Culture minister urges North Jeolla, Seoul to reach swift deal on joint Olympic bid

Minister meets North Jeolla governor to discuss 2036 Games bid Urgent need seen for deal on hosting format, division of roles Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young met North Jeolla Province Governor Lee Won-taek at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's Seoul branch on Tuesday to discuss strategies for securing the 2036 Summer Olympics. North Jeolla Province was selected as South Korea's candidate city at a Korean Sport & Olympic Committee vote in February last year, beating out the Seoul Metropolitan Government. In September, however, North Jeolla proposed co-hosting the Games with Seoul to address shortcomings in accommodation, transportation and venue capacity, making a revision to the original bid plan unavoidable. In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism suspended its review of the existing hosting plan, and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee said a separate process would be required to proceed with a joint bid. Choi said that since Seoul had also indicated its willingness to actively cooperate in co-hosting discussions, the two local governments must reach an agreement as soon as possible given the International Olympic Committee's schedule for selecting a host city. The IOC plans to narrow down, by March next year, which countries interested in bidding for the 2036 Games will be invited to enter strategic dialogue. That leaves North Jeolla Province and Seoul with little time to agree on a hosting format and division of roles before follow-up procedures must begin. Choi added that if the two sides reach a co-hosting agreement, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee stand ready to move quickly on the necessary procedures.

Nov. 3, 2026

Kim Hyo-joo, Yamashita set for Korea-Japan showdown in Japan

9 Korean players tee up at Toto Japan Classic Yamashita, youngest JLPGA winner, eyes 4th title of season The LPGA Tour's fall Asian Swing wraps up in Japan, with Korean players yet to claim a title in the three tournaments played so far. Attention now turns to whether they can halt Japan's momentum at the final stop. The Toto Japan Classic, carrying a $2.1 million purse, runs Nov. 5-8 at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course (par 72, 6,598 yards) in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture. A total of 78 players will compete — 43 from the LPGA Tour and 35 from the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour. The event is a no-cut, 72-hole stroke-play competition, with the winner taking home $315,000. Nine Korean players are in the field: seven LPGA Tour members — Kim Hyo-joo, Lee Mi-hyang, Jeon In-ji, Hwang Yu-min, Kang Min-ji, Joo Su-bin and Ko Jin-young — along with Shin Ji-ae and Lee Min-young, who compete on the JLPGA Tour. Korean players have yet to win during this year's Asian Swing. At the Buick LPGA Shanghai, Choi Hye-jin surrendered the lead and lost to Yin Ruoning of China. At the BMW Ladies Championship, Ryu Hae-ran and Choi finished tied for second, one stroke behind Yoshida Yuri of Japan. Yamashita Miyu of Japan then won the Maybank Championship, giving Japan two victories and China one across the three events. World No. 6 Kim Hyo-joo leads Korea's charge. Kim claimed back-to-back wins in March at the Fortinet Founders Cup and the Ford Championship to reach two victories on the season. She added runner-up finishes at the Dow Championship in June and the FM Championship in August but has not won since. This week she goes for her third win of the season and her 10th LPGA Tour title overall. Kim also has a winning record in Japan. As an amateur in 2012, she won the JLPGA Tour's Suntory Ladies Open at 16 years and 332 days — the youngest winner in the tournament's history at the time. This marks her first appearance at the Toto Japan Classic since a tie for 17th in 2024. Lee Mi-hyang, who won the Blue Bay LPGA in March, is also in contention for a second title this season. For Hwang Yu-min, Joo Su-bin and Kang Min-ji, securing a spot in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship is an equally pressing concern. Hwang sits 53rd in the CME Globe points standings and is well-positioned to qualify, but Joo (62nd) and Kang (65th) must climb into the top 60 to earn a place in the finale. On the Japanese side, Yamashita — fresh off her Maybank Championship victory — is the clear favorite. After winning twice in her LPGA Tour debut season last year, she has added three more titles this year to bring her career total to five. A win this week would give Yamashita four victories this season, drawing level with Nelly Korda of the United States and Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand for the most wins on tour. She also holds an advantage in the race for the Vare Trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average. Last year's edition saw Hataoka Nasa of Japan win in a playoff against Araki Yuna, also of Japan, after the final round was canceled due to severe weather. After the Toto Japan Classic, the LPGA Tour returns to the United States for the Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican and the CME Group Tour Championship before closing out the 2026 season.

Nov. 3, 2026

Asian Cup moved to December 2027 amid Middle East unrest

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed the 2027 Saudi Arabia Asian Cup from January to December next year, citing instability in the Middle East. The AFC announced Tuesday on its website that the tournament, originally scheduled to run from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, in Saudi Arabia, will now be held from Dec. 23, 2027, to Jan. 21, 2028. The decision was reached after close consultations between the AFC, the Asian Cup Local Organizing Committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The organizing committee said the schedule change was made "in consideration of exceptional circumstances, including serious logistical and travel disruptions caused by shifts in the regional situation." It added that the revised dates would be submitted to FIFA for final approval. The AFC thanked Saudi Arabia for its commitment to hosting a tournament befitting Asia's most prestigious national team competition, and said it would continue working with the organizing committee, sponsors, broadcast partners and all other stakeholders to minimize the impact of the postponement and ensure a successful event. Meanwhile, the delay gives South Korea's national team — currently operating under Interim Head Coach Roberto Moreno — more time to prepare for the tournament. Moreno's contract runs through this month. With the tournament originally set to kick off in January, there had been a real possibility that his deal would simply be extended as-is, but the postponement now gives the Korea Football Association more breathing room to select a permanent head coach. Moreno's side will play their final A-matches of the year in Doha, Qatar, facing Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 and Qatar on Nov. 17.

Nov. 3, 2026

Seoul sports council, education office run 23-sport superintendent's tournament

The Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council announced Tuesday that it is running the 2026 Seoul Metropolitan Superintendent's Tournament across 23 sports in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, as part of efforts to promote school athletics and develop student athletes. Open to elementary, middle and high school students in Seoul, the tournament began with squash on Aug. 1 and has since completed 11 events, including hockey, ssireum, swimming, boxing and kendo. The remaining 12 sports will be held in sequence this month, starting with badminton on Saturday. The per-sport superintendent's tournament was suspended in 2019 due to administrative burdens on schools, then revived last year after a six-year hiatus. The Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education signed an MOU in July last year, agreeing to cooperate on tournament operations, support for school athletic programs and coach development. Through the tournament, the sports council aims to expand competitive opportunities for student athletes and strengthen the development base for foundational and underrepresented sports. "We hope the superintendent's tournament will become a regular annual fixture that gives students more opportunities to compete," a Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council official said.

Nov. 3, 2026

Kim Min-sol, Seo Gyo-rim clash for money title, player of year at season finale

Daebo Housedi Championship tees off Friday in Paju Kim eyes four titles; Seo seeks to sweep individual awards Kim Min-sol and Seo Gyo-rim, the two players who have defined the 2026 KLPGA Tour season, will meet one final time to settle their rivalry. Kim, who holds a commanding lead in the money standings, and Seo, who tops the player-of-the-year points table, will go head-to-head at the season finale with multiple individual titles on the line. The Daebo Housedi Championship, the KLPGA Tour's season-ending event, runs for three days starting Friday at Seowon Valley Country Club's Seowon Hills West and South courses in Paju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,649 yards). The tournament carries a purse of 1.2 billion won ($895,000), with a first-place prize of 300 million won. A field of 60 players — the top 56 in season earnings plus four sponsor exemptions — will compete over 54 holes across three rounds, with no cut. The money title race is the most closely watched storyline. Kim, who has won three times this season, leads the earnings standings with a cumulative total of 1.6 billion won — the first player in KLPGA Tour history to surpass 1.6 billion won in a single season. Kim also clinched the Rookie of the Year award well before the season's end. Seo, a four-time winner this season, sits second in earnings at 1.41 billion won. The gap between the two stands at 188.6 million won. Kim will retain the money title regardless of Seo's result as long as she finishes second or better outright. In the player-of-the-year race, Seo holds the advantage. She leads the Welcome Savings Bank Player of the Year points standings with 563 points, 38 ahead of Kim's 525. The tournament awards points on the same scale as a major — 100 for the winner, 50 for second place and 48 for third. If Seo finishes in the top 10 and earns points, she will claim the player-of-the-year award unless Kim wins outright. A Kim victory, on the other hand, would give her the title regardless of anyone else's result. Should Seo fall outside the top 10 and earn no points, Kim could overtake her with a finish of tied seventh or better. Even if Kim finishes eighth outright — earning 38 points to draw level with Seo at 563 — Kim would take the award on the tiebreaker of higher season earnings. For Seo, injury recovery is the key variable. Seo withdrew from the Iceberg Golf-Seoul Shinmun Open and the BMW Ladies Championship last month and sat out last week's S-Oil Championship entirely. "I've been combining recovery exercises with practice over the past week and I'm feeling much better," Seo said. "I don't expect any problems with my game. I will absolutely defend my lead in the player-of-the-year standings — it belongs to the player who has been the most consistently strong throughout the season." "There's a little fatigue at this point in the season, but my overall condition is fine," Kim said. "I'm in a title race, but I just want to focus on giving everything I have until the very end." The two rivals' battle extends to the wins title and the lowest scoring average award. If Kim wins, she would match Seo's four victories and share the wins title, while also locking up the money title, Rookie of the Year and player-of-the-year award — a four-title sweep. Should she also claim the lowest scoring average award, she would become the first player since Shin Ji-yai in 2006 to win five individual titles in a single season. Seo, too, could complete a four-title sweep — player of the year, money title, wins title and lowest scoring average — if she wins the tournament and overtakes Kim in earnings. Seo currently leads the scoring average category at 70.6405 strokes per round, though Kim and Yoo Hyun-jo remain within striking distance. Lee Ye-won, who won last week's S-Oil Championship, is chasing a record of her own. A victory this week would make Lee the first player in KLPGA Tour history to win at least three times in four consecutive seasons. Only four players — Ku Ok-hee, Kim Mi-hyun, Shin Ji-yai and Lee herself — have previously managed three wins in three straight seasons. Last year's champion Hwang Yu-min will not defend her title, as she is competing on the US LPGA Tour. The tournament has served as the KLPGA Tour's season finale since last year, and this year's purse is 200 million won higher than last year's.

Nov. 3, 2026

Shin Sang-hoon looks to hold off Jang Yu-bin, Jeong Chan-min at KPGA season finale

KPGA Tour Championship tees off Thursday in Jeju; Song Min-hyuk joins money title race The winner of the 2026 KPGA Tour Genesis Award will be decided in Jeju. Shin Sang-hoon enters the season finale as the points leader, with Jang Yu-bin and Jeong Chan-min both in position to overtake him, while Song Min-hyuk makes a last-ditch bid of his own. The KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju, the tour's season-ending event, runs four days starting Thursday at the Valley and Teddy courses of Teddy Valley Golf & Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju (par 72, 7,332 yards). The tournament carries a total purse of 1.1 billion won ($820,000), with a winner's share of 220 million won. A field of 61 players — drawn from the top 70 in Genesis Points standings — will compete in a 72-hole stroke-play format with no cut. The Genesis Award race is the tournament's central storyline. Shin leads with 5,339.01 points, ahead of Jang in second place at 5,136.75 and Jeong in third at 5,064.77 — gaps of 202.26 and 274.24 points, respectively. With 1,000 Genesis Points on offer for the winner and 600 for the runner-up, all three players can clinch the award outright with a victory, regardless of how the others finish. Shin has been in strong form since winning the Golfzon Open in September, posting top-10 finishes in all five events he entered afterward. Over the full season, he has recorded nine top-10 finishes across 18 tournaments. "The points gap is close enough that I can't afford to let my guard down," Shin said. "I expect a lot of wind, so I'll play low trajectories and try to use it to my advantage." Jang has two wins and three runner-up finishes this season. He moved up to second in the Genesis Points standings after finishing runner-up at last week's Lexus Masters. A second career Genesis Award — following his 2024 title — would make him the first two-time winner since Choi Jin-ho claimed the honor in both 2016 and 2017, a gap of roughly nine years. Jeong has reached the top 10 seven times this season, including a victory at The Charity Classic last month. He also leads the tour in scoring average, birdie rate and par-break rate this season. Fourth-placed Song Min-hyuk (4,628.69 points) still has a mathematical chance, but the path is narrow: Song must win, while Shin must finish 10th or lower, Jang fourth or lower, and Jeong third or lower. The Genesis Award winner receives a bonus of 200 million won, a Genesis vehicle, a five-year KPGA Tour exemption, a one-year DP World Tour card and a direct berth into the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School. The season money title is also undecided heading into the finale. Jang leads with 784.46 million won in earnings, but Choi Chan in second place at 607.68 million won — and as far back as fifth-placed Shin at 570.86 million won — remain within striking distance. A victory for Jang this week would push his season earnings past 1 billion won, making him a two-time member of that club after first achieving the mark in 2024. Defending champion Park Sang-hyun is chasing both a title defense and a historic milestone: becoming the first player in KPGA Tour history to surpass 6 billion won in domestic career earnings. Park currently sits at 5.98 billion won, and a finish of tied ninth or better — assuming no more than one other player shares that position — would carry him past the mark. "My goal as defending champion is to go back-to-back," Park said. "I'm good at handling wind, so I'm feeling confident." Bae Yong-jun, who won last week's Lexus Masters, arrives looking to win in consecutive starts. Bae also claimed the KPGA Classic in Jeju last year, and another victory would give him wins in Jeju in back-to-back years.

Nov. 3, 2026

Messi, Ronaldo among FIFPRO World Best XI candidates — but no Asian players make the cut

Superstars Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), along with rising talent Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), are set to battle for spots on the FIFPRO World Best XI. The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) published its final shortlists of 26 candidates each for the men's and women's 2026 World Best XI on Tuesday (Korean Standard Time), Yonhap said. The lists were compiled from votes cast by 26,317 professional players across 75 countries — 19,806 men from 73 countries and 6,511 women from 64 countries. Messi, Ronaldo and Yamal were among those who cast ballots themselves. Men's candidates were evaluated on performances from Aug. 4, 2025 to July 19, 2026, with a minimum of 30 games played, while women's candidates were assessed from Aug. 4, 2025 to Aug. 16, 2026, with a minimum of 20 games played. Both Messi and Ronaldo made the eight-man forward shortlist, joining this year's Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and the highly touted Yamal in what promises to be fierce competition. By club, Arsenal led the way with four nominees: defenders Gabriel and William Saliba, goalkeeper David Raya and midfielder Declan Rice. No Asian players made the shortlist, including South Korean stars Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid) and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich). The World Best XI is determined by selecting the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who receive the most votes. The field player with the next highest vote total then fills the remaining 11th spot. The final 11 winners will be announced Monday (local time). FIFPRO Asia-Oceania Best XI results Meanwhile, FIFPRO announced in February that it would introduce a player-voted Best XI at the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup — the first such award at a continental competition in Asia. The Korea Professional Football Players Association said in April that Ko Yu-jin, captain of the South Korean women's national team, was named to the defender category of the FIFPRO Asia-Oceania Best XI. Ko contributed to South Korea's run to the semifinals at the 2026 AFC Asian Cup. Ko was joined in the defender category by Ellie Carpenter (Australia), Hana Takahashi and Saki Kumagai (both Japan). In the forward category, Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord (both Australia) and Riko Ueki (Japan) were selected.

Nov. 3, 2026

Bridgestone Golf-sponsored Lee Ye-won wins S-OIL Championship

Bridgestone Golf-backed players win two consecutive KLPGA tour events Lee Ye-won, sponsored by Bridgestone Golf, won the 20th S-OIL Championship on the KLPGA Tour, claiming her second victory of the season and her 11th career title. Lee clinched the title at Elysian Jeju Country Club in Jeju, with the tournament concluding Sunday. The final round was played in punishing wind conditions — only four of the 68 players in the field, including Lee, finished under par. According to Bridgestone Golf, Lee used the company's B-Forged irons and Tour B XS ball throughout the tournament. The Tour B series features dual-dimple technology designed to reduce air resistance and a Slip-Res coating that helps control spin. At the earlier KLPGA Tour Iceberg Golf-Seoul Shinmun Open, fellow Bridgestone Golf-sponsored player Ma Seo-young claimed her first career victory in a playoff, using the Tour B X ball. The back-to-back wins gave Bridgestone Golf-backed players titles in two consecutive tour events. Seokgyo Sangsa, the domestic retail distributor of Bridgestone Golf, said it plans to continue supporting Lee — whom it has backed since her junior days — along with its other sponsored players.

Nov. 3, 2026

'Stone Cold' trades the ring for the desert in second act of competition

Austin wins twice in off-road racing this year Plans to expand schedule next year despite vehicle crash 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, 61, the face of WWE professional wrestling, has found a new arena for his competitive fire — the rugged desert. The man widely regarded as the most popular star in WWE history is now pursuing a second athletic career in off-road motorsport. Wrestling Observer and F4W Online, two US outlets covering professional wrestling, recently reported that Austin has wrapped up his 2026 off-road racing schedule and plans to expand his competition slate next year. Austin competes through his own team, Broken Skull Racing, in events organized by the Valley Off Road Racing Association, known as VORRA, held in Nevada. "The 2026 Broken Skull Racing season is over," Austin wrote on social media. "We will be competing in the Stock Moto class again next year." He added that he plans to take on the full VORRA schedule as well as the King of the Hammers, the Mint 400 and Vegas to Reno. His results this year have drawn attention. Austin won the Stock Moto class at the Prospector 250 in Nevada in March, crossing the finish line eighth overall out of 45 vehicles. He claimed the same class title again at the Night Vision 250 in July. The season was not without setbacks. At the Stomping Grounds 300 in August, a driving error left his vehicle too damaged to finish the race. Austin and his co-driver were uninjured. He acknowledged the mistake at the time and said the experience had taught him a great deal. At the Monster Dash on Oct. 24 — the final race of the season — Austin showed strong form in qualifying and the early stages but could not complete the second moto. He nonetheless made clear his intention to enter more events next season. Traces of his wrestling past remain on his race car. The Kawasaki vehicle Austin drives carries the number 316 — a direct nod to his signature WWE catchphrase, "Austin 3:16," brought from the ring to the racetrack. Austin was the defining star of WWE's late-1990s golden era. His shaved head, blunt manner and black vest became his trademarks, and he built a wide following by relentlessly defying the villainous authority figure Vince McMahon. His post-match ritual of cracking open cans of beer in the ring became one of wrestling's most recognizable celebrations. His finishing move, the Stone Cold Stunner — dropping an opponent's jaw onto his shoulder — was his calling card. Austin retired in 2003 before making a one-off return at WrestleMania 38 in 2022 to face Kevin Owens. His move into off-road racing is not entirely recent: he won the VORRA Sportsman UTV class season championship in 2024 and has consistently competed since. His appetite for competition has not dimmed since leaving the wrestling stage. In an interview with Sports Illustrated in May, Austin said he had fallen deeply in love with off-road racing and wanted to keep competing for as long as possible. The legendary wrestler who once subdued opponents before roaring crowds now chases victories amid engine noise and desert dust. At 61, Austin's competitive drive is very much alive.

Nov. 3, 2026

KLPGA season finale 'Daebo Housedi Championship' tees off Friday

Tournament at Seowon Hills carries 1.2 billion won purse Fan engagement and charity programs also on offer The 6th Daebo Housedi Championship, the KLPGA Tour's 2026 season finale, will be held Friday through Sunday at Seowon Valley Country Club's Seowon Hills course in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Hosted by Daebo Group, the tournament carries a total purse of 1.2 billion won ($895,000), with the winner's share set at 300 million won. Attention will focus on who claims the final trophy of the season and how the key individual title races are resolved. Daebo Golf Team members Seo Eo-jin, Yang Hyo-jin and Song Eun-a will also compete for the title at their sponsor's event. The tournament has adopted "The Climax" as its subtitle and organized a range of programs for players and fans to close out the season together. Fan messages selected through a Seowon Hills social media event will be displayed on an LED screen when the relevant player steps onto the green during the final round. Throughout the tournament, a "Flag of Cheers" event at Gallery Plaza will invite spectators to write messages of support on flags. Community outreach activities are also planned. When a tee shot lands in the "Housedi Zone" at the 15th hole, a donation will be made to an employment support fund for people with developmental disabilities in that player's name. At the "Didimdon Foundation Zone" on the 9th hole, contributions will be accumulated for a junior golfer sponsorship fund. On Thursday, the day before the tournament opens, Daebo Golf Team players will give one-point lessons to junior golfers. Hole-in-one prizes are on offer at all four par-3 holes. The 16th hole features a BMW 520i valued at around 80 million won as its prize. Seowon Hills replaced its fairway turf this spring, switching from bentgrass to Korean zoysiagrass. Combined with the bunkers and fast greens, the changed fairway conditions are expected to make course management a key factor for the players. Daebo Group Chairman Choi Deung-gyu said he hopes the tournament will be "an event where players and fans close out the season together, sharing the emotion of the final competition, gratitude, and love for our neighbors."

Nov. 3, 2026

Golfzon to hold screen golf festival with W500m purse

Hole-in-one earns 5,000 won; albatross earns 1,000 won Golfzon will host the 2026 Paldo Festival Season 2, a screen golf event with a total purse of 500 million won ($374,000). The company said Tuesday the event will run from Monday through Nov. 29 at Golfzon Park stores nationwide, under the theme "Prize money stacks up with every swing — from par to hole-in-one." Now in its ninth edition, the event is open to players who log in at Golfzon Park stores equipped with TwoVision NX Plus, TwoVision NX or TwoVision Plus systems. The three tournament courses are Basestars CC, Pine Ridges CC (Pine and Lake), and Blackstone Belforêt CC. Players who complete 18 holes on each course begin accumulating prize money from their fourth round onward, based on scores of par or better. The amounts credited for par, birdie and eagle vary by course, while an albatross earns 1,000 won and a hole-in-one earns 5,000 won. Prize money will be paid out as G-Pass Money after the event ends. Players who complete their first round receive a 2,000-won mobile voucher, and those who finish all three courses receive an additional 3,000-won voucher. Choi Su-young, head of Golfzon's GS project planning team, said the company hopes players "enjoy the prize money that builds up with every round, along with the various benefits on offer."

Nov. 3, 2026

Park Young-hyun and Won Tae-in: the pitchers their managers are counting on

Lee Kang-chul: 'Hope Park gets MVP with 4 saves' Park Jin-man: 'Expecting Won's final roar from bullpen' The managers of KT Wiz and Samsung Lions, the two clubs competing for the Korean Series title, both named pitchers as their MVP picks. KT manager Lee Kang-chul chose closer Park Young-hyun, while Samsung manager Park Jin-man went with ace Won Tae-in. The two managers met Monday at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, the day before Game 1 of the Korean Series between KT and Samsung at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. Speaking at the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korean Series media day, both shared their expectations for the players who could decide the championship. When asked to predict the Korean Series MVP, Lee said he hoped all his players would perform well before singling out Park Young-hyun. "If KT can win the championship, I'd love for Park Young-hyun to earn it with four saves," Lee said. The remark reflected his hope that Park would protect all four of KT's victories in the best-of-seven series. Park has been the anchor of KT's bullpen this season, appearing in 56 games during the regular season and posting a 7-0 record with 30 saves and a 2.48 ERA. KT, which finished first in the regular season and advanced directly to the Korean Series, has had ample rest heading into the series. Lee said the current bullpen is even more settled than it was during the club's 2021 championship run. The relief corps, led by Park, ranks as a key variable in KT's title bid. Park Jin-man's pick was Won Tae-in. "Won Tae-in has been doing great work out of the bullpen," Park said. "I'm not sure how the final game will go, but I think Won will be the one roaring at the end — and I think he'll take the MVP." Samsung moved Won to the bullpen to cover for injured closer Kim Jae-yun. In the playoff series against KIA Tigers, Won appeared in relief in three games, allowing one run over 3⅔ innings to go 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA. Park said he plans to keep Won in the bullpen for Games 1 and 2 of the Korean Series, with a decision on returning him to the starting rotation to follow based on results and how the series unfolds. Won expressed a desire to be on the mound when the title is clinched. "If I get the start in the clinching game, I want to finish it with a shutout," Won said. "If I'm used out of the bullpen, I want to record the final save." Won pledged to live up to the manager's expectations. The two managers' MVP predictions share a notable common thread: both Lee and Park won Korean Series MVP awards during their playing careers. Lee took the MVP honor in the 1996 Korean Series while pitching for Haitai Tigers, posting 2 wins and 1 save with a 0.56 ERA against Hyundai Unicorns. Park earned the same distinction as a Samsung player in the 2006 Korean Series. Two men who were championship heroes as players now face each other as managers in the Korean Series, two decades on. Each is hoping the pitcher he has singled out will seal the final moment of glory. Game 1 of the KT-Samsung Korean Series starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. KT has named Davis Daniel as its starting pitcher, while Samsung will send Choi Won-tae to the mound.

Nov. 3, 2026

Abu Dhabi Championship draws up emergency plan as security fears mount in Middle East

DP World Tour has drawn up an emergency plan to suspend play and evacuate players as it presses ahead with this week's Abu Dhabi Championship amid heightened security concerns in the Middle East. Golfweek reported Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) that tournament officials have established emergency procedures requiring play to stop immediately and all players to evacuate the course if UAE authorities issue an official phone alert. The event runs from Thursday to Sunday at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The field features a host of world-class players, including Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Jon Rahm (Spain), Adam Scott (Australia), Patrick Reed (United States), Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton (both England). A "phone alert and emergency procedures" notice distributed to players spells out the protocol in detail. If UAE authorities issue a phone alert while players are on the grounds, play will stop immediately, signaled by a long air horn blast. Players and caddies must then leave the course and proceed to the clubhouse according to a designated evacuation plan. Tour staff will brief players at the clubhouse on the situation and next steps, with further information relayed through a players-only portal. Anyone who receives an alert while off the premises is instructed to follow the directions of local authorities contained in that alert. The measures are designed to eliminate confusion by setting clear response standards both inside and outside the venue. The emergency plan reflects concerns over armed conflict in the region and potential attacks on critical infrastructure. The US Department of State classified the UAE as a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" destination in a travel advisory issued Oct. 23, citing terrorism and armed conflict. It also warned that Iran-backed Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure — including airports in Saudi Arabia — could expand into surrounding areas. Anxiety among players has persisted. According to Golfweek, Matt Fitzpatrick (England) said in September he did not feel comfortable traveling to the Middle East, adding that becoming a father in August had made him more cautious about decisions affecting his family. He also expressed frustration at the difficulty of planning his schedule given the lack of clarity over whether the final two events would go ahead. The Golf Channel reported that 11 eligible players have withdrawn from the tournament. In addition to Fitzpatrick and Ryan Fox (New Zealand), the absentees include Kim Si-woo, Shane Lowry (Ireland), Justin Rose (England) and Robert MacIntyre (Scotland). However, not all withdrawals are security-related — some players cited personal scheduling reasons. DP World Tour had earlier told Golfweek that it would proceed with both UAE playoff events as scheduled, saying it was acting on advice from international travel consultants and continuing to monitor the situation. The emergency plan is not a cancellation but a safety measure to prepare for unexpected developments while the tour maintains its commitment to holding the event.

Nov. 3, 2026

UFC's Jonny Walker shrugs off brother matchup: 'I'm not that crazy'

Half-brother Valter also competes at heavyweight 'I can't hurt someone who shares my blood' Brazilian UFC fighter Jonny Walker, 34, has shrugged off any possibility of facing his half-brother Valter Walker, 28, in the octagon. Both brothers compete at heavyweight, but Jonny made clear that a family showdown is off the table. In an interview with MMA Fighting on Tuesday, Jonny was asked whether he would be willing to fight his brother. "Fight my brother? Are you crazy?" he said. "I'm not that crazy." He went on to explain his mindset inside the octagon. "I go in there to hurt people. Fighting is a very violent sport," he said. "I can't worry about whether my opponent has a mother or children. If I feel sorry for them, I'm the one who gets hurt." The two brothers trained together in Russia and remained close for years. Their relationship has grown somewhat strained, however, after Valter repeatedly made jokes about family members on social media. Jonny said he wants to spend more time with his brother and grow closer, but that Valter's crude humor and unpredictable behavior have made their mother and his wife uncomfortable. Still, Jonny expressed hope that his brother would mature with time. "Valter is only 28. I think by the time he's around 30, he'll be more grown up," he said. Jonny also left the door open to training together — with one condition. Even if Valter visits Las Vegas, staying at his home is not an option. "We can train together anytime. But my wife won't let him in the house," he said. "If he stays at a hotel, there's no problem training at all." Valter has also expressed reluctance to fight his older brother. In an interview with Brazilian MMA outlet Ag Fight in July, he said he would not accept such a matchup. "I respect my brother too much. He's the one who brought me into MMA," Valter said. Formerly known as Valter Inácio, he said he adopted the Walker name as a show of respect for his brother. "Without him, I wouldn't be who I am today," he said. Both brothers are carving out their places in the UFC heavyweight division. Jonny, who moved up from light heavyweight, made a successful debut at the new weight class at UFC 332 on Oct. 3, knocking out Mick Parkin of Britain with a knee strike at 3 minutes 35 seconds of the first round. He is next set to fight Sunday, when he takes on sixth-ranked heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta of the Dominican Republic in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas. Jonny stepped into the main event slot after the originally scheduled bout between Sean Brady and Gabriel Bonfim fell through due to Brady's injury. Valter, meanwhile, has been making a name for himself at heavyweight, winning his last five bouts — all by first-round submission.

Nov. 3, 2026

Welcome Savings Bank rides new signings to back-to-back wins in PBA Team League

Late additions Kang Yu-jin, T. Nguyen shine in round 4 Welcome Savings Bank rode strong performances from its newly signed players to win back-to-back matches in the Professional Billiards Association Team League. The team defeated SY 4-1 on set score Monday at the PBA Stadium in Kintex, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the third day of round 4 of the 2026-2027 Welcome Savings Bank PBA Team League season. Having lost to Hana Card in their round 4 opener, Welcome Savings Bank bounced back with wins over Huons and then SY to move to 2-1 with five points, placing fourth in the round standings. The wins were fueled by late additions Kang Yu-jin and Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao of Vietnam, both signed ahead of round 4. Welcome Savings Bank dropped the first set — a men's doubles match in which Jo Geon-hwi and Daniel Sanchez of Spain lost to Burak Hashas of Turkey and Mori Yusuke of Japan 6-11 — but leveled the score in the second set when Choi Hye-mi and Kang defeated Han Ji-eun and Lee Woo-kyung 9-7 in women's doubles. In the third set, Semi Sayginer of Turkey dominated Mori 15-6, and in the fourth set's mixed doubles, Sanchez and Yong Hyeon-ji beat Seo Hyeon-min and Lee 9-3. Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao then closed out the match in the fifth set, edging Hashas 11-10 in men's singles. Welcome Savings Bank had sat eighth overall through round 3, but the squad has shown an upward trend in round 4 following the roster reinforcements. The team will go for three straight wins Tuesday when it faces the Breakers. Crown Haitai swept Woori Financial Capital 4-0 to record three consecutive wins. NH NongHyup Card edged Hi1 Resort 4-3 in a full-set thriller to claim their first win of round 4. Huons and Hana Card also each posted 4-0 sweeps. Huons defeated Harim on the strength of Kang Dong-gung's performance, while Hana Card's Murat Naci Coklu of Turkey won two matches to lead the team past the Breakers.

Nov. 3, 2026

UFC title challenger trains with pepper spray to prepare for Gane's eye pokes

Challenger mocks champion's frequent eye-poke fouls ahead of UFC 334 title fight on Nov. 15 Josh Hohkit, the UFC heavyweight title challenger known for his eccentric antics, has released an unusual video of himself getting pepper-sprayed in the face — all in the name of preparing for champion Ciryl Gane's notorious eye-poke fouls. North American MMA outlets including MMA Mania reported Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) that Hohkit posted footage of himself being sprayed in the face as part of training to fight with limited vision. Hohkit challenges Gane's heavyweight title in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 15. Currently ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division, Hohkit is undefeated in 10 professional MMA bouts. The video shows Hohkit recoiling in pain after his training partner sprays him in the face. "That actually burns like crazy — I thought it was fake," he said, visibly caught off guard. He then turned the spray on his partner, who also complained of eye pain. The two had planned to use a fake pepper spray purchased online before moving on to mitt work, but the spray turned out to be far stronger than expected. Hohkit's training partner joked that the experience was just like taking one of Gane's eye pokes. The stunt is a pointed jab at Gane, who poked then-heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall of Britain in both eyes at UFC 321 last October, causing the bout to be ruled a no-contest. Aspinall maintained that Gane had done it deliberately, but the official ruling was an accidental foul. Aspinall underwent treatment for the eye injury and then reinjured his right eye during recovery in September, ultimately relinquishing the heavyweight title. Capsaicin, the active compound in pepper spray, causes intense pain and irritation to the eyes. Symptoms typically subside over time, but in serious cases hospitalization may be required, and there is a risk of permanent damage. Hohkit earned his title shot by stopping Derrick Lewis of the United States by TKO in the second round at a UFC event held at the White House in June. Gane, meanwhile, claimed the interim heavyweight title at the same event by finishing Alex Pereira of Brazil by TKO, and was later elevated to undisputed champion after Aspinall vacated the belt.

Nov. 3, 2026

World No. 1 Cho Myung-woo chases fourth win of season at Yanggu 3-cushion World Cup

149 players from around the world compete Monday through Sunday A fourth win would make history for first time in 18 years Cho Myung-woo, the world No. 1 in 3-cushion billiards, is set to chase a fourth title this season at the World Cup being held in Yanggu, Gangwon Province. The Korea Billiards Federation announced it will host the 2026 Yanggu 3-Cushion World Cup at the Yanggu General Sports Town in Gangwon Province from Monday through Sunday. The tournament features 149 of the world's top players, including Cho, Eddy Merckx of Belgium, Marco Zanetti of Italy and Dick Jaspers of the Netherlands. Cho, the all-time Asian leader in World Cup victories with six career titles, has already claimed the top prize this year in Bogota, Colombia in April, Ankara, Turkey in June, and Liège, Belgium in September. A victory in Yanggu would make him the first player to win four World Cup titles in a single season since Dick Jaspers did so in 2008 — a gap of 18 years. Cho is also chasing back-to-back titles at World Cups held in Korea, having won last year's edition in Gwangju. The field chasing Cho features a formidable cast of rivals. Merckx won the World Cup held in Korea in 2023, and Jaspers took the title at the Korean event in 2024. With Zanetti also in the mix, a fiercely competitive race for the championship is expected. The Yanggu event is the sixth stop on the 2026 Union Mondiale de Billard World Cup series. The season began in Bogota and has since traveled through Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Ankara; Porto, Portugal; and Liège before arriving in Yanggu. The series concludes with the final event in Hurghada, Egypt in December. It is the first time a 3-Cushion Billiards World Cup has been held in Gangwon Province. All matches will be broadcast live on Soop, and results and draw information will be available on the UMB's official website.

Nov. 3, 2026

Kim Bo-kyung, Ahn Song-i, Jang Ha-na, Park Kyol secure KLPGA 2027 season tour cards

Cards awarded based on performance and contributions to the association Kim Bo-kyung, Ahn Song-i, Jang Ha-na and Park Kyol have secured tour cards for the 2027 KLPGA Tour season. The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association said Monday that its sixth board of directors meeting of the Korea Women's Professional Golf Tour decided to grant the four players full tour membership for next year. The KLPGA awards tour cards for the following season to up to four players — selected through a board review — who are either members of the K-10 Club or have earned career prize money of 2.5 billion won ($1.87 million) or more, in recognition of their long-term contributions to the association's development. The selection process takes into account performance, contributions to the association and public profile. Kim and Ahn are both K-10 Club members who have surpassed the 2.5 billion won career earnings threshold. Kim, a four-time winner on the regular tour, claimed three victories on the Champions Tour this year to finish as the season's leading winner. Ahn became the first player in KLPGA Tour history to make 400 career starts. Jang is a veteran with 15 career wins on the regular tour and cumulative prize money of approximately 5.77 billion won. Jang was also the first player in KLPGA Tour history to surpass 5 billion won in career earnings. Park has maintained a regular tour card for 12 consecutive years and has been named a KLPGA promotional ambassador eight times. Park is also a K-10 Club member with career earnings exceeding 2.5 billion won. KLPGA President Kim Sang-yeol said the association would spare no effort to ensure that players who have contributed to the growth of women's professional golf in Korea can continue their careers with stability.

Nov. 2, 2026

'The fourth official came at me aggressively,' Hwang Hee-chan says amid pushback controversy

Hwang Hee-chan, the Schalke 04 forward who sparked controversy by shoving a fourth official and a team physiotherapist during a German professional football match, has broken his silence on the incident, saying the official approached him aggressively and got too close. According to German outlet Kicker on Sunday (local time), Hwang addressed the controversy directly, offering his account of the touchline confrontation. Earlier, Hwang started for Schalke 04 against Dynamo Dresden in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Oct. 29. Around the 40th minute of the first half, he went down after a challenge but no foul was called, prompting him to protest to the referee. Hwang then left the pitch for treatment, and during that process he shoved the fourth official and the team's physiotherapist as they approached him. The referee responded by showing him a yellow card. Schalke head coach Miron Muslic told reporters after the match that he had not liked Hwang's behavior. German tabloid Bild was more pointed, calling any physical contact with match officials an absolute taboo in football and writing that Hwang should "cross himself three times" for escaping with only a yellow card for such a reckless act. Hwang pushed back through Kicker, saying the fourth official "came at me very aggressively — he got too close, so I pushed him away." He added that he had not shoved or struck the official hard. "I really was not being aggressive," he said. Meanwhile, Hwang joined Schalke 04 last summer after leaving England. He has appeared in seven official matches since the move, recording one assist, and has yet to score his first goal for the club. "

Nov. 2, 2026

[Interview] Kim Won-seop, chairman of Seoul District Sports Association Council

'Expanding community sports facilities and achieving fiscal independence are urgent' Salary step system introduced for staff, 27 neighborhood sports associations activated to strengthen local sports foundation Park golf courses and tennis courts expansion underway, use of idle urban spaces proposed Pay gap among Seoul's 25 district sports associations to be addressed through improved compensation system Expansion of public sports facility management contracts emphasized as path to financial stability Creating an environment where any resident can enjoy their preferred sport close to home is the starting point of community sports policy. Yet facility expansion has failed to keep pace with growing public interest and participation, leaving a recurring shortage of venues by sport and persistent inconvenience for users. Local sports associations, which bear responsibility for grassroots athletics, face the added challenge of securing a stable operational foundation amid tight budgets and staffing constraints. Kim Won-seop, chairman of the Seoul District Sports Association Council and head of the Songpa-gu Sports Association, said expanding community sports facilities and stabilizing the finances of local sports associations must be pursued together to address these problems. His view is that community sports can only grow when the organizations and funding that support residents' athletic opportunities are themselves sustainable. In an interview Monday, Kim outlined operational achievements at the Songpa-gu Sports Association — including the introduction of a salary step system for staff and the activation of 27 neighborhood sports associations — and proposed institutional reforms to address the financial and staffing challenges common to all 25 district sports associations in Seoul. He said local sports associations should be given a greater role in managing public sports facilities so they can generate their own revenue and reinvest it in residents' athletic programs, creating a virtuous cycle. Salary step system introduced, neighborhood sports associations revitalized Since taking office, Kim has focused on building a stable operational foundation for the association. He believes improving staff compensation — so employees can plan long-term careers and accumulate expertise — is a prerequisite for developing local sports. The Songpa-gu Sports Association had previously lacked a pay structure that adequately reflected years of service and job responsibilities, meaning the gap between long-serving and newly hired staff was minimal. Kim negotiated with Songpa-gu to introduce a salary step system that accounts for job grade and length of service. By restructuring salaries and allowances along the lines of the civil servant pay scale, the association created more stable working conditions for its employees. Kim also invested effort in activating the neighborhood sports associations that form the grassroots of community athletics. By supporting all 27 neighborhood associations in Songpa-gu and expanding local sports events, he broadened residents' opportunities to participate — with the aim of making sports a catalyst not just for exercise but for neighborly exchange and community cohesion. Administrative conditions for sport-specific organizations were also improved. Several associations — including those for soccer and baseball — had lacked dedicated office space, so Kim secured offices for them, raising operational convenience and efficiency. He said improving staff compensation, activating neighborhood associations, supporting sport-specific bodies and expanding facilities have been his four core priorities in building the local sports foundation. 'There is nowhere to exercise' — more sports facilities urgently needed Alongside organizational improvements, the shortage of community sports facilities remains a pressing challenge. Songpa-gu does not have enough sports venues relative to its population, and the high cost of land makes it difficult to secure new sites. Demand has become particularly acute as interest in park golf, gateball and tennis has surged, widening the gap between supply and demand for those facilities. Kim said securing space to exercise is the most fundamental requirement for broadening the base of community sports. With dedicated facilities for sport-specific associations in short supply, he argued, simply expanding programs or increasing participation numbers has its limits. "The dream of people in sport associations is a playing field," Kim said. "There's just nothing available. If you want to play park golf, you have to go all the way to Hwacheon or Yangpyeong." As a practical alternative, Kim proposed making active use of idle urban spaces. The plan involves building sports facilities under elevated roads and on unused public land, and securing indoor sports venues for residents through linkage with redevelopment and reconstruction projects. He also said it is worth considering a system of incentives for developers who install publicly accessible sports facilities as part of urban renewal projects. The idea is to expand the supply of sports facilities by making efficient use of existing spaces, given the difficulty of acquiring new land in the city. Kim also proposed developing park golf courses on public land along the Han River and elsewhere. He added, however, that questions of land management authority and environmental regulations must first be resolved through consultations with the relevant agencies. He also said that where facilities are shared between sports — as is the case with gateball — space must be allocated with each sport's specific requirements in mind. Kim sees expanding sports facilities as more than just adding exercise space — he believes it can lead to improved public health and a more vibrant local community. To that end, he plans to work with National Assembly members and local government bodies to secure community sports facilities that residents can use conveniently in their daily lives. Fiscal stability and better pay for district sports association staff urgently needed Kim's concerns extend beyond Songpa-gu to the operating conditions of all 25 district sports associations in Seoul. As chairman of the Seoul District Sports Association Council, he said improving the uneven staff compensation and financial support systems across districts is an urgent priority. While Seoul's district sports associations share the common mission of promoting community sports, they differ considerably in staff pay structures, budget sizes and facility management conditions. Only some districts operate a salary step system, creating pay disparities even among staff performing essentially the same work. "Almost none of them have a step system," Kim said. "Right now only about five or six do — Songpa, Dobong and a few others." He said the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, the Seoul Metropolitan Sports Association and local governments must work together to systematically overhaul the job grades, salary steps and pay structures for local sports association employees. His reasoning is that employment stability and professional expertise among association staff ultimately determine the quality of community sports services delivered to residents. Reforming the financial structure is another challenge that can no longer be deferred, Kim said. District sports associations currently rely heavily on funding from local governments, which constrains their ability to pursue independent projects and draw up medium- to long-term operational plans. To raise the financial self-sufficiency of local sports associations, Kim proposed expanding their role in managing public sports facilities under contract. His idea is to make active use of provisions in the National Sports Promotion Act that allow local sports associations to take over management of public property, thereby broadening their participation in running community sports facilities. When local sports associations manage public sports facilities, they can raise the standard of facility management while generating their own revenue — which can then be channeled back into community sports programs and support for sport-specific associations, Kim said. He acknowledged, however, that for this to translate into genuine financial stability, the framework governing authority, responsibility and revenue use under such contracts must also be put in order. "The hardest thing is the budget," Kim said. "It would be great if the funding were allocated directly as the association's own money, but that's really not easy." Kim also raised the need to reform how sports promotion funds — including lottery proceeds — are distributed, calling for a system that provides stable funding to local sports associations based on factors such as regional population and community sports demand. He also stressed the importance of balanced development between community sports and elite sports. For the integration of the two sectors to produce real results at the local level, he said, policy support is needed to strengthen the operational base of sport-specific associations and to ensure that broader community sports participation feeds into the development of elite athletes. The vision Kim has laid out for local sports associations comes down to three challenges: facilities, people and finances — securing spaces where residents can exercise close to home, creating stable working conditions for sports administrators, and reforming the system so local associations can build their own financial base. Going forward, Kim plans to continue pushing for the expansion of community sports facilities in Songpa-gu while working through the Seoul District Sports Association Council to strengthen cooperation on improving staff compensation, reforming financial support systems and expanding public facility management contracts. His goal is to lay the institutional groundwork for local sports associations to evolve from bodies that simply disburse grant funding into professional organizations that drive local sports policy.

Nov. 2, 2026