Sung A-jin wins 2nd KLPGA Dream Tour title of season in playoff thriller

Sung A-jin, 19, of Hite Jinro has claimed her second KLPGA Dream Tour title of the season. Sung lifted the trophy at the 17th round of the 2026 KLPGA Dream Tour, held Tuesday at Phoenix Country Club (par 71, 6,363 yards) in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province. The event carried a purse of 70 million won ($52,200) and a winner's prize of 10.5 million won. Sung beat Kim Gyu-bin2 in a six-hole playoff after both finished regulation play tied at 7-under 135. Sung opened with a 2-under 69 in the first round, carding three bogeys and five birdies to sit in a tie for 12th. She then rallied in the second round with a 5-under 66 to climb into a share of the lead. In the sixth playoff hole, the par-4 18th, Kim Gyu-bin2 made a triple bogey while Sung closed with a par to secure her second Dream Tour trophy of the season. Sung, a member of the national team in 2025, won her first event on the KLPGA Jump Tour after joining the tour as an associate member in 2026, then moved up to the Dream Tour. She lifted the winner's trophy again Tuesday, following her victory in the 12th round earlier this season. With the win, Sung now shares the lead for most wins on the Dream Tour with Yoo A-hyun, 19, each having captured two titles this season, setting up a race for the season's multi-win title. “I want to compete not only for the Dream Tour money title but also for the multi-win title,” Sung said. “I also hope to post good results at the upcoming 26th Hite Jinro Championship, a KLPGA Tour major and the tour's title sponsor event.” Elsewhere, Kwon Na-hyun, 20, who shared second place after the first round, finished in a tie for third at 6-under 136 alongside Baek Song, 20, Yoo Da-gyeom, 25, of Segi P&C, and Jung So-yun, 21.

Sept. 9, 2026

Shin Moon-sun: 'Park Hang-seo was easiest target,' entire Chung Mong-gyu leadership must resign

Shin Moon-sun, a visiting professor at Myongji University and a former football commentator, sharply criticized the Korea Football Association's poor administrative system. He cited testimony from Park Hang-seo, the former KFA vice president who accompanied the national team as head of the support delegation during the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America. Shin recently highlighted Park's pointed criticism of the Korea Football Association on his YouTube channel, "Shin Moon-sun's Goal Is." Park had earlier stirred controversy by saying he was thoroughly excluded from any meaningful role on the national team throughout the World Cup, despite various issues surrounding the tournament. After hearing this, Shin explained why Park was chosen to head the delegation, saying, "He was the easiest to use. His personality and his positive public image made him a good fit," and added, "Whenever something went wrong, Park would apologize -- he was used that way." Shin also took aim at the association for dodging responsibility in off-field conflicts, including the so-called "reporter bad-mouthing incident" that occurred at a training ground. He suggested that players, unable to communicate with the coaching staff, would have turned to Park instead. Citing Park's remark that "there were team leaders and department heads, but even they isolated me," Shin said, "Whenever there was a problem, Park -- with his good image -- would apologize. Isn't that exactly how he was used?" Shin also criticized former head coach Hong Myung-bo for denying the conflict during a National Assembly hearing, as well as the silence of major media outlets on the matter. Shin pointed to Hong's response that he "never instructed any player to redo an interview, and while there were differing opinions within the squad over the interview issue, it never escalated to the level of conflict being described now." He then cited an online comment asking, "How can there be chaos like this without a single article being written about it?" Shin's criticism also extended to former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu. He pointed out that Chung failed to keep his past pledge to contribute 5 billion won ($3.73 million), and criticized Chung's irresponsible conduct upon returning from the World Cup. He then said, "He started the fire himself with his apology statement, then tried to pass the phrase 'I will engage in painstaking self-reflection' onto someone else." Finally, Shin urged a complete overhaul of the association's personnel. He said the KFA's operational structure was flawed, noting that even a neighborhood early-morning soccer club divides roles among its members when traveling for an away match. "Shouldn't everyone who was on the same boat with Chung Mong-gyu's leadership resign?" Shin said, adding, "I hope the electoral delegates carefully examine the candidates' policies and character to choose someone honest."

Sept. 9, 2026

TaylorMade launches limited-edition TP5 ball marking Ryu Hae-ran's back-to-back major wins

Golf brand TaylorMade said Wednesday that it has released a limited-edition TP5 golf ball in South Korea to commemorate Team TaylorMade golfer Ryu Hae-ran's back-to-back major victories in the 2026 season. The "2026 Back-to-Back Major Wins Commemorative Ball: Ryu Hae-ran TP5" is a limited edition modeled on the ball design Ryu herself uses. It features the historic major-round score of 60 that Ryu shot this year at the Amundi Evian Championship. A sun-shaped symbol representing "hae," the Korean syllable for sun in her name, is also included, together forming a design unique to Ryu. It is well known that Ryu, who has used TP5 balls for eight years, marks her personal best scores on the balls she plays with. After carding a 10-under 62 in 2024, she changed the number on her ball from 63 to 62 and added a sun-shaped side stamp symbolizing hae in her name, creating her own distinctive TP5 design. "This product was prepared for golfers who want to own a piece of a moment that marked a milestone in golf history," a TaylorMade representative said. "We hope it gives everyone, regardless of their preferred brand, a chance to celebrate together the fact that this remarkable feat in golf history was achieved by South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran."

Sept. 9, 2026

Volvik launches Exia Prism ball with 360-degree prism line

South Korean golf brand Volvik said Wednesday that it has launched the Exia Prism, a new golf ball designed to enhance spin control and putting alignment. The Exia Prism's key feature is a holographic prism line that wraps 360 degrees around the ball's surface. This allows golfers to see the line without interruption from any angle, including the front and sides. This is meant to help golfers aim more precisely and consistently when putting. True to its name, the ball produces a prism effect, shimmering in rainbow colors depending on the angle of light. Volvik said this feature was designed with both visual alignment and overall design quality in mind. According to the brand, the ball's core uses Volvik's S.H. (Stable Hardness) dual-core technology. This channels impact energy deep into the core, helping golfers with slower swing speeds achieve stable distance. The ball also features a soft cover with a hardness rating of 58D, delivering a soft yet firm feel at the moment of impact. The cover is finished with an F.N.C. glossy coating that resists stains and scratches, keeping the ball's surface and markings sharp even after extended use. "As the Exia Prism enhances the visual convenience of putting alignment through its 360-degree holographic prism line, it will be a great choice for golfers looking to improve their putting performance," a Volvik official said.

Sept. 9, 2026

Culture ministry to raise youth sports budget over 50%

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has increased its budget for children's and teenagers' sports activities by more than 50 percent as it moves to strengthen support for youth athletics. The ministry said Wednesday that its 2027 budget proposal for youth sports support programs was set at 183.9 billion won ($137 million), up 64.1 billion won, or 53.5 percent, from this year's 119.8 billion won. In particular, the budget for general youth sports programs -- excluding those for underprivileged and disabled groups -- rose nearly fourfold, or 318.6 percent, from a year earlier. "Childhood and adolescence are key life stages for forming lifelong exercise habits, but the physical activity levels of South Korean children and teenagers fall significantly short of other age groups and recommended standards, so it was necessary to expand support for sports participation to lay the groundwork for healthy growth," the ministry said. Under the 2027 budget proposal, the ministry plans to significantly expand support for general youth sports activities, including early childhood and sport-specific programs. It will also identify a wider range of underprivileged groups to provide sports activity vouchers, and expand support for sports activities among youth with disabilities through programs and vouchers.

Sept. 9, 2026

Jozeene Silva's 'dog bark' was never a threat

'Memories of the dog that became my friend growing up' Faces Delgado at UFC Fight Night UFC featherweight rising star Jozeene Silva, 29, of Brazil, is known for a peculiar ritual inside the cage: a "dog bark" performance. Just before the bell, he crouches down, stares at his opponent and lets out a "woof" so convincing that fans could mistake it for the real thing. Fans have long enjoyed the antics without quite understanding why he does it, dismissing it as either an attempt to intimidate opponents like a rabid dog or simply an exaggerated bit of eccentricity befitting his "Fighting Nerds" team. Silva has now revealed the story behind his signature bark. In a recent interview with the combat sports outlet Spinning Backfist, he said the habit traces back to his school days, when he bonded with a Rottweiler that became his only real friend. "I did not have many friends in school, but my brother had a Rottweiler. That dog became a really good friend," he said. "Who has not barked back at a dog at least once? It just became a habit over time. The barking is a pretty instinctive thing for me." Silva, who holds a 17-3 record and has gone 6-1 in the UFC since arriving through Dana White's Contender Series, is considered a strong contender for a future title shot. With 15 finishes, including 12 by knockout, his aggressive style has pleased both the promotion and fans alike. He will bark once more in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). The bout against the surging Jose Delgado marks the biggest stage of his career, and a win could move him a step closer to a title shot.

Sept. 9, 2026

Cash-strapped LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection in US court, plans downsized restructuring

League seeks new investors, scales back to survive Fate of stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau unclear LIV Golf, facing a potential shutdown after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund cut off its financial support, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court. Bloomberg, Reuters, AP and AFP reported on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time) that LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The filing was made in a New Jersey court. Chapter 11 allows a company to continue operating while restructuring its debts and pursuing recovery. LIV Golf carries debt exceeding $500 million. The filing had been expected since PIF abruptly halted funding following the conclusion of the 2026 season's final event. LIV Golf said it has agreed to a restructuring plan under which private equity fund BC Partners would serve as its main source of funding. LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said in a statement posted on the league's official website and in a press release that "this process will provide the framework and time necessary to pursue a significant transaction and begin a new chapter for LIV Golf." Even if LIV Golf secures new investors and continues to operate, the league is expected to look dramatically smaller than it did at its launch in June 2022. When it started, LIV Golf paid large signing bonuses to lure top PGA Tour players and poured vast sums into the venture. Before PIF announced in April that it would halt funding, the total amount invested had surpassed $5 billion — 10 times the size of the league's current debt. The fate of the marquee players still with LIV Golf remains undecided. Attention is particularly focused on the next moves of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. In its court filing, LIV Golf reported estimated assets of $100 million to $500 million and liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion.

Sept. 9, 2026

LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection amid financial woes

LIV Golf failed to overcome its financial crisis and entered bankruptcy protection proceedings under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. According to major foreign media outlets including Golfweek on Wednesday, LIV Golf recently formally filed for bankruptcy protection in a US federal bankruptcy court. It also submitted a reorganization plan centered on restructuring its debt. The "golf money game" had threatened the dominance of the PGA Tour since its 2022 launch, backed by trillions of won in spending. It has now collapsed into court receivership after just over four years. The immediate trigger for the collapse was the suspension of funding by its biggest backer and founding entity, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Since the league's launch, PIF had poured an astronomical $4 billion to $6 billion into recruiting top-tier golfers. But poor broadcast rights sales and failure to secure sponsors left it with massive accumulated losses. Once the Saudi government realigned its economic strategy and stopped covering the losses, LIV Golf's finances rapidly deteriorated. The financial troubles led to disrupted schedules and legal disputes. The season-ending Team Championship was canceled, or prize money was reduced and withheld. Multiple partner companies — including app developers and media production firms — filed a wave of lawsuits over millions of dollars in unpaid service fees. The Chapter 11 process LIV Golf chose is not corporate liquidation but a court-supervised debt restructuring and business normalization procedure. Immediately upon filing, all enforcement actions against the debtor's assets — including seizures, provisional attachments, debt collection and lawsuits by outside contractors over unpaid service fees — are automatically frozen. LIV Golf will also borrow emergency operating funds, known as a bridge loan, to keep the league running at a minimal level. It will ask the court to approve priority repayment status for that loan. In addition, LIV Golf can use Section 365 of the federal bankruptcy code to terminate existing unfavorable contracts. This move gives LIV Golf a key tool to wipe out remaining contract payments worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Those payments are owed to marquee players such as Jon Rahm of Spain and Bryson DeChambeau of the United States, and would be converted into "general unsecured claims." LIV Golf has offered players a lowball repayment plan worth just a few cents on the dollar for unpaid amounts. It has also proposed a "player-shareholder-centered model (LIV 2.0)" that would distribute equity in the newly formed entity instead of cash. At the same time, the league has already cut more than 90 percent of its headquarters staff and slimmed down operations, including reducing the number of tournaments to around 10. Going forward, the court will form an official committee of unsecured creditors (UCC) to vote on the reorganization plan. Even without the consent of creditors, including the players, the court can force approval of the reorganization plan on its own authority. However, if the plan is ultimately rejected or the league fails to secure new investment, the case will convert to a liquidation procedure involving the forced sale of assets.

Sept. 9, 2026

KIA's Kim Do-young hits 40th home run, first domestic player in 8 years

Extends lead over Austin Dean to four home runs KIA Tigers infielder Kim Do-young, 22, has finally reached the 40-home run mark, becoming the first domestic player to do so in eight years. Kim hit a solo home run in the sixth inning while trailing 1-4 in a road game against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on Tuesday, part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League season. He drove a first-pitch fastball from Samsung's second pitcher, Satoshi Miyamori, for his 40th home run of the season. Kim, who leads the league in home runs, extended his lead over second-place Austin Dean of the LG Twins, who has 36, to four home runs with the latest blast. This marks the first time Kim has hit 40 home runs in a single season. He fell short of the KBO League record for youngest player to reach 40 home runs, held by Lee Seung-yeop, now a coach with the Yomiuri Giants. But he set a string of other records. Kim became only the second player in KIA franchise history to reach 40 home runs, after Tracy Sanders hit 40 in 1999. He is the first domestic player to do so for the club. League-wide, he is the first domestic player to hit 40 home runs in eight years. Kim Jae-hwan of the Doosan Bears (44), Park Byung-ho of the Nexen Heroes (42) and Han Yu-som of the SK Wyverns (41) all reached the mark in 2018.

Sept. 8, 2026

Busan striker suspended 60 days after drunk driving arrest

Christian (26; full name Cristian Renato) is the marquee striker for K League 2 club Busan I'Park. He has been barred from the pitch for 60 days after being caught driving under the influence. The Korea Professional Football League said Tuesday it had imposed a 60-day activity suspension on Busan's Christian, barring him from official K League matches, after police caught him driving drunk. The measure is a temporary step ahead of formal disciplinary proceedings. The league has halted Christian's participation in matches for now and plans to convene its disciplinary committee later to decide the exact punishment. An "activity suspension" temporarily bars a person from all K League-related activities for 60 days, extendable up to 90. The league uses it when conduct causes public controversy or damages the value of the K League and the disciplinary committee cannot deliberate the case quickly. Busan had earlier said via its SNS account that afternoon, "We have confirmed that Christian was caught driving under the influence on Monday. As soon as we became aware of this, we convened an emergency player management committee, excluded Christian from training and team activities, and reported the matter to the league." The club added, "Based on the confirmed facts and the results of the investigation, we will take strict follow-up measures in accordance with the relevant regulations. We will review and strengthen our player management and education systems to do our utmost to prevent a recurrence." Christian's drunk driving controversy is a painful blow for Busan. The Brazilian-born striker, who joined the club ahead of this season, has scored 8 goals and set up 4 assists in 24 K League 2 matches, leading the team in both goals and combined goal contributions. Busan had been locked in a race for first place since early in the season, fueling hopes of promotion to K League 1. But after holding a share of the lead through July, the club has gone winless in its last eight matches, drawing two and losing six. It has since slipped to sixth place. With Christian, who had led the team's attack, now facing disciplinary proceedings, Busan's promotion push is expected to take an additional hit.

Sept. 8, 2026

Shinhan Donghae Open sets stage for Korea-Japan golf rivalry ahead of Asian Games

National team's Kim Seong-hyun, Moon Do-yeop aim for early advantage Defending champion Kazuki Higa of Japan eyes third title A preview of the Asian Games golf competition is set to unfold ahead of the main event. The 42nd Shinhan Donghae Open, carrying a purse of 1.5 billion won ($1.12 million) and a winner's share of 300 million won, will run from Thursday through Sunday at the Urban and Links courses of Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea (par 72, 7,502 yards) in Songdo, Incheon. Jointly organized by the KPGA Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization, the tournament carries an added edge as a matchup of national pride between South Korea and Japan, drawing extra attention as it comes just ahead of the Asian Games golf competition, which runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. South Korea's national team lineup for the Shinhan Donghae Open includes Kim Seong-hyun, 28, of Shinhan Financial Group, and Moon Do-yeop, 35, of DB Insurance, with Kim Joo-hyung, who is active on the PGA Tour, sitting out. Kim Seong-hyun, who competed on the PGA Tour until early this year and has since played on the KPGA Tour, has played eight domestic events this season and finished in the top 10 five times. His best result of the season came at the Gunsan CC Open in June, where he finished runner-up. Moon Do-yeop, who won the North Gyeongsang Open in May for his sixth career KPGA Tour title, has also expanded his reach by competing on the LIV Golf circuit. He has posted four top-10 finishes on the KPGA Tour this season, the most stable form on the team after Kim. Japan will send professional players to the Asian Games for the first time ever, and one of them is defending Shinhan Donghae Open champion Kazuki Higa, 31, who won last year's edition. Kim Seong-hyun chased Higa, who led the tournament, through the final round and finished sixth. Higa, who has eight career wins on the Japan Golf Tour, also has deep ties to this event, having won the 2022 Shinhan Donghae Open held in Nara, Japan. Should he win again this year, he would become only the second player in the tournament's history to claim three titles. The only other three-time winner is Choi Sang-ho, 71, who won in 1985, 1993 and 1995. "The Shinhan Donghae Open gave me a special and precious memory of winning in Korea, and it means a lot to me," Higa said ahead of the tournament. "I feel honored to return to this stage as the defending champion, and I plan to approach this year's event with the humble mindset of starting over from scratch." Also in the field are Jang Yu-bin, 24, of Shinhan Financial Group, and Jo Woo-young, 25, of Woori Financial Group, who won gold in the men's team event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Sadom Kaewkanjana, 28, of Thailand, won the 67th Kolon Korea Open last year and also earned Rookie of the Year honors. Takashi Ogiso, 29, of Japan, claimed his first career win at the 2024 Hana Bank Invitational. The champion will receive a five-year exemption on the KPGA Tour, a two-year exemption on the Japan Golf Tour and 1,200 Genesis points.

Sept. 8, 2026

Jung Chan-sung's ZFN expels ex-gangster fighter who knocked out civilian

"Korean Zombie" Jung Chan-sung has expelled a fighter with a gangster background from ZFN, the mixed martial arts organization he founded, following a recent assault case involving a civilian. ZFN said via its official channel Monday, "We determined that the recent controversial actions of our fighter during a livestream violated the code-of-conduct clause in the ZFN athlete contract, and effective today, we have terminated the athlete's contract." "ZFN will continue to apply the same standard to our athletes' words and conduct without exception going forward," the organization added. "We hope for the victim's speedy recovery and apologize to our fans for the concern this has caused." Police in western Incheon are investigating the fighter, identified only as A, 36, who caused the controversy. A is accused of using a so-called "guillotine choke" technique to knock out a man in his 20s, identified as B, at an officetel in Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, around 4 a.m. Monday. B reportedly lost consciousness after his head struck the floor hard. A then slapped B's face with his hand and left him there, saying, "Let him sleep it off." After reviewing the footage, police launched an investigation and booked A. Police plan to contact the victim to confirm the exact circumstances, while also investigating whether others who were present at the scene took part in the assault. B is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment, with some parts of his body reportedly showing signs of paralysis. B reportedly went to the officetel after exchanging messages with the YouTuber while watching the livestream. Meanwhile, A was previously affiliated with a criminal organization that police had kept under watch, but he is reportedly no longer subject to such monitoring.

Sept. 8, 2026

Woori Financial Capital wraps up in-house billiards championship

Billiards can strengthen a company's teamwork. Woori Financial Capital, which runs a professional billiards team, has successfully wrapped up its in-house billiards tournament, the third Woori WON WiBeeS Employee Championship. Now in its third year, the tournament was launched to encourage natural interaction among employees at Woori Financial Capital's headquarters and its branches nationwide, with the aim of strengthening organizational unity. Preliminary rounds began in August, drawing participants from the headquarters and branches across the country. The final featured members of Woori Financial Capital's professional billiards team, Woori WON WiBeeS, including team captain Eom Sang-pil, Lee Sang-dae, Kang Min-koo, Sroeng Pheavy of Cambodia, Kim Min-young, Jang Ga-yeon and Kim Ji-yeon 3. They also took the opportunity to interact directly with employees. The division that won this year's tournament received a prize of 4 million won ($2,980), and its players also received three days of paid leave. The runner-up division received a prize of 3 million won. Woori Financial Capital CEO Ki Dong-ho said in his congratulatory remarks, "The beautiful sportsmanship of respecting and encouraging one another through billiards has once again shown the strength and unity that Woori Financial Capital's organization possesses."

Sept. 8, 2026

Centum Golf launches golf package featuring 'Odyssey' filming sites

Tour includes Greece's top-ranked Navarino Dunes course Centum Golf announced Tuesday the launch of "Golf Odyssey," a package tour to filming locations of the Hollywood blockbuster "Odyssey," which drew more than 10 million moviegoers in South Korea. The package also includes rounds at four of Greece's top coastal courses. The nine-day, seven-night itinerary includes sightseeing around Voidokilia Beach and the port town of Pylos on the southern Peloponnese peninsula, where the film was actually shot. It also features rounds at four courses in the Costa Navarino area, widely regarded as home to Greece's best golf courses, the company said. The package will run during two periods when the weather turns cool in South Korea — this November and December, and next March and April. Costa Navarino was ranked the top resort in Britain's Golf World "Continental Europe's Top 100 Resorts 2022" list. Among the courses included in the package, Navarino Dunes, which opened in 2010, is ranked the No. 1 course in Greece by Top100GolfCourses.com. The Bay Course, which opened in 2011, ranks second in the country. Two more courses, the Hills Course and the Olympic Academy Course, comprising 36 holes, opened in 2022. This allows travelers to play all four distinct courses without much travel in between, the company said. According to the company, the tour also includes guided tours led by travel experts to Santorini, a Mediterranean coastal village. It also covers the roads of the Acropolis in Athens, where Socrates once walked, and the Parthenon, which Plato and Aristotle passed by. These are in addition to the "Odyssey" filming locations. "Attention toward the film has been rising recently, drawing large numbers of travelers to the region as well," a Centum Golf representative said. "This is a good opportunity to comfortably tour Greek historical sites and the film's filming locations while staying at a golf resort and enjoying rounds of golf."

Sept. 8, 2026

TFC 24 sets heavyweight clash: 'Grim Reaper' Kim Nam-shin vs. 'Baekdusan' Lee Ho-jun

Kim's boxing or Lee's brawling? Stamina, a weak point for both, may decide the bout The mixed martial arts promotion TFC has finalized a heavyweight matchup between "Grim Reaper" Kim Nam-shin and "Baekdusan" Lee Ho-jun. The organizer announced Tuesday that the bout will serve as the second main-card fight at TFC 24, set for Oct. 23 at the event hall on the third floor of the Textile Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The two fighters bring sharply different styles into the cage. Kim is a rare elite boxer-turned-fighter in the heavyweight division, while Lee is a mixed martial artist from Korea Top Team, one of the country's leading MMA gyms. Kim has competed in MMA promotions such as Road FC and DOMVS. However, he suffered a lopsided loss to Heo Jae-hyeok in Road FC, and his defeat to Myeong Hyun-man in DOMVS came under boxing rules. Lee holds a record of 1 win, 3 draws and 5 losses. Counting his three amateur bouts, he brings 12 fights' worth of experience, including matchups against top-tier opponents such as Oh Il-hak and Choi Won-jun. That experience is a big reason Lee is favored heading into a contest fought under MMA rules. Kim, a graduate of Incheon Physical Education High School who spent six to seven years on a corporate boxing team, clearly holds the edge in boxing skill. He throws punches from a variety of angles and is adept at managing danger in tight spots. Even against Lee, who has a strong chin, a boxer's precise punches to the body and jaw could prove dangerous. Stamina is expected to be the ultimate deciding factor. It is a chronic issue among lower-tier domestic heavyweights, who tend to slow down and go longer stretches without throwing punches as the rounds wear on. Lee, whose style relies on intermittent rushes to accumulate points, will need his consistent conditioning work to pay off. The organizer said the key questions will be whether Kim, true to his elite boxing background, can use footwork to keep Lee at bay and rack up points. Another question is whether Lee can close the distance with his trademark power and turn the fight into a brawl. Matchups built around this kind of intrigue add to the fun of watching a card. The event has also already locked in a bout between popular influencer-fighter Seol Young-ho and Japanese veteran fighter Yuta Watanabe.

Sept. 8, 2026

South Korea's jiu-jitsu star Seong Gi-ra eyes third consecutive Asian Games medal

South Korea's top female jiu-jitsu athlete Seong Gi-ra, 29, is setting her sights on a third consecutive Asian Games medal. Seong will compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Aichi Budokan from Oct. 1 to 3. A podium finish would give her a historic third straight Asian Games medal. Seong is the face of Korean jiu-jitsu, having claimed gold in the women's 62-kilogram category at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and silver in the women's 63 kg class at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. She is the only South Korean athlete to have won medals at two consecutive Asian Games in jiu-jitsu — and only four athletes across all participating nations have done the same. Seong has cemented her status as the country's top competitor in the women's 63 kg division, winning gold at the National Sports Festival and taking first place at the 2026 national team selection trials. Jiu-jitsu has been an official Asian Games sport since the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. South Korea's national team has accumulated two gold medals, two silver medals and four bronze medals, placing third overall behind the UAE and Kazakhstan. South Korea will send a delegation of 18 to the upcoming Games — 16 athletes and two officials. Seong also serves as a commentator for KMMA, a domestic amateur and semi-professional competition circuit.

Sept. 8, 2026

Kwon Won-il gets second shot at UFC contract, faces Gomes at DWCS

Korean bantamweight passes weigh-in at 135.5 pounds ahead of Wednesday bout 'I will come back with a UFC contract' Kwon Won-il, a striker who made his name at Asia's largest mixed martial arts promotion ONE Championship, is taking another shot at breaking into the UFC. Kwon, 31, will compete at Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) Season 10 on Wednesday at 8 a.m. Korean Standard Time at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. His opponent is Apollo Gomes, 26, a Brazilian prospect with a 12-2 record. Kwon passed the official weigh-in on Tuesday, coming in at 135.5 pounds (61.46 kilograms) — just under the bantamweight limit of 136 pounds. Gomes weighed in at the same figure. In footage released from the weigh-in, Kwon appeared relaxed and self-assured, standing shirtless with both hands tucked into the pockets of his training pants. What might have read as arrogance was undercut by the sharp lines of his cheekbones after a hard cut, his piercing gaze and clenched jaw — all signaling a fighter with something to prove. Kwon suffered a second-round spinning back elbow TKO loss to Juan Diaz at DWCS Season 9 last October, making this his second attempt at the series. Kwon departed for the United States earlier this month. "So many people are cheering me on — I would be ashamed of myself if I put on a poor performance," he said. "I will give everything I have and come back with a UFC contract." Foreign media outlets have called Kwon's return to DWCS despite a two-fight losing streak a "rare case." The series typically invites only fighters on winning runs, as a single victory is usually enough to earn a UFC contract. The invitation speaks to how highly the UFC regards Kwon. The promotion has been drawn to his finishing ability — 13 stoppages in 14 wins, including 12 by knockout — and his aggressive, high-octane style. Observers also note that his first loss in the current skid came in a title fight against Fabricio Andrade, widely considered one of ONE Championship's most dominant champions. Combat Press described Kwon as "a rare case of getting another opportunity after back-to-back losses," noting he is returning for a second consecutive year after suffering "one of the best KOs in DWCS history." The outlet added that both Kwon and Gomes favor brawling exchanges, predicting a compelling fight between the two, with the winner likely earning a UFC contract. The event will be available to watch live on UFC Fight Pass. No domestic television broadcast is scheduled in South Korea.

Sept. 8, 2026

Lee Kang-in set for bench again in Champions League opener at Liverpool

Lee Kang-in of Atletico Madrid is expected to be left out of the starting lineup for the club's Champions League match against Liverpool. Atletico Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, will face Liverpool at Anfield in their opening 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league-phase match Thursday at 4 a.m. Korean Standard Time. It will be Lee's first Champions League appearance since joining Atletico from Paris Saint-Germain, with whom he won back-to-back titles. It also marks his first Champions League outing with a La Liga club since representing Valencia in the 2019-20 season — a gap of seven years. However, Lee is unlikely to start the match. The return to fitness of Julian Alvarez appears to be a major factor. Spanish outlet El Gol Digital reported Monday — three days before the match — that Atletico would leave both Alejandro Grimaldo and Lee out of the starting lineup against Liverpool, with Cristian Romero and Julian Alvarez expected to take their places. Lee is projected to serve as a game-changer off the bench. He has featured in all four of Atletico's matches this season but has yet to play a full 90 minutes. In the Aug. 20 win over Malaga (2-0), he came on as a substitute in the second half and scored the winning goal — a pattern analysts say is likely to be repeated against Liverpool. UEFA publishes injury updates, suspended players and projected starting lineups for each fixture. In the Liverpool-Atletico matchup, Lee's name was absent from Atletico's projected starting XI. It is a frustrating situation for Lee. Despite helping PSG win the Champions League in two consecutive seasons, he was never more than a backup in the competition rather than a regular starter. Lee had been a key figure in PSG's three consecutive Ligue 1 titles, recording 12 goals and 14 assists in 80 league appearances over three seasons, yet he was consistently overlooked in the Champions League. In the 2024-25 season, PSG's first title run, Lee appeared in eight league-phase matches and two round-of-16 playoff games, and came on as a substitute in extra time of the second leg of the round of 16 against Liverpool — but did not feature in a single match from the quarterfinals onward. The following season, 2025-26, was no different. Lee played four league-phase matches before an injury, then came on as a substitute in both the round-of-16 playoff and the round of 16 itself. He also appeared as a substitute in the first leg of the quarterfinals against Liverpool, but remained on the bench from the second leg through the final.

Sept. 8, 2026

Sports bodies retrieve essential gear from sealed offices ahead of Asian Games

Nine federations access blocked offices with police help, just over 10 days before Asian Games Relief as critical equipment, documents secured after three-month lockout Sports federations that had been unable to support their national team athletes due to a protest-driven office lockout managed to retrieve essential supplies Tuesday with police assistance — their first access in three months, just days before the Asian Games. Staff from nine Korean Sport & Olympic Committee member federations — including the Korea Handball Federation, Korea Fencing Federation, Korea Alpine Federation, Korea Wushu Federation and Korea Sepaktakraw Federation, all of which have offices at the handball arena in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul — entered the building with police help Tuesday morning and spent 50 minutes to an hour removing needed items. The handball arena had been sealed since June 5, when protesters blockaded the venue after it was used as a vote-counting center during the June 3 local elections, following a ballot shortage. Tuesday marked 95 days since the lockout began, and 84 days since a Korean Sport & Olympic Committee attempt to enter the offices was blocked on June 16 by a group known as "Oldarc." Police deployed about 2,000 personnel Tuesday morning — including 28 riot units, negotiators and detectives — to strictly control contact between outside protesters and federation staff during the retrieval. Korean Sport & Olympic Committee Secretary General Kim Dae-nyeon said the organization had no choice but to ask for police cooperation. "With the Asian Games right around the corner, administrative equipment, documents and athlete support gear were all tied up inside," he said. "Now that we've gotten the equipment and documents out, we will do our best to ensure team operations run without disruption." Federation staff, stepping into their workplaces for the first time in months, said they were relieved to finally be able to provide administrative support to national team athletes and coaches heading to the Asian Games. A Korea Handball Federation official said nine staff members retrieved all items essential to running competitions and daily operations, including the organization's official seal, bank books and an electronic scoreboard. "During the lockout we had to borrow or buy extra supplies, which was very difficult," the official said. "But being able to get the essentials out today has taken a huge weight off our shoulders." A Korea Alpine Federation official said the truck's limited capacity meant staff had to prioritize carefully, taking computers for administrative work, accounting records needed to pay athlete allowances and sponsor-supplied goods. "We were especially relieved to be able to bring out the uniforms our national team athletes will wear at the Asian Games," the official said. A Korea Fencing Federation official said staff focused on the most urgent items first, including blades, uniforms and fencing stockings to be distributed to athletes. "We had been working without a bank book or official seal all this time, so having them back is a huge relief," the official said. "We also brought out college-application documents, so our athletes won't run into any problems there." The fencing federation had already been forced to scramble through the lockout, hosting the Asian Championships in June and the World Championships in July without access to its offices. Athletes had to source their own equipment through their clubs or individually because gear stored inside the building could not be retrieved. The federation also rushed to import swords at one point to cope with the shortage.

Sept. 8, 2026

Choi Kyung-ju to host fan talk show ahead of invitational tournament

Professional golfer Choi Kyung-ju, known by his nickname "Tank," will host a fan talk show ahead of his invitational tournament next month. The Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational announced Tuesday that Choi will invite 10 golf fans to the VIP lounge at Ferrum Country Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 30 for a conversation about golf and life. Some players competing in the main tournament, which runs Oct. 1-4 at the same venue, are also expected to make surprise appearances, tournament organizers said. "I am grateful for this meaningful opportunity to meet fans in person," Choi said. "I hope to share the experiences I have gained, and I hope this meeting gives more people a greater enjoyment of golf and sparks more interest in Korean men's golf." All participants will have the opportunity to take a commemorative photo with Choi. They will also receive a one-day admission ticket to the tournament along with a gift package that includes tournament merchandise and health supplement products. Those wishing to apply may do so through links on the official Instagram accounts of the KPGA and the Choi Kyung-ju Foundation from Sept. 14-20.

Sept. 8, 2026