Asian Games MMA bronze medalist Lee Bo-mi receives W10m prize

Lee Bo-mi, 27, who won South Korea's first-ever MMA medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, has received a 10 million won ($7,480) prize. Lee accepted the award from Korea MMA Federation Vice Chairman Hwang Il-young on Sunday at Jangchung Arena in Seoul, on the sidelines of the Goobne Road FC 079 event. Lee claimed the bronze at this year's Asian Games, where MMA made its debut as an official sport. She trained intensively for about a year and overcame a collarbone fracture to become South Korea's first Asian Games medalist in the sport. Hwang, appointed vice chairman of the Korea MMA Federation in October, traveled to Japan to watch Lee compete in person at the Asian Games. His company, Teolbone Aeksang Factory, is also an official Road FC sponsor. "The national team — including Lee Bo-mi, Yoon Tae-young and Choi Eun-seok — trained at their own expense and gave everything they had to raise the profile of Korean MMA under very difficult conditions," Hwang said. "Going forward, I will work to provide active sponsorship and support so that athletes can train in better conditions and Korean MMA can continue to grow."

Nov. 2, 2026

KT's Daniel vs. Samsung's Choi Won-tae set for Korea Series Game 1 showdown

Game 1 winner goes on to claim title 73.8% of the time Daniel has never faced Samsung this season Choi posted 6.94 ERA against KT this year Davis Daniel of the KT Wiz and Choi Won-tae of the Samsung Lions will start against each other in Game 1 of the Korea Series, a best-of-seven championship. KT Manager Lee Kang-chul and Samsung Manager Park Jin-man named the two pitchers as their Game 1 starters Monday at the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series media day, held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The two clubs open their title chase Tuesday at Suwon KT Wiz Park. KT, the regular-season pennant winner, will lean on Daniel, who emerged as a key figure in the team's second-half rotation. Daniel joined the club in late July as a replacement for Matt Sauer and went 5-2 with a 2.13 ERA over 10 starts. He was particularly sharp from September onward, going 5-1 with a 1.85 ERA over seven outings. At KT's home park in Suwon, he was even more dominant, posting a 1.16 ERA across five starts. Notably, Daniel has not faced Samsung once this season, meaning Samsung's hitters have no in-game experience against him — a factor KT is counting on. "I considered testing him against Samsung late in the regular season, but decided it was better not to show him at all," Lee said. "I settled on Daniel as the Game 1 starter early on." Daniel last pitched in an official game Oct. 6 against the Kiwoom Heroes, giving him roughly a month of rest. While the extended break should leave him physically fresh, how quickly he regains his competitive edge will be worth watching. Samsung is handing the ball to Choi Won-tae for the opener. Choi went 7-5 with a 4.68 ERA over 24 regular-season starts this year, but struggled in two outings against KT, going 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA. His most recent appearance was also underwhelming: in Game 3 of the playoff series against the KIA Tigers on Thursday, he allowed three hits and a walk over 1⅔ innings, giving up two runs before being pulled early. However, he threw only 38 pitches that day, so fatigue should not be a major concern. He also showed he can go deep into games against KT, having pitched 6⅔ innings and allowed four runs in a start against them on June 9. "With Won Tae-in moving to the bullpen, Choi Won-tae comes up in the rotation," Park said. "He was a bit off in the playoff, but he has a lot of experience. I hope he can show the same form he had in last year's postseason." On the KT side, Kim Hyun-su has a strong track record against Choi. Over the past two seasons, Kim has gone 5-for-10 with five RBIs against the Samsung right-hander. History underscores the importance of Tuesday's opener: the Game 1 winner has gone on to win the Korea Series in 31 of 42 editions, a success rate of 73.8 percent. The battle between KT, who earned a direct berth as regular-season champions, and Samsung, who advanced through the playoff round, is set to be fierce from the very first pitch.

Nov. 2, 2026

UFC veteran Kang Kyung-ho to challenge for Black Combat bantamweight title in debut bout

Black Combat 17 at Gocheok Sky Dome on Nov. 21 Kang to face champion Kim Jae-woong without a tune-up fight First competitive bout in about 2 years and 5 months since leaving UFC Korean MMA veteran Kang Kyung-ho (39) is joining domestic promotion Black Combat and will challenge for the championship belt in his very first bout with the organization. According to the official matchups Black Combat released Sunday, Kang will face bantamweight champion Kim Jae-woong (33) in the main event of Black Combat 17: VANTABLACK, set for Nov. 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul. Known by the nickname "Mr. Perfect" for combining sharp striking with a well-rounded game and striking looks, Kang is a fighter who came up through Korea's first generation of professional MMA. After competing in Spirit MC and Road FC — the country's pioneering pro MMA promotions — Kang entered the UFC in 2013 and spent more than 11 years inside the Octagon. Of a career record of 19 wins and 11 losses across 30 bouts, 14 came in the UFC, where Kang went 8-5-1 (no contest). That UFC appearance count is second among Korean fighters, behind only welterweight Kim Dong-hyun's 18 bouts and 13 wins, while Kang's eight UFC victories rank third, trailing middleweight "Iron Turtle" Park Jun-yong. Kang effectively served as South Korea's premier lower-weight representative on the global stage for more than a decade. Kang last showed momentum in June 2023, when Kang submitted Cristian Quiñones in the first round, but back-to-back decision losses to John Castaneda and Muin Gafurov followed. The bout against Gafurov in June 2024 was Kang's final UFC appearance. Kang announced the end of the UFC contract in January 2025 and is now set to return to competition after roughly two years and five months away. Opponent Kim Jae-woong is also a seasoned competitor with extensive international experience. Fighting under the ring name "Tusin," Kim has competed in major global promotions including ONE Championship and currently holds the Black Combat bantamweight belt. In the most recent outing at Black Combat 16 in January, Kim stopped Japan's Takenaka Daichi by TKO in the second round, extending a three-fight winning streak. Kim's official record stands at 16 wins and 8 losses. Kang's reputation earned the unusual distinction of a title shot immediately upon joining Black Combat, skipping any tune-up bout. The outcome of this first fight could open a new chapter for Kang on the domestic circuit. During the UFC tenure, Kang favored stand-up striking yet finished four wins — half the victory total — by submission, and all four losses came by narrow decision, reflecting a composed and well-managed fighting style. Kim, by contrast, is a pressure striker: roughly 75 percent of wins have come by KO or TKO. The key question is whether Kang, now navigating the aging curve, can weather Kim's aggressive striking and impose a winning game plan. The event will also feature a matchup between UFC veteran Choo Sung-hoon (known in Japan as Akiyama Yoshihiro), a Zainichi Korean fighter, and Chris Leben of the United States. That bout, billed as Choo's retirement fight, is scheduled before the Kang–Kim main event. Meanwhile, Black Combat has set an ambitious goal of filling all 20,000 seats at Gocheok Sky Dome — marking the first time a domestic MMA event has been held at the venue. At Black Combat 16, held Jan. 31 at Inspire Arena on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, the promotion drew more than 10,000 fans, setting a new attendance record.

Nov. 2, 2026

Boxing star who fought Canelo indicted on charges of assaulting ex-partner with gun

Berlanga struck victim in head with pistol inside vehicle Conviction on top charge could bring up to 15 years in prison Edgar Berlanga, 29, the American boxer who challenged Saul "Canelo" Alvarez for the unified world super middleweight title, was indicted on charges of assaulting a former partner with a firearm. ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported Thursday that Berlanga was indicted on charges of aggravated assault and assault in connection with a domestic violence incident in Florida. The incident occurred on Oct. 18 in Polk County, Florida. According to a police affidavit, Berlanga got into an argument with a former partner — with whom Berlanga shares a child — inside a vehicle, struck her multiple times with an open hand, then pulled out a pistol and hit her in the forehead with it. The victim told police she tried to get out of the vehicle but Berlanga grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her back in. She ultimately fled to a nearby convenience store, where bystanders called police. Responding officers documented swelling and bruising on her forehead and noted what appeared to be bruising on her left arm as well. Berlanga turned himself in to investigators on Oct. 26 and was arrested before being released on $16,000 bail. An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 17. The charges — aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, and assault, a first-degree misdemeanor — carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on the aggravated assault count if convicted. Berlanga holds a professional record of 24 wins, 19 by knockout, and two losses in the super middleweight division. After turning professional, Berlanga drew wide attention by winning 16 consecutive bouts by first-round knockout before losing a decision to Canelo in a world title fight in September 2024. This year, Berlanga signed a multi-fight deal with Ikonick Boxing, a promotion run by UFC CEO Dana White. In July, Berlanga stopped Steven Butler by knockout in the seventh round.

Nov. 2, 2026

South Korea's golf participation drops by 430,000 in two years

The number of active golfers in South Korea has fallen by about 430,000 compared with two years ago, a new survey shows. The decline reflects both a rise in the number of people who have played golf before but are no longer active and a drop in the share of non-players who intend to take up the sport, signaling a simultaneous slowdown in retention and new entry. The Korea Golf Association released the findings Monday in its 2025 Korea Golf Index survey. The study drew a sample of 10,000 people representative of the roughly 36.5 million adults in their 20s through 60s nationwide and was conducted in two rounds, in June and October. The survey found about 5.81 million people actively participated in golf in 2025, accounting for 15.9 percent of the surveyed population. That compares with about 6.24 million, or 16.9 percent, in 2023 — a decline of roughly 430,000 participants, or 7.0 percent. The participation rate also fell by 1.0 percentage point. The number of people with past golf experience, however, grew. In the 2023 survey, about 6.78 million respondents (18.3 percent) said they had played golf between 2020 and 2022. In the 2025 survey, about 7.66 million (21.0 percent) reported experience between 2022 and 2024. At the same time, the pool of non-players who said they intended to take up golf shrank from about 10.01 million (27.1 percent) to about 8.02 million (22.0 percent). Golf activity still centered on full-course rounds. About 4.99 million participants — 85.9 percent of the total — played in a format that included a field round in 2025, though that share was down 3.0 percentage points from 88.9 percent in 2023. Among those who took up golf for the first time, driving ranges were the most common entry point at 29.1 percent, followed by indoor screen golf facilities at 23.3 percent; together the two venues accounted for more than half of all new entrants. The motivations behind golf participation also shifted, with personal reasons losing ground. The share citing hobby as a purpose fell from 73.3 percent in 2023 to 59.0 percent in 2025, while stress relief dropped sharply from 52.3 percent to 31.9 percent. Socializing declined from 67.7 percent to 63.3 percent but remained one of the top stated reasons for playing. Business necessity rose from 16.7 percent to 19.0 percent. The shift toward business-related play was also visible in round companions. The share of golfers who played with business associates rose from 6.1 percent to 11.5 percent, while those who played with club or association members increased from 5.9 percent to 9.4 percent. Tee-time preferences moved toward weekdays as golfers sought to avoid the higher costs of weekend play. The share of weekday rounds rose 14.1 percentage points, from 48.1 percent in 2023 to 62.2 percent in 2025. Weekday morning slots — where greens fees tend to be lower — climbed from 21.8 percent to 31.1 percent, and early weekday dawn tee times grew from 6.7 percent to 11.6 percent. The trend points to a more cost-conscious approach to the sport alongside the overall drop in participation. Among those with overseas golf experience, 63.5 percent continued to play abroad in 2025, down 2.3 percentage points from 65.8 percent in 2023, though more than six in 10 with prior overseas experience kept it up. Thailand was the top destination at 41.8 percent, followed by the Philippines at 32.8 percent, Japan at 32.4 percent and China at 18.1 percent. Japan's share rose 6.3 percentage points from 26.1 percent in 2023, while China's climbed 3.8 percentage points from 14.3 percent. The full results of this and previous Korea Golf Index surveys are available on the Korea Golf Association's official website under the "Golf Index" section of its media menu.

Nov. 2, 2026

South Korea's golf population falls to 5.81 million, down 7% in two years

Korea Golf Association releases 2025 golf index Participation rate drops to 15.9% Weekday rounds surge to 62.2% of total South Korea's active golf population shrank by about 430,000 over the past two years, with slowing demand from new players signaling a broader cooling of the golf market. The Korea Golf Association (KGA) released the findings of its "2025 Korea Golf Index" on Monday. The survey estimated the number of active golfers in 2025 at about 5.81 million, representing 15.9 percent of the total surveyed population — down about 430,000, or 7.0 percent, from 6.24 million (16.9 percent) in 2023. The survey was conducted twice, in June and October, using a sample of 10,000 people representative of approximately 36.5 million adults in their 20s through 60s nationwide. The number of people who had played golf at least once in the past three years grew from 6.78 million in 2023 to 7.66 million in 2025. At the same time, the number of non-golfers who said they intended to take up the sport fell from about 10.01 million to 8.02 million — a drop of roughly 1.99 million — over the same period. The figures point to a simultaneous drop-off among existing golfers and a slowdown in new entrants. About 4.99 million golfers, or 85.9 percent of active participants, said they play on actual golf courses, down 3.0 percentage points from 88.9 percent in 2023, though course play remained the dominant form of participation. Among new golfers in 2025, 29.1 percent said they started at a driving range and 23.3 percent at an indoor screen golf facility, with the two venues together accounting for 52.4 percent of all new entrants. The reasons people play golf also shifted. The share citing hobby as their primary motivation fell from 73.3 percent in 2023 to 59.0 percent in 2025, while stress relief dropped from 52.3 percent to 31.9 percent. Business-related golf, however, rose from 16.7 percent to 19.0 percent. The proportion of business associates among playing partners climbed from 6.1 percent to 11.5 percent, and the share of club members playing together increased from 5.9 percent to 9.4 percent. A clear trend toward cost-cutting was also evident. The share of weekday rounds — generally cheaper than weekend play — rose 14.1 percentage points, from 48.1 percent in 2023 to 62.2 percent in 2025. Particularly notable were increases in weekday morning rounds, which climbed from 21.8 percent to 31.1 percent, and early-morning weekday rounds, which rose from 6.7 percent to 11.6 percent. Southeast Asia continued to dominate overseas golf travel. Thailand topped the list of destinations at 41.8 percent, followed by the Philippines at 32.8 percent. Japan's share rose from 26.1 percent in 2023 to 32.4 percent in 2025, while China's increased from 14.3 percent to 18.1 percent.

Nov. 2, 2026

Kim Ju-hyung finishes tied 6th at Mexico Open for 5th top-10 of season

Kim Ju-hyung secured a tied-sixth finish at the PGA Tour's Valspar World Mexico Open, recording the fifth top-10 result of the season. Kim shot a 5-under-par 66 on the final day Monday (Korean Standard Time) at Vídanta Vallarta (par 71) in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico, carding six birdies against one bogey. A total score of 18-under-par 266 placed Kim in a tie for sixth alongside Doug Kim, Brian Campbell and Pierson Coody, all of the United States. Kim had been tied for ninth on Sunday and climbed three spots on the final day, finishing seven strokes behind champion Andrew Novak of the United States. It was Kim's first tournament since winning the individual gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, and Kim posted a score in the 60s in all four rounds. Kim picked up birdies on the third and sixth holes before missing the green on the par-3 seventh for the day's only bogey. Kim quickly recovered with a birdie from 2.5 meters on the par-5 eighth. On the back nine, Kim collected birdies on holes 10, 12 and 14 before parring the final four holes. Kim had received a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball in the second round, having inadvertently swapped balls with playing partner Campbell. The penalty dropped Kim into a tie for 26th after a double bogey that round, but a bogey-free, six-birdie third round lifted Kim back into a tie for ninth. The title went to Novak, who entered the final round with a six-stroke lead and extended it further, closing with a 2-under round for a 25-under-par 259 total and a five-stroke victory. Novak collected the winner's check of $1.08 million. Last year, Novak teamed with Ben Griffin of the United States to win the team event at the Zurich Classic, and this victory marked the first individual title of Novak's career. Steven Fisk of the United States and Christopher Ventura of Norway each fired a final-round 8-under-par 63 to share the runner-up spot at 20-under-par 264.

Nov. 2, 2026

Twice-cut veteran Erosa closes career with comeback KO win

Lee Jung-young's early assault not enough as Erosa rallies 'I want to be with my family for as long as possible' Veteran Julian Erosa (37, United States), who clawed his way back to the UFC octagon after being cut twice, capped his fighting career with a dramatic comeback knockout victory. The final opponent for the retiring fighter was South Korea's Lee Jung-young (30). Erosa stopped Lee by punch KO at 1 minute 31 seconds of the first round in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan, held Sunday (Korean Standard Time) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Erosa had declared before the fight that he would retire regardless of the result. The win brought his career record to 32-13 overall and 10-9 in the UFC, closing out 16 years as a professional fighter. The final victory was anything but easy. Seconds into the fight, Erosa was dropped by a left hook and a right overhand from Lee. Erosa survived by grabbing Lee's legs and attempting a takedown, but after getting back to his feet absorbed another hard right hand. Erosa bought himself recovery time with a second takedown attempt, then restarted the striking exchange in the center of the octagon. When both fighters threw simultaneous overhands, Erosa's punch landed flush on Lee's chin. Erosa followed up with ground-and-pound to complete the comeback. "He came in way harder than I expected, and I was rattled at first," Erosa said after the fight. "I kept telling myself to get it together mentally. All the adversity I've been through over so many fights and so many years is what allowed me to get through that moment." Erosa's career was defined by setbacks. Turning professional in 2010, Erosa entered the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 in 2015, only to be cut. A return via Dana White's Contender Series in 2018 ended in another release. In 2020, Erosa stepped into the UFC for a third time and competed for the next six years. Having won his final fight after two cuts and three stints in the UFC, Erosa celebrated in the octagon with his wife and son. Family was also the main reason for the retirement decision. "After my son was born, my priorities in life changed. Fighting used to be everything to me, but now my son is everything," Erosa said. "I want to stay healthy and be with him for as long as possible — and live to see his children grow up." Erosa also explained why he had announced the retirement in advance. "I might wake up Tuesday morning and want to fight again, because that's how good I feel right now," Erosa said. "That's exactly why I decided to make this my last fight, win or lose." Erosa also left a message for fighters who dream of returning to the UFC after being cut. "You have to go back to why you love fighting in the first place," Erosa said. "If it's your true dream, don't give up just because you got cut — keep going until the end." After retirement, Erosa plans to return to his home state of Washington and pursue a business venture unrelated to combat sports. Lee, meanwhile, could not hold on to the early advantage and fell to three consecutive UFC losses. The Road to UFC Season 1 featherweight champion had gone 1-0 after his UFC debut before dropping three straight, leaving him 11-4 overall and 1-3 in the UFC. In the main event, Tom Nolan (26, Australia) stopped Renato Moicano by TKO via ground punches and elbows at 1 minute 28 seconds of the third round. Nolan extended his UFC winning streak to six and positioned himself for a push into the top ranks of the lightweight division.

Nov. 2, 2026

Samsung look to avenge late-season skid against KT in Korean Series

Samsung must solve KT starters Ko Young-pyo, So Hyung-jun Pitching fatigue a concern after playoff run Samsung held the upper hand in the regular-season head-to-head record against KT, but the Wiz won all four of the final meetings between the two sides. Attention now turns to whether Samsung can reverse that late-season momentum when it matters most — in the Korean Series. KT Wiz and Samsung Lions begin the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korean Series on Tuesday with Game 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Suwon KT Wiz Park, competing in a best-of-seven series for the championship. KT, the regular-season pennant winner, is chasing its first integrated championship since 2021. Samsung is seeking to reclaim the Korean Series title for the first time since 2014. It is the first time the two clubs have met in the postseason. Samsung finished the regular season with a 9-7 edge in head-to-head matchups. The Lions went 9-3 in the first 12 meetings, demonstrating clear dominance over KT. The tide turned late in the season, however. Samsung dropped four straight to KT — losing 0-2 in Daegu on Sept. 9, then 3-9 in Suwon on Oct. 7, and 3-12 and 2-4 in Daegu on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, respectively — surrendering the final four games despite holding the overall series advantage. KT's starting pitchers played a central role in flipping the script. In those final four matchups, KT deployed Ko Young-pyo and So Hyung-jun as starters twice each, winning all four games. Ko was particularly dominant, shutting out Samsung's lineup over seven innings in the Sept. 9 contest. KT's power hitting also proved decisive. Foreign slugger Sam Hilliard hit a grand slam against Samsung on Oct. 7, then followed up on Oct. 11 with back-to-back home runs off Samsung starter Ariel Huraldo, driving in five runs. For Samsung, the key tasks in the Korean Series are clear: manufacture runs against Ko and So while keeping KT's middle-of-the-order bats — led by Hilliard — from doing damage. Solving those problems is essential if the Lions are to avenge their four-game losing streak to close the regular season. Rest could also prove a decisive factor. KT wrapped up its regular season on Oct. 12 and has had roughly three weeks to prepare for the Korean Series, giving the club ample time to set its rotation, shore up the bullpen and restore players' physical condition. Samsung, by contrast, played through Game 5 of the playoff against KIA Tigers on Sunday and has just one day of rest before the Korean Series begins. Starter Huraldo turned in a strong outing in that clincher, allowing just one run over seven innings, with Won Tae-in called in to close out a 6-1 victory in the ninth. Having taxed the pitching staff through the playoff series, Samsung faces real pressure managing the mound in the early stages of the Korean Series. How manager Park Jin-man deploys Won Tae-in — used as both a starter and a reliever — will be particularly closely watched. A long rest does not automatically translate into an advantage, however. While KT enters well-rested, the club must guard against rustiness from the extended break. Samsung, despite the physical toll of a grueling playoff run, arrives with its competitive edge intact. Both clubs will reveal their Game 1 starters at the Korean Series media day Monday at 2 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Suwon. Which starter KT manager Lee Kang-chul and Samsung manager Park Jin-man choose to send to the mound will be one of the first points of intrigue in the series.

Nov. 2, 2026

Kim Ju-hyung overcomes wrong-ball penalty to finish T6 at Mexico Open

Finishes at 18 under par after gaining 11 strokes over final two rounds; Andrew Novak wins at 25 under Kim Ju-hyung overcame a wrong-ball penalty to secure his fifth top-10 finish of the season at the PGA Tour's Mexico Open. Kim carded a 5-under-par 66 in the final round of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta (par 71) in Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico, on Monday (Korean Standard Time), posting six birdies against one bogey. The tournament carried a purse of $6 million. Kim finished at 18 under par (266) to share sixth place with Brian Campbell, Doug Kim and Pearson Coody of the United States and Erik van Rooyen of South Africa. It was Kim's first top-10 result in roughly three months, since a tied-fifth finish at the Wyndham Championship in August. The trouble began in the second round, when Kim and playing partner Campbell accidentally swapped balls on the ninth hole (par 4). Both balls had come to rest in bunkers near the same green, and each player mistakenly played the other's ball. Once the error was discovered, both players returned to their original balls and replayed the shots, but each received a two-stroke penalty and made double bogey. The incident dropped Kim as far back as a tie for 26th. Kim rallied by shooting 6 under in the third round and 5 under in the final round to climb back up the leaderboard. It was also notable that Kim and Campbell — who received their penalties together — ultimately finished in a tie with each other. Kim picked up birdies on the third hole (par 5) and sixth hole (par 5) on Monday. A bogey on the seventh (par 3) was quickly erased with a birdie on the eighth (par 5). Kim then played the back nine bogey-free, making birdies on the 10th (par 4), 12th (par 5) and 14th (par 4) to close out the round. The tournament was Kim's first PGA Tour start since winning a gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Kim had already secured a PGA Tour card through the 2028 season with a victory at the Genesis Scotland Open in July. Andrew Novak of the United States won at 25 under par (259), pulling away from the field by five strokes. Steven Fisk of the United States and Kristoffer Ventura of Norway shared second place at 20 under (264). Novak had previously won the Zurich Classic alongside Ben Griffin last year — a team event — making this his second PGA Tour victory overall and his first in an individual stroke-play event. The winner's share was $1.08 million. Griffin and Mackenzie Hughes of Canada finished tied for fourth at 19 under (265).

Nov. 2, 2026

'Stun Gun' Kim Dong-hyun to compete at HYROX Seoul fitness race

Former UFC fighter and broadcaster Kim Dong-hyun, known by the nickname "Stun Gun," will compete in a fitness racing event. HYROX Korea announced Monday that Kim will take part in the AirAsia HYROX Seoul, to be held Nov. 13-15 at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. About 19,000 athletes from 65 countries are expected to compete — more than 3,000 more than at the Incheon event in May, making it the largest HYROX competition ever held in South Korea. Hong Beom-seok, known from the Netflix reality program "Physical: 100," will also compete in three categories. HYROX is a fitness race that alternates between 1-kilometer runs and functional workout stations. Competitors must complete eight exercise challenges — including sled pushes and pulls, rowing, and sandbag lunges — while covering a total of 8 kilometers. Participants range in age from 16 to 75, and 25 athletes will compete in an adaptive category for athletes with disabilities. The pro, mixed doubles, and 60-and-over open divisions will also serve as qualifiers for the HYROX World Championships, set to be held in Hong Kong in 2027.

Nov. 2, 2026

Callaway Apparel unveils lightweight padded jackets for fall, winter golf

Callaway Apparel announced Monday it is launching a lineup of lightweight padded jackets designed for fall and winter golf rounds. Built around the theme "lightness for play," the products were developed with an emphasis on a light feel, warmth and freedom of movement. The designs aim to work both on the course and in everyday settings during cooler weather. The lineup includes padded jackets and vests for men and women, as well as hybrid pieces that combine knit and woven materials. Design variations range from lightweight down jackets made with a welding technique to knit-woven hybrid styles and voluminous vests. "Lightweight padded jackets are a practical item that keeps you comfortable and warm even in chilly weather," a Callaway Apparel official said. "We designed them with both functionality and style in mind so they can be worn on the course and in daily life."

Nov. 2, 2026

Moicano loses dominant position — and the fight — after controversial standing restart

Loses advantageous position, falls by TKO; Cormier criticizes call Moicano says he received no prior warning from referee Renato Moicano had his opponent's back locked down with a body triangle — and then the referee stood them up. Stripped of a dominant ground position, Moicano (37, Brazil) went on to lose by TKO in a stunning reversal. The unusual standing restart has sparked widespread controversy in the UFC. Moicano lost to Tom Nolan (26, Australia) by TKO at 1 minute 28 seconds of the third round in the lightweight main event of UFC Fight Night at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunday (Korean Standard Time). Moicano controlled the early action. From the first round, Moicano secured a takedown, moved to Nolan's back and hunted for a rear-naked choke. When Nolan stood up, Moicano clung to his back and kept attacking before dragging the fight back to the ground. The pivotal moment came in the second round. Moicano took Nolan down again, secured back control and locked in a body triangle — wrapping both legs around the opponent's torso to restrict movement and set up submission attempts. It was a highly advantageous position. From there, Moicano threw punches, controlled Nolan's hands and looked for a choke opportunity. Yet referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in and ordered both fighters to their feet. Moicano had held back control for roughly two and a half minutes at that point. The momentum shifted immediately after the restart. Nolan dropped Moicano in the striking exchange and swarmed with heavy shots. Moicano survived the second round and scored a takedown in the third, but Nolan reversed position and rained down punches and elbows from the top. The referee stopped the contest. With the fight ending in a reversal, the referee's standing restart drew immediate scrutiny from the broadcast team. Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier criticized the call as a referee error, emphasizing how difficult it is to secure an opponent's back and saying a fighter should not be stripped of such an advantageous position. Commentator Laura Sanko also said Moicano had been actively grappling — controlling Nolan's hands and setting up a choke — at the time of the stoppage. Moicano expressed frustration in a post-fight interview with MMA Fighting. "I was surprised when the referee told us to stand up. I don't remember receiving any warning that he would stand us up if there wasn't enough activity," Moicano said. "I've never seen a fighter stood up from mount or from back control before," Moicano added. Moicano acknowledged that the referee's intervention broke his concentration, but said he would not file a formal complaint or seek disciplinary action. Moicano said Nolan's defense was strong and that the responsibility for not finishing the fight ultimately rested with himself. Nolan, for his part, denied asking for the restart. Nolan said he had only informed the referee that Moicano was landing strikes to the back of his head. Nolan also said the outcome would have been the same regardless of the referee's intervention, pointing to the third-round reversal that ended the fight as proof. The victory extended Nolan's winning streak to six, improving his record to 12 wins and one loss. Moicano fell to 21 wins, eight losses and one draw.

Nov. 2, 2026

Crown Haitai survive reverse-sweep scare to lead Round 4

Crown Haitai defeat NH NongHyup Card in full-set thriller at PBA Team League Crown Haitai scraped through a nerve-wracking victory to take the lead in Round 4 of the PBA Team League. On the second day of the Welcome Savings Bank PBA Team League 2026-2027 Round 4 at Kintex PBA Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on Sunday, Crown Haitai defeated NH NongHyup Card in a full-set contest. The win extended Crown Haitai's winning streak to three — including the final match of Round 3 — giving the team 5 points (two wins) and sole possession of first place. Crown Haitai controlled the early going. In the first set, David Martinez (Spain) and Kim Im-kwon defeated the "Vietnam duo" of Ma Minh Cam and Dao Van Ly 11-7 in eight innings to seize the initiative. In the second set, Im Jeong-suk and Baek Min-ju achieved a Perfect Cue — scoring all points in a single inning — against Kim Bo-mi and Kim Min-a, pushing the set score to 2-0. Martinez then completed a dominant 15-5 win over Jo Jae-ho in eight innings in the third set, leaving Crown Haitai just one set from victory. NH NongHyup Card hit back hard, however. Jo Jae-ho and Kim Bo-mi dismantled No Byeong-chan and Baek Min-ju 9-2 in eight innings in the fourth set. Oh Tae-jun then beat Kim Jae-geun 11-7 in 13 innings in the fifth, and Jeong Su-bin edged Im Jeong-suk 9-7 in 11 innings in the sixth, forcing a decisive seventh set. Kim Im-kwon delivered for Crown Haitai in the seventh set, opening with a seven-point high run from the first inning against Dao Van Ly. Dao went scoreless across four consecutive innings, and Kim added one point in the fourth inning before converting the final point in the fifth to close out an 11-0 win in five innings. Having finished second in both Round 2 and Round 3 and missed out on the trophy each time, Crown Haitai are targeting both the championship and a postseason berth in Round 4. Their Day 3 opponent will be Woori Financial Capital, which also enters on a winning streak after beating the Breakers 4-2 in sets on Sunday. The two sides are level on 5 points with a set ratio of 1.600, but Crown Haitai hold first place on the superior score ratio of 1.211 against Woori Financial Capital's 1.187. Harim claimed their first win of Round 4 by defeating Hana Card 4-1 in sets. Hi1 Resort and Welcome Savings Bank also recorded their first Round 4 victories, each winning full-set matches against SY and Huons, respectively.

Nov. 2, 2026

Park Si-won beats 9-fight winner to enter lightweight title picture

Unanimous decision over Soloviev boosts Park's standing Former champion eyes rematch with Magomedov Park Si-won, the former Road FC lightweight champion, has entered the conversation for South Korea's top lightweight title by defeating Russian contender Artur Soloviev, who had been riding a nine-fight winning streak. Park stopped Soloviev by unanimous decision (3-0) in the 72-kilogram catchweight main event of Road FC 079 at Jangchung Arena in Seoul on Sunday, improving his career record to 12 wins and 2 losses. The victory carries weight well beyond a single win. Soloviev won the Road FC Global Lightweight Tournament in 2023 and had gone 9-0 since before facing Park. By controlling the fight against the surging Russian, Park demonstrated the ability to compete at an international level among South Korea's elite lightweights. The domestic MMA rankings site "Mma" jumped Park from outside the top five to No. 2 following the win. The No. 1 spot belongs to Ok Rae-yoon, the former ONE Championship lightweight champion. While the rankings carry no official sanction, the result makes clear that Park has emerged as a central figure in the race for South Korea's lightweight crown. The matchup had roots in a three-year-old rivalry: when Soloviev won the Road FC Global Tournament in 2023, Park publicly taunted him, calling the title a "house robbery." Park used a 186-centimeter frame to dictate range with the jab from the opening round, landing knee strikes in the clinch as Soloviev pressed forward. Soloviev pushed back with heavy punches but could not effectively neutralize Park's attack. Park's punches and knee kicks continued to find their mark in the second round. In the third and final round, both fighters exchanged takedowns, but Park maintained the striking edge throughout and closed out the unanimous decision without difficulty. Japanese MMA outlet MMA Planet also covered the bout in detail, noting that Park used middle kicks and knee strikes to halt Soloviev's advances and responded effectively in clinch and grappling exchanges. Park is now setting sights on Road FC lightweight champion Kamil Magomedov, the Russian who handed Park the most recent defeat. Park lost by decision at Road FC 077 on May 30 while dealing with the effects of elbow cellulitis that hampered conditioning. Magomedov carries a record of 21 wins and 4 losses with a six-fight winning streak, making him a tougher proposition than Soloviev, who had been inactive for nearly two years heading into Sunday's bout. After the win, Park expressed a desire to face Magomedov again for the lightweight title. Should that fight materialize, observers expect Park's prospects for a move to a major overseas promotion to come into sharper focus depending on the outcome.

Nov. 2, 2026

Volvik launches 2027 Year of the Red Sheep edition golf balls

Axia-based design features 360-degree sheep motif and alignment band Golf equipment brand Volvik announced Monday that it has released a New Year's edition golf ball and park golf ball to mark the 2027 Year of the Red Sheep. Volvik releases a limited-edition golf ball each year featuring the zodiac animal of the coming year. This year's design incorporates red and gold accents to complement the sheep, a symbol of gentleness and abundance. The New Year's edition golf ball is built on Volvik's Axia model. A sheep motif wraps around the entire surface of the ball, and the red and gold band serves not only as decoration but also as an alignment guide for putting. Volvik says the ball features a soft dual core and a stain-resistant coating cover to improve feel and durability. The product comes in packages of 12, six and four balls. The six- and four-ball sets include a ball marker bearing the red sheep design. A park golf ball with the same design is also available. "We prepared this edition so that customers can achieve great results on the course in the new year and share their gratitude with the people who matter most to them," a Volvik official said.

Nov. 2, 2026

Lee Jung-young hands rival a storybook farewell, falls to third straight UFC loss

Lee knocked down Erosa before suffering KO reversal Cormier calls it 'a fairytale ending' Lee now faces real threat of UFC roster cut "Korean Tiger" Lee Jung-young, fighting for his own UFC survival, ended up handing his opponent the most dramatic of farewell victories. Lee was knocked out in the first round after squandering an early knockdown, falling to a third consecutive UFC defeat and putting his place on the roster in serious doubt. Lee lost to Julian Erosa (37, United States) by KO at 1 minute 31 seconds of the first round at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan, held Sunday (Korean Standard Time) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lee dominated the opening exchanges. Moments after the glove touch, Lee dropped Erosa with a left hook and swarmed with follow-up strikes, coming close to finishing the fight before Erosa could recover. Erosa, however, weathered the storm. After surviving the early onslaught, Erosa quickly turned the tide. A left jab set up a powerful straight right that landed flush on Lee's chin, sending Lee crashing to the mat. Erosa followed with ground strikes until the referee stopped the contest. In just 91 seconds, the fortunes of both fighters had completely reversed. Erosa secured a dramatic comeback win in what was his retirement bout, while Lee — desperate to snap a losing streak — was left with another defeat. Erosa's final performance drew wide praise overseas. Former two-division UFC champion and broadcast commentator Daniel Cormier called it "a fairytale ending" immediately after the fight. Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad also took to social media to express admiration for the comeback. MMA Fighting, a US combat sports outlet, also described Erosa's finish as a fairytale ending. MMA Mania noted that Lee had appeared on the verge of ruining Erosa's retirement party early on, but the veteran overcame the crisis to claim a memorable final victory. Erosa, who also earned a $100,000 performance bonus that night, had made clear before the fight that retirement was the plan regardless of the result. The birth of his son had shifted his priorities, and Erosa had resolved to step away while still healthy to build a future with his family. A knockout win in the final bout made for an even more dramatic send-off. For Lee, the reality could not have been more different. The Road to UFC Season 1 featherweight champion earned the first win of his UFC main roster career in February 2024, defeating Blake Bilder by decision. Lee then suffered a TKO loss to Hayder Hassan that July, followed by a decision loss to Daniel Santos last May. The defeat to Erosa extended the losing streak to three. Lee's UFC main roster record now stands at 1 win and 3 losses, with an overall MMA record of 11 wins and 4 losses. Particularly striking is the trajectory: Lee had lost only once before reaching the UFC but has now dropped three straight bouts, halting what had been a sharp upward rise. The prospect of a roster cut has become a real concern. US sports information outlet Rotowire assessed after the Erosa loss that Lee's place on the UFC roster could be in jeopardy. Even before the fight, while Lee was on a two-fight losing skid, Rotowire had warned that another defeat could put Lee at risk of being released.

Nov. 2, 2026

Bae Yong-jun wins Lexus Masters in second playoff hole for third career title

First stroke-play title for Bae Jang Yu-bin moves up to second in Player of the Year standings Bae Yong-jun claimed the KPGA Tour Lexus Masters title on Sunday, winning a two-hole playoff to take the 1 billion won ($749,000) event. Bae carded an even-par 71 in the final round at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course in Incheon, making two birdies and two bogeys. A total score of 12-under-par 272 left Bae tied with Jang Yu-bin and Jeong Jae-hyeon, forcing a playoff. All three players made birdie on the par-5 18th hole in the first playoff hole, leaving the outcome unresolved. On the same hole in the second playoff hole, Bae stuck a third shot right next to the cup and converted the birdie. Jang and Jeong both missed their birdie putts and settled for par. The victory was Bae's third on tour, following wins at the 2022 Honors K·Solago CC Han Jang-sang Invitational and the 2025 KPGA Classic. Both previous titles came in modified Stableford-format events, making this Bae's first stroke-play victory. The winner's share was 200 million won. Bae had entered the final round as the solo leader by four strokes but could not extend that advantage, allowing the field to close in. Jang, who began the day five shots back, fired a 5-under-par 66 — with an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys — to draw level. Jang briefly held a two-shot solo lead but dropped bogeys on the 14th and 16th holes — both par-4s — to let the title slip away. Jeong, who had played bogey-free with five birdies, missed a 2.7-meter birdie putt on the 18th and could not avoid the playoff. Despite finishing runner-up, Jang climbed from third to second in the Genesis Player of the Year points standings and retained the top spot on the season money list. Shin Sang-hun, who finished at even-par 284 in a tie for 35th after shooting 2-under on Sunday, held on to the Player of the Year points lead. After the Lexus Masters, Shin leads the Player of the Year standings with 5,339.01 points, followed by Jang at 5,136.75 and Jeong Chan-min at 5,064.77. The gap between Shin and Jang is just 202.26 points. The season's major individual titles — including Player of the Year and leading money winner — will be decided at the season-ending KPGA Tour Championship, a 1.1 billion won event that opens Thursday at Teddy Valley Golf and Resort in Jeju.

Nov. 1, 2026

Lee Ye-won wins S-OIL Championship amid strong winds for 11th career title

3-stroke victory with 1-under final round; second win of season Kim Min-sol breaks 1.6 billion won single-season earnings record in KLPGA history Lee Ye-won delivered a composed performance amid fierce winds Sunday to claim her second KLPGA Tour victory of the season and 11th of her career. Playing the final round of the 20th S-OIL Championship — a 1 billion won ($749,000) purse event at Elysian Jeju Country Club (par 72) in Jeju — Lee carded two birdies and one bogey for a 1-under-par 71. Her total score of 12-under 276 was three strokes clear of runner-up Moon Jeong-min (9-under 279), earning Lee the winner's check of 180 million won. Entering the final round one stroke behind third-round leader Lee Ji-hyeon, Lee trimmed her score despite the blustery conditions. Lee drained a 5.3-meter birdie putt on the par-4 second hole, then stuck her approach to within a meter on the par-4 eighth to make another birdie. A bogey on the par-3 12th was her only blemish of the day, but Lee parred every remaining hole to hold the lead. Lee had claimed her first win of the season at the second Duksin EPC Championship in April, and Sunday's victory marked a return to the top roughly seven months later. Season earnings rose to 934.06 million won, lifting Lee from fifth to fourth on the money list. The strong winds made scoring extremely difficult: of the 68 players in the field, only four — including Lee — finished under par for the round. Lee Ji-hyeon, who had held the outright lead through three rounds, stumbled to a 6-over 78 and dropped into a tie for third. Meanwhile, Kim Min-sol carded a 3-over 75 Sunday to finish at 3-under 285, tying for 12th. The 11.74 million won earned pushed Kim's season total to 1.6 billion won, making her the first player in KLPGA Tour history to surpass 1.6 billion won in a single season. The gap between money-list leader Kim and second-place Seo Gyo-rim (1.41 billion won) stands at 188.6 million won. The money title race will be decided at the season-ending Daebo House-D Championship, which carries a 1.2 billion won purse and a 300 million won first prize and opens Friday. The most-wins title and player-of-the-year award will also be settled at the finale. The tournament also marked the final opportunity for players to secure a full-tour card for the 2027 season. Only players ranked in the top 60 on the money list are eligible for the season finale, making this event the last chance to lock up a card. Kim Ji-yun secured a card for next season by holding 60th place on the money list with 171.13 million won in seasonal earnings. Lee Jae-yun, however, finished 61st with 167.77 million won and will have to compete in a qualifying event for a chance to return to the full tour.

Nov. 1, 2026

Samsung punch through playoff battle to reach Korean Series; kt to don King Jeongjo uniforms

Furado's gem, Kim Ji-chan's bat silence KIA; KS Game 1 set for Suwon on Tuesday kt, hosting first home KS, to wear special uniforms throughout series in bid for integrated title The Samsung Lions will carry their playoff momentum into a bid for the Korean Series title for the first time in two years. After a grueling five-game playoff against the KIA Tigers capped by a dominant outing from Ariel Furado, Samsung will open the Korean Series against regular-season champion kt wiz on Tuesday at kt's home ground in Suwon. kt, hosting a Korean Series at their home stadium for the first time, will wear their King Jeongjo-themed uniforms — a symbol of Suwon — throughout the series. Samsung defeated KIA 6-1 in the decisive Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff on Sunday at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu. With a 3-2 series victory, Samsung advance to face kt for the championship. Furado was the driving force behind Samsung's Korean Series berth. Starting Game 5, Furado held KIA's lineup to five hits, two walks and one unearned run over seven innings, striking out three. Furado had also led Samsung to victory in the pivotal Game 2, allowing two runs over 6⅔ innings. The performance earned Furado the playoff MVP award, collecting 47 of 79 votes from the media panel. Samsung seized control early. Choi Hyung-woo's RBI single in the first inning opened the scoring, and the Lions extended their lead to 4-0 in the second on a two-RBI single by Kim Ji-chan and an additional RBI hit by Park Seung-gyu. Kim finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored, while Park contributed two RBIs. KIA cut the deficit to 4-1 in the third inning and threatened again in the top of the sixth with one out and runners on first and second, but Furado struck out Kim Seon-bin and Han Jun-su on consecutive pitches to end the threat. Samsung responded immediately in the bottom of the sixth, with Kim Ji-chan's triple and Park Seung-gyu's RBI single adding two more runs to put the game out of reach. Samsung have now reached the playoff for three consecutive years. The Lions advanced to the Korean Series in 2024 but were eliminated by the Hanwha Eagles last year. Back on the championship stage this season, Samsung will need Furado — who earned two playoff wins as a starter — and Kim Ji-chan, who led the offense in the clincher, to sustain that form into the Korean Series. Regular-season champion kt had secured a bye to the Korean Series and waited for their opponent. kt manager Lee Kang-chul said through the club on Sunday that Samsung were "a formidable team that showed stable pitching and hitting throughout the season," adding, "We will play our brand of baseball." Lee said kt had used internal training sessions and practice games ahead of the Korean Series to address weaknesses and sharpen the team's condition. "We will take pride in finishing first in the regular season and deliver the joy of an integrated championship to our fans," Lee said. kt plan to wear their King Jeongjo uniforms for every game of the Korean Series. The club said the decision was meant "to share the Korean Series in Suwon with the citizens of Suwon" as part of the 2026-2027 Visit Suwon campaign. kt went 20 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in 25 games wearing the uniform this season, a winning percentage of .870, and will look to carry that good fortune into a run at the franchise's second integrated title. This will be the first time kt have hosted a Korean Series in their home city of Suwon. When the club won their first championship in 2021, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the series into mid-November, and all games were played at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Game 1 of the Samsung-kt Korean Series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. Samsung will look to sustain the momentum built during the playoffs, while kt will lean on the steadiness of a regular-season title and the support of their home crowd as both sides chase the opening win.

Nov. 1, 2026