMA in May, held a press conference in New York on Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) to unveil the promotion's name, format and other details. According to the announcement, Ki MMA is set to officially launch in the first quarter of 2027 and will hold bouts in a ring rather than a cage. The promotion will also revive the traditional grand prix tournament format used by the UFC in the 1990s and Japan's Pride FC in the 2000s. No fighters signed to Ki MMA were announced at the event. However, local media reported that a number of legends who competed under Coker's previous promotions — Strikeforce and Bellator — attended, including Randy Couture, Fedor Emelianenko, Nate Diaz, Rich Franklin and Royce Gracie. Current PFL featherweight champion Cris Cyborg was also in attendance. The name "Ki" refers to life energy. "I thought of 'Kiai' as a martial arts name — 'ki' is the energy of martial arts," Coker said. "I really love this name." The first tournament will be held at featherweight (65.8 kilograms). Eight-fighter tournaments will take place across four continental regions — North America, South America, Asia and Europe — with the four continental champions then competing in a global grand final to determine an overall world champion. Ki MMA will also bring back the "two bouts in one day" format once common in MMA events. In the past, some promotions ran so-called one-day tournaments in which the entire bracket was completed in a single day, with finalists fighting up to three times. The format has largely disappeared in recent years due to injury risks and the unpredictability they create. While tournaments will be Ki MMA's core content, not every bout on a card will be part of one. Tournament bouts are expected to make up roughly one-third of the total matchups. Coker said the promotion would move aggressively to sign fighters. "The first featherweight tournament is a generational project aimed at discovering young talent and developing the next generation of stars," he said. "We're going to sign a lot of fighters over the next few months. Given the size of our budget, there is no free agent we can't sign."

Sept. 15, 2026