Seoul sports association looks to Japan for community fitness answers

Secretary General Kim Seong-beom: 'Lessons from the field must translate into sports programs citizens can feel' Lifestyle sports instructors from Seoul's 25 districts head to Nagoya and Gifu for hands-on training Participants will run 5 kilometers alongside a local running crew to experience resident-driven sports culture Program examines everything from school physical education to neighborhood community sports What drives citizens to start exercising — and to keep at it? Facilities and programs matter, but so does the instructor who draws people in. The Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council is heading to Japan to find answers, launching an exchange and learning initiative at community sports sites there. The council will send lifestyle sports instructors active in all 25 of Seoul's district sports associations on a five-day study tour of Nagoya and Gifu, Japan, from Wednesday through Sunday. The trip is designed to give instructors direct exposure to international best practices and to help them explore new coaching approaches and ways to boost citizen participation. What sets this tour apart is that participants will not simply visit sports facilities — they will step directly into spaces where local residents actually play. The centerpiece activity is a 5-kilometer run alongside a local Japanese running crew. Participants will share the same course as neighborhood residents, experiencing firsthand how sport brings people together and builds relationships. The core aim is to observe how a local community organizes itself and how residents come to participate voluntarily and consistently. The experience carries broader significance because it reframes the role of lifestyle sports — shifting the focus from basic exercise instruction toward community engagement and the building of social bonds. Organizers hope the tour will prompt instructors to rethink how they can help citizens start exercising with minimal barriers and sustain that participation over time. Japanese school physical education and after-school sports activities are also on the itinerary. Participants will examine how local lifestyle sports programs and advanced sports facilities are run, exchange ideas with Japanese sports officials, and observe how diverse sporting activities connect with the wider community. Particularly valuable will be examining how school and community sports activities are linked — and what programs are used to raise resident participation — offering lessons directly applicable to Seoul's own lifestyle sports scene. The tour carries another layer of value: it brings together lifestyle sports instructors from all 25 of Seoul's districts to share their experiences with one another. Because each district differs in its facilities, resident needs and program conditions, the accumulated field knowledge of these instructors can be a valuable asset in designing new lifestyle sports programs. During the tour, participants plan to exchange their coaching experiences and highlight successful cases, then collectively identify ideas from Japan's operating models that could be applied back in Seoul. Ahead of the trip, the council held a preparatory meeting Friday. Participants reviewed the key venues on the itinerary, the detailed schedule and on-site activity plans, and checked off pre-departure preparations for a successful tour. Secretary General Kim Seong-beom, who attended the meeting, underscored the importance of the instructors' roles and their field experience. "I am grateful for the dedication of lifestyle sports instructors who work on the front lines every day for the health and vitality of our citizens," Kim said. "I hope this tour becomes a meaningful opportunity to experience international best practices firsthand and learn new coaching methods, and I encourage everyone to actively apply what they gain to their work in the field." The success of lifestyle sports does not rest solely on how many programs are offered. What matters is how easily citizens can join in and whether they can sustain that activity as part of daily life. Whether this Japan tour can move beyond an observation of foreign sports culture and translate into real changes that expand exercise opportunities for Seoul residents remains to be seen.

Nov. 5, 2026

Samsung even Korea Series at 1-1 with extra-inning win over KT

Diaz scores go-ahead run on Oh Yun-seok's errant throw Goes 4-for-6 with 2 RBIs in standout performance Starter Fedde earns daily MVP after 7 innings, 1 run The Samsung Lions evened the Korea Series at one game apiece Wednesday, outlasting the KT Wiz in a 12-inning thriller at Suwon KT Wiz Park. Samsung won Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series — a best-of-seven — 3-2, capitalizing on a defensive miscue in the top of the 12th to push across the decisive run. Having rallied from 0-8 down to within 7-8 in Tuesday's Game 1 only to fall short, Samsung used Wednesday's victory to square the series. With both road games now split, the Lions head home to Daegu with a chance to seize momentum. The game turned in the top of the 12th with the score tied 2-2. Samsung opened the inning with a leadoff single to left by Park Seung-gyu. Diaz hit into what appeared to be a double-play grounder to second but sprinted down the line to beat the relay and keep the inning alive. Kim Sang-jun then singled to right, setting up a one-out, first-and-second situation. KT pitcher Woo Gyu-min fielded Lee Jae-hyeon's grounder and threw to second to retire the lead runner. But second baseman Oh Yun-seok's throw to first sailed wide, and Diaz, running from second, never stopped — scoring all the way home with the go-ahead run. Samsung turned to Bae Chan-seung to close out the 12th. With two outs and a runner on second, Bae induced Kim Hyun-su to ground out to second, preserving the one-run victory. Diaz was the offensive standout for Samsung. Batting fifth and playing first base, he went 4-for-6 with two RBIs and a run scored. He had already hit a triple in the second inning, a double in the fourth and a single in the sixth — leaving only a home run to complete the cycle — before adding an RBI single in the 10th. Both starters delivered quality outings, each going seven innings and allowing just one run. Samsung's Chris Fedde gave up eight hits and a walk while striking out three; KT's Ko Young-pyo scattered seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Fedde was named the game's daily MVP. Samsung drew first blood in the second inning. Choi Hyung-woo doubled, and Diaz followed with a triple that caromed off the top of the right-field fence to make it 1-0. KT answered in the fourth, when Sam Hilliard doubled and Heo Gyeong-min drove him in to tie the game. Both teams squandered scoring chances in the middle innings. Samsung loaded the bases with one out in the sixth but Ryu Ji-hyeok hit into a double play. KT also stranded runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Diaz's RBI single to right in the top of the 10th put Samsung back in front, but KT responded in the bottom half when Kim Hyun-su drew a bases-loaded walk with one out to tie it 2-2. KT could not convert a subsequent bases-loaded opportunity and failed to take the lead. Samsung's Kim Tae-hoon threw a scoreless 11th to earn the win, while Bae Chan-seung picked up the save. KT's Oh Won-seok took the loss. After a day off, the two teams meet for Game 3 at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Nov. 4, 2026

2026 Jeonju World Inline Marathon set for Sunday

The 2026 Jeonju World Inline Marathon, co-hosted by World Skate and the Korea Roller Sports Federation, will be held Sunday starting at 8 a.m. along an 11-kilometer course connecting the former Jeonju Comprehensive Stadium and Jeonju World Cup Stadium, drawing a large field of world-class competitors. Now in its 21st edition, the event has been elevated to an official World Skate marathon tour event after the international governing body recognized the race's two-decade history, role and standing. It also serves as the final round of the 2026 World Skate Marathon Tour, adding further significance to this year's edition. As the final round of the 2026 World Skate Marathon Tour, the race will bring together 150 world-class skaters from 23 countries — including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia, Taiwan and Japan — alongside South Korea's national team athletes. The field includes defending champion Felix Richnen and podium finishers from tour stops in Shanghai, Pamplona, Naples and Asunción. Competitors will vie not only for the race title but also for the 2026 world inline marathon championship. The central question heading into the event is who will emerge as the overall champion. International skaters will look to leverage the tour points they have accumulated to clinch the championship title, while South Korean athletes will push hard against the overseas contingent in pursuit of a podium finish. Registration, open from Aug. 24 to Oct. 9, drew more than 3,000 entrants across several categories: the 42-kilometer open division, the 21-kilometer competitive divisions for youth, adults, seniors and club groups, the 6-kilometer elementary school competitive division, and a 6-kilometer non-competitive division. Participation by both general entrants and registered athletes rose, buoyed by the event's status as an official World Skate marathon tour race and the Korea Roller Sports Federation's policy of awarding national team selection points. Volunteer recruitment to support smooth race operations was also completed alongside the registration period. Korea Roller Sports Federation Chairman Kim Gyeong-seok said the event, recognized by the international federation for its 20-year history, presents "a great opportunity to showcase the true value of the Jeonju World Inline Marathon to the world," adding that he looks forward to seeing South Korean athletes compete brilliantly against their international rivals and stand on the podium. "We will continue working to establish the Jeonju World Inline Marathon as a globally popular and uniquely distinctive inline marathon event," Kim said.

Nov. 4, 2026

Nelly Korda clinches LPGA Tour Player of the Year for second consecutive season

World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States has clinched the LPGA Tour Player of the Year award. The LPGA Tour officially announced Wednesday (Korean Standard Time) that Korda had been named Player of the Year. She won four times this season, including back-to-back victories at the Chevron Championship and the US Women's Open, and has held the world No. 1 ranking throughout the year. It is the second time Korda has received the honor, following her 2024 award. The LPGA Tour Player of the Year is determined by a points system based on tournament results, with the award going to the player who accumulates the most points. Korda leads with 239 points, followed by Ryu Hae-ran in second with 176 points, Yamashita Miyu of Japan in third with 156 points, and Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand in fourth with 155 points. Ryu missed a chance to close the gap after withdrawing from last week's Maybank Championship due to injury. The other contenders, Yamashita and Jeeno, have decided not to compete in The Annika tournament next week. As a result, Korda's Player of the Year title is now mathematically secured regardless of results in the remaining three events. With the Player of the Year award, Korda has accumulated 26 points toward the 27 needed for induction into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame — one point short of the threshold. If she wins even once in the two remaining tournaments this year, she will be inducted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame at age 28.

Nov. 4, 2026

Park Sung-hyun cruises through KLPGA seed-ranking qualifier with 8-under round

Park Sung-hyun has comfortably advanced through the qualifying round of the KLPGA 2027 season seed-ranking tournament. Playing in Group A of the qualifier at Muan Country Club's West-South course (par 72) in Muan, South Jeolla Province, Park fired an 8-under 64 on Wednesday to finish at a total of 7-under 137, good for a share of 14th place and a berth in the main round. Park had struggled to a 1-over 73 in the first round on Tuesday but bounced back emphatically, carding eight birdies against no bogeys. Park will compete in the four-day main round, also at Muan Country Club, beginning Nov. 10. Park entered the tournament with a resolve to start fresh, setting aside past glories. Having cleared the first hurdle, Park now faces four grueling days of competition in the main round. Park turned professional through the KLPGA's second-tier Dream Tour before joining the KLPGA Tour in 2014, going on to win 10 titles before making the move to the LPGA Tour in 2017. In a debut season, Park swept the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards. Over three seasons, Park claimed seven LPGA titles, including two majors, and reached world No. 1. Injuries later derailed that momentum, leading to a prolonged slump. In Group A of the qualifier, Ko Eun-hye and Shin Yu-jin shared the top spot at 11-under 133. Park Seo-jin, Kang Jeong-hyeon and Jeong Ji-min 2 all finished at 10-under 134 to tie for third and also advance to the main round. A total of 349 players entered this year's qualifying round, split into three groups to determine who would advance. Groups A and B, with 115 players each, sent the top 33 through, while Group C, with 119 players, advanced the top 34. The 100 qualifiers will join exempt players — including those ranked 60th to 80th on the KLPGA Tour's money list, 16th to 20th on the Dream Tour money list, and second through eighth at the International Qualifying Tournament — for the four-day main round. Known as the "race from hell," the main round will award full KLPGA Tour cards for next season to roughly the top 20 finishers.

Nov. 4, 2026

Korean Sport & Olympic Committee signs sports exchange MOU with Namibia NOC

Agreement to expand cooperation through joint training and personnel exchanges The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has signed an MOU with the Namibia National Olympic Committee to expand sports exchange between the two countries. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced Wednesday that it signed the agreement with the Namibia NOC on Tuesday (local time) at the King Fahd Palace Hotel in Dakar, Senegal, to strengthen sports exchange and cooperation. The signing ceremony was attended by Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min, Namibia NOC President Ndeulipula Hamutwua and Secretary General Anri Parker, among others. The MOU grew out of a meeting between the two organizations during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September. It was formally concluded during the Dakar Summer Youth Olympic Games to put into concrete form the sports cooperation framework discussed at that time. The two organizations agreed to pursue personnel exchanges involving executives, coaches, referees and sports science specialists, and to explore joint training programs making use of Olympic legacy resources. They also plan to share information and experience related to the Olympic Movement and to cooperate in anti-doping efforts and sustainable sports activities. "I hope this agreement will further invigorate sports exchange between South Korea and Namibia and serve as an opportunity to strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries," Yoo said. "We will continue to pursue substantive cooperation so that athletes, coaches and sports professionals across a wide range of fields can share their experience and expertise and grow together."

Nov. 4, 2026

Ko Seok-hyun eyes third UFC win: 'I'll broaden my vision and diversify my attacks'

Diet and weight training boost strength ahead of Turman bout 'Tunnel vision to finish cost me — I wasn't fighting like myself' 'I'm ahead in every area — striking and grappling both' Choo Sung-hoon's focused retirement prep draws admiration Ko Seok-hyun, nicknamed "Technical," is sharpening his game management after suffering his first UFC defeat. The 32-year-old has vowed to set aside the urge to finish his opponent and instead win through a wider range of attacks. Ko (13-3) faces Wellington Turman (30, Brazil) in a welterweight (77.1 kilograms) bout at UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brady, to be held Sunday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Korean Standard Time). A student of "Stun Gun" Kim Dong-hyun, Ko had won two straight after his UFC debut before suffering a unanimous decision loss to Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani in July — his first defeat in five years and his first since joining the UFC. "I feel like I didn't fight like myself," Ko said in a video interview Wednesday. "I should have attacked through more varied routes, but my vision narrowed — I was only targeting the face. My game management was poor too." Ko particularly identified his eagerness to finish the fight as what derailed his performance. "In that last fight, I was impatient because I wanted to end it, and when things didn't go my way, I panicked," he said. "This time I'll show the weapons I've prepared and adapt to the flow of the fight. Winning comes first — you need the win to get the next opportunity." Since the loss, Ko has focused on filling the gaps in his game. He expanded his offensive options, added weight training and strength work, and tightened his diet to build more power. He even postponed his honeymoon after getting married last month to stay in the gym. "There's no pressure," Ko said. "Because I could see what was lacking, I actually prepared for this fight with excitement — knowing that fixing those things means I can perform even better." Opponent Turman (18-8) is a veteran with a 3-6 UFC record. He trains under former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira at Teixeira MMA, where he works alongside former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Turman blends Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu into a well-rounded striking and grappling game. Twelve of his 18 professional wins have come by KO or submission, including eight by submission. However, he has lost three straight, and a left shoulder injury sustained in his 2023 bout against Jared Gooden required four surgeries, leaving him sidelined for roughly three years. "There's a reason he's been in the UFC for so long — he's solid across the board," Ko said. "I particularly have to watch out for his surprise submissions." Even so, Ko flashed a confident smile and said, "I think I'm ahead in every area — I don't see anywhere I'm behind." Rather than committing to one discipline, he plans to mix striking and grappling as the situation demands. Ko is a decorated grappler who won gold at the 2017 FIAS Combat Sambo World Championships. Across his three UFC bouts, he has landed 10 takedowns and controlled opponents from dominant positions for a combined 25 minutes and 12 seconds. The new nickname "Technical," which Ko began using ahead of his last fight, reflects his desire for change. "My wife came up with it," he explained. "The T from 'Technical' and the KO from my surname spell TKO — and it also means I want to fight with technique." Addressing Turman directly, Ko grinned and struck a confident pose on camera. "See you Sunday," he said. "I'm going to teach you a lesson." The main event of the card features a welterweight clash between No. 5-ranked Gabriel Bonfim of Brazil and No. 6-ranked Sean Brady of the United States. Ko also spoke warmly about Choo Sung-hoon (51), known in Japan as Akiyama Yoshihiro, who has trained alongside Ko through their shared connection with Hava's Gym coach Kim Dong-hyun. "He works hard in morning sessions and pushes through every round even when it's tough," Ko said. "In the past I mostly saw him enjoying his training, but lately he's been so focused and serious in preparing for this fight — it's genuinely inspiring. I think he'll do great." The former UFC fighter Choo will make his retirement bout Nov. 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, at Black Combat 17: VANTABLACK, in a rematch against fellow UFC veteran Chris Leben of the United States.

Nov. 4, 2026

Yoo Ju-sang seeks second UFC win against Rahiki in Sydney

Yoo looks to snap two-fight skid against hard-hitting newcomer; Park Bo-hyun faces China's Meng Bo in Road to UFC final With his UFC roster spot on the line, Yoo Ju-sang is heading to Australia in search of his second UFC victory and a way out of a two-fight losing streak. Yoo will face Marwan Rahiki, 24, of Morocco in a featherweight bout (65.8 kilograms) at UFC Fight Night: Salkeld vs. Saint-Denis, set for Feb. 7 (Korean Standard Time) at Aware Super Theatre in Sydney Olympic Park, Australia. The bout marks his return to the octagon roughly five months after a split-decision loss to Michael Azswell Jr. in September. Yoo, who carries a 9-2 professional record, made a striking debut in the UFC last year, knocking out Zeka Saragi and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. The momentum stalled when he suffered his first professional loss — a KO defeat to Daniel Santos in October last year — and then dropped a decision to Azswell Jr. in September, leaving him on a two-fight skid. A turnaround is urgent. The UFC has shown a growing tendency to cut lower-ranked fighters without a marquee name if they suffer three straight losses. The organization has even released decision-heavy fighters such as Farid Basharat and Muhammad Mokaev in quick succession, so Yoo cannot afford to be complacent. Rahiki is also coming off a defeat. The prospect holds a 9-1 professional record and entered the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series last year. He finished all nine of his wins before dropping a decision to Tommy McMillen in September in a back-and-forth striking contest — his first professional loss. Now based in Sydney, Rahiki is looking to bounce back on home turf. Both fighters rely on striking as their primary weapon. Yoo began boxing in middle school and, after transitioning to mixed martial arts, has used precise, powerful punching to finish four of his nine wins by KO. Rahiki started kickboxing at 14 and moved from Morocco to Australia at 19, adding jiu-jitsu and other disciplines to develop into a well-rounded MMA fighter. Eight of his nine professional wins have come by KO, and he attacks with punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes. The Sydney card will also host the Road to UFC Season 5 finals, which determine which fighters earn UFC contracts. Park Bo-hyun, 27, has reached the women's strawweight final (52.2 kilograms) and will face China's Meng Bo, 30, for a UFC deal. The main event features lightweight No. 7 Quillan Salkeld, 26, of Australia against No. 6 Benoit Saint-Denis, 30, of France. In the co-main event, former UFC middleweight champion and current light heavyweight No. 11 Robert Whittaker, 35, of Australia takes on No. 8 Bogdan Guskov, 34, of Uzbekistan.

Nov. 4, 2026

Hanminjok Hapkido championship to be held in Changnyeong in December

Competition spans poomsae, self-defense, weapons and falling techniques President Seo Seong-il calls event 'a milestone for preserving traditional skills' A national-level hapkido championship aimed at preserving the traditional techniques of Hanminjok Hapkido and testing competitors' skills will be held in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. The Korean Hanminjok Hapkido Martial Arts Association announced Wednesday that it will host the 2026 Hanminjok Hapkido President's Cup Poomsae, Self-Defense and Falling Techniques Championship on Dec. 19 at the Changnyeong-gun Public Gymnasium. The event is designed to preserve hapkido's traditional techniques and promote them worldwide. The association operates more than 400 branch schools in 45 countries and runs hapkido education programs, seminars and competitions both domestically and abroad. Competition categories include poomsae, self-defense, weapons techniques, falling techniques and team demonstrations. In the poomsae division, athletes perform sequences linking offensive and defensive movements with bare hands. Judges evaluate precision, stability and control of force across forms ranging from basic poomsae to the 108-technique form, the kihap form and the breaking form. The self-defense division features techniques for subduing an attacker, including wrist grabs, clothing grabs, throws and knife defenses. Weapons techniques are divided into staff, sword, nunchaku and combined weapons. The falling techniques division showcases distance falls, height falls, basic falls and technical falls. Team demonstration events include a group routine for teams of 15 or more and a six-person poomsae performance. An official ceremony at 11 a.m. on the day of the competition will feature domestic and international demonstration teams performing breaking techniques, aerial falls and traditional poomsae. The association was founded by Grand Master Seo In-seon, who established the Korea Kuksool Won in 1961 and went on to found the World Kido Federation's world headquarters in 1985, dedicating decades to spreading hapkido internationally. President Seo Seong-il, the grand master's eldest son, has continued that work by organizing hapkido training workshops and original-form preservation seminars at home and abroad. "The original techniques of Hanminjok Hapkido are more than mere fighting skills — they are a cultural heritage that has been systematically developed over decades," Seo said. "I hope this championship becomes a milestone for properly preserving and passing down those traditional techniques." The World Kido Federation and the Korea Kuksool Won are co-organizing the event.

Nov. 4, 2026

Pitching management the key as kt, Samsung look to Game 2 of Korean Series

8-run lead nearly squandered; both bullpens falter Ko Young-pyo holds edge vs. Samsung; Fedde blanked kt in August Lee Kang-cheol, Park Jin-man both admit pitching mistakes The Korean Series opened with a slugfest on Tuesday, and both teams left the ballpark with questions about their pitching. The kt Wiz held on to win despite nearly blowing an eight-run lead, while the Samsung Lions showed a fierce late-game surge. With both offenses proving their firepower, pitching management has emerged as the decisive variable heading into Game 2. kt and Samsung meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Suwon KT Wiz Park for Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korean Series, a best-of-seven series. kt is looking to seize control with a 2-0 lead, while Samsung aims to even the series before heading home to Daegu. Game 1 on Tuesday exposed pitching vulnerabilities on both sides. kt built an 8-0 lead through six innings, powered by home runs from Ahn Hyun-min, Han Seung-taek and Kim Hyun-su. Samsung then erupted for five runs in the seventh — sparked by Koo Ja-wook's two-run homer — and added two more in the eighth to close within 8-7. kt preserved the win by bringing in closer Park Young-hyun with one out and the bases loaded in the eighth. Park worked 1⅔ innings to earn the save, capping the night by striking out the side in the ninth. kt manager Lee Kang-cheol expressed regret over his pitching decisions after the game. When starter Davis Daniel faltered in the seventh, Lee turned to Logan Allen, but the bullpen continued to allow runs and turned what should have been a comfortable win into a nail-biter. Lee acknowledged his own misjudgment, saying he had intended to bring in Oh Won-seok before Allen. He also mentioned the possibility of shifting Allen back to a starting role and using Jeon Yong-ju as the left-handed bullpen option. Samsung also ran into trouble early, as starter Choi Won-tae allowed five runs in just two innings, forcing the bullpen into action from the third inning on. Samsung manager Park Jin-man said he should have pulled his pitcher before Ahn Hyun-min hit a two-run homer in the third. That makes starter depth the central question for Game 2. kt will send Ko Young-pyo, who shared the regular-season wins title. Ko went 15-7 with a 3.28 ERA in 29 starts this season and was particularly strong against Samsung, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four head-to-head matchups. Ko also benefits from more than 20 days of rest since his last outing against Samsung on Oct. 11. A potential weakness, however, is his record against certain Samsung hitters — Koo Ja-wook went 4-for-9 against him, and Kim Ji-chan went 4-for-10. Samsung counters with foreign starter Chris Fedde. Fedde went 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 13 regular-season starts and has a strong recent memory against kt — he threw six shutout innings to beat them in August. The key variable for Fedde is stamina. He made two starts for Samsung during the playoff series against the KIA Tigers, including a strong outing on Friday in which he allowed just one run in 5⅓ innings after only three days of rest. With four days of rest heading into Game 2, attention will focus on his pitch count and when Samsung decides to pull him. On the offensive side, Ahn Hyun-min — who hit the two-run homer in Game 1 — is the player to watch for kt. Ahn reached base all three times he faced Fedde in the regular season, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Samsung, meanwhile, will be counting on Koo Ja-wook and Kim Ji-chan, who have both had success against Ko Young-pyo. History favors kt: in 42 Korean Series, the team that won Game 1 went on to claim the title 31 times, a rate of 73.8 percent. Teams that swept the first two games have won the championship 20 out of 22 times. For kt, winning Game 2 would dramatically improve their odds of a title. For Samsung, stopping the slide before the series shifts to Daegu is a must. After both offenses announced themselves in Game 1, the outcome this time figures to be decided on the mound.

Nov. 4, 2026

Late pitcher Choi Dong-won, who won 4 games alone in '84 Korean Series, named 2026 Sports Hero

Legend who led Lotte to first Korean Series title Contributed to world championship wins; enshrinement ceremony set for December A hero's legacy only grows clearer with time. The late Choi Dong-won, known as "Iron Arm" for single-handedly winning four games in the 1984 Korean Series to lead the Lotte Giants to their first championship, has been named the 2026 Sports Hero of Korea. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced Wednesday that it had selected Choi following a review of three finalists at its fifth Sports Hero Selection Committee meeting, held Oct. 27. The other candidates were Park Ju-bong in badminton and Hwang Young-jo in marathon. Choi is an indispensable legend in the history of Korean professional baseball. His defining moment came in the 1984 Korean Series against the Samsung Lions, when he alone accounted for all four of Lotte's victories, delivering the franchise its first-ever title. That feat — a single pitcher winning four games in one Korean Series — remains an unbroken record in Korean baseball to this day. Choi also shone on the national team stage, contributing to Korea's victories at the 1977 Intercontinental Cup and the 1982 Baseball World Championship and demonstrating the competitiveness of Korean baseball on the international scene. Over eight professional seasons, Choi took the mound in 248 games, finishing with 103 wins, 26 saves, 1,019 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.46. After retiring, he remained committed to the sport as a coach, television commentator, Korea Baseball Organization games operations committee member and national team performance analyst. Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min said Choi "left an indelible mark on Korean baseball history through his indomitable fighting spirit and drive," adding that he hoped "this Sports Hero designation will shine a light again on the achievements and spirit the late pitcher left behind, and serve as a great inspiration for the athletes of future generations." The Sports Hero of Korea program honors athletes who have elevated the nation's standing and contributed to the development of Korean sports through outstanding achievements, serving as a model for younger generations. Selections are made by combining evaluations of candidates' accomplishments with public support surveys. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee plans to hold an enshrinement ceremony for Choi in December.

Nov. 4, 2026

McGregor 'destroyed by drugs and alcohol,' close friend alleges in tell-all

Ex-UFC fighter Lobov alleges betrayal of coaches and friends Whiskey business dispute escalates into lawsuit Claims include family threats and vehicle arson UFC superstar Conor McGregor has come under fierce attack from a former close friend, who claims drugs and alcohol have changed the Irish fighter beyond recognition and that he has betrayed the coaches and friends who once stood by him. The accuser is Artem Lobov, a Russian fighter and former UFC competitor. On Tuesday, Lobov took to social media to criticize McGregor over financial disputes and personal conduct, laying out what he described as the collapse of their once-brotherly friendship. "We used to get together as friends and talk about why he was doing this to us," Lobov said. "We came to the conclusion that alcohol and drug abuse brings out the worst in him." He added: "A sober Conor would never treat people he called brothers that way. He was my brother, and I loved him like a real brother." Lobov also alleged that McGregor failed to honor financial commitments not only to him but to longtime coaches and teammates. He claimed that despite earning around $100 million from his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., McGregor never paid coach John Kavanagh the 5 percent of earnings he had promised. Lobov further alleged that McGregor fired a longtime friend just before Christmas and failed to pay other associates the compensation they had agreed upon. Lobov also claimed his own family had been targeted with threats. He alleged that McGregor arranged for someone to set fire to his vehicle and to threaten his 60-year-old mother with a hammer. Lobov is currently in an adversarial relationship with McGregor following a legal dispute over a whiskey business venture, however, making these allegations a one-sided account from someone with a clear personal stake in the matter. The two were once close friends who trained together at SBG Ireland gym in Dublin. Their bond ran deep enough that in 2018, when Lobov became embroiled in a conflict with the camp of Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor flew to New York to show his support. Their relationship soured over a financial dispute tied to McGregor's Irish whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve. Lobov claimed he had been promised a 5 percent stake in the venture in exchange for his contributions to the concept but never received it, and filed a lawsuit in 2022. The two sides reached a settlement in April this year, though the specific terms were not disclosed. Even after the legal dispute was resolved, the rift between them did not heal. The latest outburst was triggered by McGregor's talk of a UFC return. Lobov sarcastically suggested that McGregor's motivation for fulfilling his remaining contracted bouts was simply to fund his personal habits. The allegations about financial misconduct toward coaches and teammates, as well as the threats against Lobov's family, also emerged in the course of an online argument with McGregor's supporters. Reflecting on the McGregor he once knew, Lobov said: "We were brothers and had each other's backs no matter what." He then turned sharply critical: "Sadly, that Conor is gone. He was a real man — unmatched in the octagon, with the heart of a lion. Now he's just a lying drug addict." McGregor had not issued any public response to Lobov's claims as of the time of publication.

Nov. 4, 2026

Golfzon Holdings rebuffs MBK, says talks were cut off day before deal was set to close

MBK sold to The Siena Group after talks collapsed 'We never walked away — trust was broken,' Golfzon Holdings says Golf course leases, acquisition rights also in dispute A dispute between MBK Partners, the largest shareholder of Golfzon County, and second-largest shareholder Golfzon Holdings over the sale of the golf course operator is intensifying. Golfzon Holdings said MBK had agreed to sell its Golfzon County stake to the company but unilaterally broke off negotiations the day before the contract was to be signed, and warned of legal action. On Wednesday, Golfzon Holdings issued a statement rebuffing MBK's claim that the sale process was conducted properly, expressed regret over MBK's characterization of its objections as "false and distorted" and "groundless," and urged MBK to address the allegations raised during the sale negotiations. The conflict erupted after MBK signed a share purchase agreement on Oct. 27 to sell a 100 percent stake in Golfzon County to a consortium comprising The Siena Group and CL Asset Management. The deal values Golfzon County at about 1.8 trillion won ($1.34 billion), including debt. MBK invested in Golfzon County in 2018 and became its largest shareholder. MBK holds a 58.37 percent stake and Golfzon Holdings holds 41.63 percent; if all convertible preferred shares are converted to common stock, the stakes adjust to 68.4 percent and 31.6 percent, respectively. MBK has said it intends to invoke a drag-along right under the shareholders' agreement to force the sale of Golfzon Holdings' stake alongside its own. According to Golfzon Holdings, the two sides had agreed on Oct. 26 to sign a contract under which MBK would sell its stake to Golfzon Holdings. Golfzon Holdings said it had also moved up the planned closing date from January next year to Dec. 31 this year at MBK's request. However, Golfzon Holdings said MBK notified it on Oct. 25 — the day before the scheduled signing — that the deal could not proceed. Golfzon Holdings criticized MBK for negotiating with other acquisition candidates while presenting Golfzon Holdings as the sole party in talks, saying MBK had betrayed eight years of trust. MBK, for its part, said it had given Golfzon Holdings the first opportunity to acquire the stake but received no offer at the time, and that the final acquisition terms Golfzon Holdings later proposed were less favorable than those offered by The Siena Group. Golfzon Holdings said its right of first offer differs from a right of first refusal, which would have allowed it to match a third party's terms. It said MBK's claim that it had passed on the acquisition opportunity was untrue, given that it had actively participated in negotiations. The lease agreements on the golf courses are also in dispute. Golfzon Holdings said it has been leasing four of its golf courses to Golfzon County at low rents with no deposit, and that repeated requests to revise the lease terms had been rejected. MBK said the contracts were lawfully concluded under a 2018 agreement between the two sides. The two sides also disagree over responsibility for the failed initial public offering. Golfzon Holdings criticized MBK for showing little interest in a listing while pursuing a sale since 2023. MBK said the shareholders' agreement explicitly allowed for a third-party sale if an IPO fell through. Golfzon Holdings said it is reviewing whether contractual procedures and good-faith obligations were observed in the exercise of the drag-along right, and warned of legal action over the breakdown of negotiations, the lease agreements and the share sale process.

Nov. 4, 2026

Crown Haitai, Huons clash at top of PBA Team League Round 4

First-place team with four straight wins faces second-place side just one point behind Round 4 leader Crown Haitai and second-place Huons are set for a head-to-head showdown in the professional billiards PBA Team League. The two teams meet Wednesday at noon at the PBA Stadium in Kintex, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the fifth day of Round 4 of the Welcome Savings Bank PBA Team League 2026-2027. Crown Haitai stayed atop the standings with four wins and no losses (11 points) after defeating Hana Card 4-2 in sets Tuesday. Huons also kept second place with a 4-0 sweep of Woori Financial Capital, moving to three wins and one loss (10 points). With just one point separating the two sides, the top spot could change hands depending on the result. In head-to-head meetings this season, Huons leads the series 2-1. Crown Haitai raced out to a three-set lead against Hana Card, the Round 3 champions. David Martinez (Spain) and Kim Im-kwon won the first set 11-9, Baek Min-ju and Im Jeong-suk dominated the second 9-1, and Martinez beat Nguyen Quoc Nguyen (Vietnam) 15-6 in the third. Hana Card clawed back to take the fourth and fifth sets, but Crown Haitai sealed the match in the sixth when Baek Min-ju defeated Kim Ga-young 9-5. Huons dismantled Woori Financial Capital behind a strong performance from "Hulk" Kang Dong-gung. Kang teamed with Robinson Morales (Colombia) to win the first set 11-5, then beat David Zapata (Spain) 15-14 in the third. Huons wrapped up the match in the fourth set, where Ngo Dinh Nai (Vietnam) and Kim Ye-eun defeated Kang Min-gu and Kim Min-young 9-6. Welcome Savings Bank beat the Breakers 4-2 to extend their winning streak to three games and move into third place (three wins, one loss, eight points). Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao (Vietnam) beat Antonio Montes (Spain) 11-1 in the fifth set, and Choi Hye-mi defeated Hwang Min-ji 9-7 in the sixth. SY defeated NH Nonghyup Card 4-2 to climb to fourth place (two wins, two losses, seven points), while Harim beat High1 Resort 4-2 to finish sixth (two wins, two losses, six points). Wednesday's schedule opens with the Crown Haitai-Huons match, followed by Woori Financial Capital vs. SY, Hana Card vs. NH Nonghyup Card, High1 Resort vs. Breakers, and Welcome Savings Bank vs. Harim.

Nov. 4, 2026

Hwang In-su set for 'last chance' UFC audition against veteran Pereira

Middleweights clash at ZFN 05 on Dec. 19; Pereira returns to Korea for first time in 7 years South Korean middleweight contender Hwang In-su, 32, is making what could be a final push toward the UFC, with his next opponent set to be Michel Pereira, 33, a Brazilian veteran who went 10-6 inside the octagon. ZFN representative Jung Chan-sung announced Monday via the organization's YouTube channel that Hwang and Pereira will meet at "ZFN 05 Gungjung Janchi: TAL" on Dec. 19. The middleweight bout will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC's official streaming platform. Jung said the fight could be Hwang's last opportunity to earn a UFC contract, adding that the organization had already given him multiple chances and felt it could not keep pushing indefinitely. A loss would effectively end Hwang's UFC ambitions, but even a victory would not guarantee a contract. The UFC is expected to evaluate his performance alongside his Fight Pass numbers and overall marketability before deciding whether to sign him. Hwang holds a professional MMA record of 9 wins and 2 losses and is a former Road FC middleweight champion. Known for his powerful striking, he has developed into one of South Korea's top fighters and has pursued a UFC deal with ZFN's full backing. His bid stalled last September, however, when he lost a decision to Paddy McCormack of Ireland on Dana White's Contender Series, the UFC's fighter-recruitment program. Hwang returned to the domestic circuit and rebuilt his momentum in May at a ZFN event, stopping Alex Polizzi — a veteran of both Bellator and PFL — by TKO in the third round. Pereira represents a significant step up from anyone Hwang has faced before. The Brazilian carries a professional record of 32 wins, 15 losses and 2 no-contests. Since joining the UFC in 2019, he went 10-6 across 16 bouts at welterweight and middleweight, at one point riding an eight-fight winning streak that lifted him into the middleweight rankings. Pereira has gone 1-4 in his last five UFC outings, but his experience against world-class competition still commands respect. His final UFC appearance, in June, ended in a controversial decision loss to Sharabutdin Magomedov of Russia amid a dispute over a hair-pulling foul. Pereira has since left the UFC and been searching for a new home. The Korean scene is not unfamiliar territory for Pereira. Before his UFC run, he competed in Road FC three times in 2018 and 2019, finishing all three opponents — Yang Hae-jun, Choi Won-jun and Kim Dae-sung — by KO or TKO, leaving a strong impression on local fans. The fight carries real stakes for Pereira as well, and he is not expected to take it lightly. With this being his first bout since leaving the UFC, he will need to prove he still belongs among the world's elite. Jung noted that Pereira is eyeing a return to the UFC and has every reason to put on a convincing performance.

Nov. 4, 2026

WWE's Cody Rhodes says wife 'firmly refused' his MMA ambitions

Two-time Georgia state wrestling champion also trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu 'She rarely opposes my wild ideas, but that time she was absolutely clear' WWE star Cody Rhodes, 41, has revealed that he once seriously considered crossing over into MMA — only to abandon the idea after his wife put her foot down. Appearing on the podcast "Double Coverage," hosted by Zack Hersh, Rhodes said he had genuinely entertained the possibility of competing in MMA. "I thought about trying MMA. I told my wife Brandi that if I got the right training, I thought I could do it," he recalled. Brandi Rhodes, however, was having none of it. "It was rare for her to say no that firmly," Rhodes said. "She usually doesn't push back on my crazy ideas, but that time she was absolutely clear." He added that she may have simply pictured him getting badly beaten up in the cage. Rhodes is not a pro wrestler who merely dabbled in combat sports out of curiosity. He won the Georgia state high school wrestling championship twice and trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu during his school years. He noted that UFC was still growing at the time and had not yet reached the mainstream popularity it enjoys today. Jiu-jitsu gyms were also far less common than they are now, but he continued training after the wrestling season ended to stay in shape. Rhodes was candid about the limits of his combat sports background, however. He acknowledged that his jiu-jitsu was only average and noted the gap between the folkstyle wrestling he learned in high school and the skill set required for MMA. When asked which current WWE performer would be best suited to a real MMA career, Rhodes named Chad Gable. Gable represented the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2012 London Olympics, and Rhodes said that Olympic-level experience made Gable a far more natural fit for MMA. Crossing between pro wrestling and MMA is not without precedent. Brock Lesnar reached the top of WWE before winning the UFC heavyweight championship. Bobby Lashley also competed in both disciplines, splitting his time between the two. Former WWE star CM Punk took the opposite path with less success, going 0-2 in UFC bouts — one of which was later ruled a no-contest. Rhodes, too, had considered following in their footsteps, but his wife's opposition kept the idea from ever leaving the drawing board. He ultimately stayed in pro wrestling and went on to become one of WWE's biggest draws.

Nov. 4, 2026

Asakura fights champion but turns down title shot

Rematch with Gustavo comes 7 years, 8 months after first bout Unbeaten Sheidulaev defends against 20-year-old Japanese prospect Mikuru Asakura, Japan's biggest MMA star, is set to face a reigning champion while voluntarily passing on a title shot. Japanese MMA promotion Rizin held a press conference Tuesday and announced additional bouts for Super Rizin 6, scheduled for Dec. 31 at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Asakura will face Rizin lightweight champion Luis Gustavo, 30, of Brazil in a three-round non-title bout at a contracted weight of 71 kilograms. The two last met at Rizin 15 in April 2019 — 7 years and 8 months ago — when Asakura handed Gustavo the first loss of his professional career with a unanimous decision after a fierce striking exchange. Gustavo has since built his record consistently, claiming the lightweight title in May with a first-round TKO of Ihomu Nozimov. Asakura, meanwhile, competed primarily at featherweight before recently moving up to lightweight. It was Gustavo who pushed for the rematch, expressing his desire to fight the man who handed him his first defeat — and offering to put the championship belt on the line. Rizin also wanted a title fight, but Asakura disagreed, saying it would not be fair for someone who had only just begun competing at lightweight to jump ahead of other contenders for a title shot. Asakura said beating a champion, even without a belt at stake, would be enough to prove his worth. He most recently won at lightweight in September, stopping Japanese MMA veteran Shinya Aoki by TKO in the first round. However, the possibility of the bout being upgraded to a title fight has not been ruled out entirely. Rizin left the door open to that change when announcing the matchup. Also on the card is featherweight champion Razalbek Sheidulaev, 26, of Kyrgyzstan — the fighter who handed Asakura a painful defeat — who will defend his title against 20-year-old Japanese prospect Kyoma Akimoto. The unbeaten Sheidulaev stopped Asakura by TKO in the first round last December. In September, he also defeated former Bellator champion AJ McKee, who competed under the PFL banner, to hold titles from both organizations.

Nov. 4, 2026

KT holds on for 1-run win over Samsung in Korean Series opener

An Hyeon-min, Han Seung-taek, Kim Hyeon-su hit home runs KT led 8-0 before Samsung scored 7 runs in 7th and 8th innings Park Young-hyeon strikes out the side in 9th to seal victory KT Wiz narrowly fended off a fierce Samsung Lions comeback to win the opening game of the Korean Series (best-of-seven). KT defeated Samsung 8-7 in Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korean Series at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday. The regular-season champions advanced directly to the Korean Series as the No. 1 seed, built an eight-run lead on three home runs, then survived a late bullpen collapse to escape with a one-run win. KT is chasing its second combined championship in five years since 2021, and the series opener went in its favor. Historically, teams that win Game 1 of the Korean Series have gone on to claim the title 73.8 percent of the time — 31 of 42 series. KT's offense went to work against Samsung starter Choi Won-tae from the first inning. A hit and stolen base by Choi Won-jun, combined with a wild pitch, set up a first-and-third situation with one out, and Sam Hilliard drove in two runs with a double to left-center. Kim Sang-su then added another on an infield single to make it 3-0. In the third inning, An Hyeon-min followed a Kim Min-hyeok double by driving a Choi Won-tae changeup over the left-field wall for a two-run home run. Choi was pulled after two innings, having allowed five runs. Han Seung-taek added a solo shot to left-center in the fifth, and Kim Hyeon-su launched a two-run homer to right in the sixth, stretching the lead to 8-0. KT starter Davis Daniel was equally dominant through six innings. From the final batter of the second inning through Kim Ji-chan in the sixth, Daniel retired 13 consecutive batters and appeared to have the game well in hand. The game turned sharply in the seventh. Samsung's Koo Ja-wook hit a two-run homer to left-center after a Park Seung-gyu single, and a subsequent hit by Lewin Diaz chased Daniel from the mound. Samsung kept the pressure on against KT's relievers. Kim Seong-yun and Kim Yeong-ung hit back-to-back singles off Logan Allen to load the bases with nobody out, and Ryu Ji-hyeok's groundout brought in a run. Son Dong-hyeon struck out Kim Heon-gon, but Kim Jeong-un, who entered mid-at-bat against Lee Jae-hyeon, surrendered a two-run single that cut the deficit to 8-5. Samsung added another run in the eighth when Kim Seong-yun singled to center with runners on first and second and one out, following a Park Seung-gyu walk and a Koo Ja-wook single. KT turned to closer Park Young-hyeon, but a wild pitch with the bases loaded and two outs allowed another run to score, making it 8-7. A pinch-hit flyout by Kim Hyeon-jun to left field ended the inning and narrowly averted a collapse. Samsung's most costly missed opportunity came earlier in the eighth, when Koo Ja-wook — nursing a thigh injury — could not score from third on Ryu Ji-hyeok's fly ball to left with one out and the bases loaded. Park, who had allowed a run to score on a wild pitch in the eighth, was a different pitcher in the ninth. He struck out Lee Jae-hyeon, pinch hitter Jeon Byeong-u and Park Seung-gyu in order to shut down Samsung's final rally. Starter Daniel was pulled with nobody out and a runner on first in the seventh, finishing with six innings pitched, seven strikeouts and three runs allowed. KT's bullpen, however, surrendered runs in both the seventh and eighth innings, leaving questions heading into the rest of the series. The two teams meet again for Game 2 at the same venue Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 3, 2026

South Korean shooter misses world championships after federation fails to click 'save'

A national team shooter was unable to compete at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships in Doha, Qatar, after an administrative blunder by the Korea Shooting Federation — a competition where Olympic quota spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Games were on the line. Choi Ye-in, a third-year student at Juyeop High School, was unable to take her position on the firing line Tuesday in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the ISSF World Championships in Doha. The problem came to light Sunday when the team was collecting athlete accreditation cards: Choi's name was missing from the official entry list. The federation attempted to register her on-site with the ISSF, but the entry list had already been finalized and the request was denied. The federation said it believes a staff member entered Choi's information into the online system but closed the screen without clicking the "save" button. The federation required the employee responsible to submit a written account of the incident and placed the employee on administrative standby Monday. A personnel committee hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13. Choi had earned her place on the national team by finishing second in the selection trials. She had been set to compete alongside Ban Hyo-jin of the Daegu Facilities Corporation and Kwon Eun-ji of Uljin-gun Office — Ban being the gold medalist in the event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The official entry list for the women's 10-meter air rifle event, approved by the ISSF on Sunday, included 122 athletes. Only Ban and Kwon were registered for South Korea. In the women's 10-meter air rifle team event, rankings are determined by combining the individual qualifying scores of three athletes per country. With only two registered shooters, South Korea was also unable to enter the team competition. The championships mark the first opportunity for shooting athletes to secure quota places for the LA Olympics, with three spots available in the women's 10-meter air rifle event. Choi was seen in tears after learning she would not be able to compete, but picked up her rifle again, saying, "Still, I have to keep training." South Korean shooting had been beset by administrative problems even before the competition began. After the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the federation dissolved its existing athlete performance committee and formed a new one to select the national team for the 2027 season — a move that prompted the dismissed committee members to file an objection with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC). With the KSOC withholding approval of the national team roster, the 35 athletes competing at the championships were denied access to the national training center in Jincheon and instead gathered individually at Incheon International Airport before departing for Doha. The federation said it was "regrettable that even athletes whose selection is beyond question are being held up," while the KSOC said it "had no choice but to follow the rules, given the need to uphold the legitimacy of the national team selection process," adding that it "took steps to ensure athletes were not prevented from competing at a tournament where Olympic quota spots are at stake."

Nov. 3, 2026