Lee Seung-min, Kim Seon-yeong win men's and women's titles at Japan Para Open Golf Championship

Lee Seung-min and Kim Seon-yeong claimed the men's and women's titles at the 31st Japan Para Open Golf Championship. Lee won the overall men's title Tuesday at Shinkimitsu Belgreen Country Club (par 72) in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, carding a 3-under-par 69. The first round, originally scheduled for Monday, was canceled due to bad weather, reducing the championship to an 18-hole event. Lee completed a career grand slam earlier this year by winning all of the world's major para golf majors. The Asian title cemented his standing as the world's top para golfer. In the women's division, Kim Seon-yeong took the title with a 1-over-par 71. Heo Do-gyeong, competing in the men's field, finished third with a steady even-par round. The tournament, organized by the Japan Disabled Golf Association, drew 67 players from four countries — South Korea, Japan, the United States and Spain.

Oct. 28, 2026

UFC's star-maker Nina: a model PFL could learn from

2 million YouTube subscribers, 5 million Instagram followers UFC ties major fight announcements to Nina's livestreams Nina Murray Danieli, a popular influencer associated with the UFC, is drawing attention as a case study rival promotion PFL could look to for its own fan-growth strategy. MMA Sucka, a combat sports media outlet, said Tuesday that content creators like Danieli could help PFL attract a new fan base. Known by her handle "Nina Drama," Danieli has built her following through lighthearted interviews and comedy videos featuring UFC fighters. Her content focuses on the personalities and human side of athletes rather than fight results or technical analysis. She has about 2 million YouTube subscribers and around 5 million Instagram followers. She is credited with drawing in viewers who are not hardcore MMA fans, introducing them to fighters through entertaining videos and nudging them toward a broader interest in the UFC. UFC CEO Dana White has acknowledged her influence. In a July interview, White said Danieli had helped raise the profiles of fighters including Merab Dvalishvili, Sean Strickland and Arman Tsarukyan. Her reach has also been tapped for major fight announcements. Earlier this month, White said he would reveal Alex Pereira's next opponent if Danieli's livestream received 25,000 comments — an example of the UFC linking a marquee matchup announcement to an influencer's broadcast. Her ability to adapt her interview style to each fighter is another asset. Danieli recently wore a hijab at the request of Movsar Evloev of Russia for an interview. Evloev later said he had proposed the condition expecting her to decline, but Danieli said she chose to do it out of respect for his religion and culture. The moment went viral online. Her personal relationship with UFC leadership has also drawn notice. Danieli said that in August, when she was facing persistent harassment and threats, she reached out to White for help, and that his support led to intervention by the relevant authorities. Her collaboration with Tsarukyan is another notable example. The two produced a comedy video riffing on a fight cancellation caused by one of his past injuries, extending their connection with fans well beyond the arena. MMA Sucka argued that this kind of content creation could be equally valuable for PFL. Hardcore MMA fans follow fighters' records and title races, but general audiences often come to a fight through a fighter's personality, a rivalry or a compelling backstory. The outlet said PFL needs to go beyond showcasing its fighters' in-cage skills and find content creators who can convey the personal appeal of its athletes. Meanwhile, Danieli has drawn a line at competing herself. When asked whether she would be willing to fight in the combat sports organization run by influencer Adin Ross, she said she had no intention of stepping into the ring.

Oct. 28, 2026

Volkanovski open to Topuria rematch if Gaethje fight falls through

Retirement options expand from double-title bout to revenge fight Tsarukyan enters picture, calls Volkanovski 'old and chinny' UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (38, Australia), who is planning his "last dance," has again floated Ilia Topuria (29, Spain) as a retirement opponent. Having already proposed a super fight with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (37, United States), Volkanovski has now expressed interest in a revenge bout against the man who knocked him out. In a recent interview with Australian combat sports journalist Brendan Bradford, Volkanovski said he would be open to a rematch with former featherweight and lightweight champion Topuria if a fight with Gaethje cannot be made. "Ideally it would have been great to have the lightweight title on the line — I could avenge that title loss to Topuria," Volkanovski said of his retirement fight. "Gaethje broke Topuria's unbeaten record, so my chance to do that is gone, but I still want to avenge the loss." "I have no bad feelings toward Topuria. He's a great fighter and a good person," he added. "But I'm a competitor. I want to test myself against him again." Volkanovski lost the featherweight title to Topuria by second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February 2024. He reclaimed the belt after Topuria moved up to lightweight. Volkanovski successfully defended the title Saturday at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, stopping unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev (32, Russia) by second-round TKO. His career record stands at 29 wins and four losses. Gaethje had long been Volkanovski's preferred retirement opponent. Earlier this month, Volkanovski proposed a super fight pitting the two champions against each other, even suggesting both men retire together after the bout. Gaethje, however, has been focused on recovering from injury since winning the lightweight title by defeating Topuria last June. His return is expected next year, though retirement has also been mentioned as a possibility. Volkanovski said that if Gaethje retires, he could fight someone else in his final bout, adding that he plans to retire regardless of the outcome and would not hold up the title picture in either weight class. However, whether a rematch with Topuria will actually materialize remains uncertain. Even if Gaethje vacates the lightweight title, a number of strong contenders are waiting in the division, including Arman Tsarukyan (30, Armenia). In a recent interview with combat sports reporter Helen Yee, Tsarukyan claimed someone is avoiding him — namely Justin Gaethje. "Now he's talking about retirement," Tsarukyan said. He added that Gaethje would fight if the UFC paid him enough but would otherwise retire, and that the UFC had told him to expect an answer on his next fight by late November. Tsarukyan also said he would be willing to fight Volkanovski instead of Gaethje. "Of course I'll fight him. Stylistically he's a good matchup for me," he said. "He's old and his chin is weak. He's a tough opponent, but he's getting up there in age. It's a perfect fight for me." Volkanovski challenged then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (35, Russia) twice in 2023 and lost both times. A third shot at the lightweight title, should it come together, could be his last chance to become a two-division champion. With Gaethje's future uncertain and Volkanovski now putting a revenge fight with Topuria on the table as another retirement option, attention is turning to how the UFC lightweight division's matchmaking will unfold.

Oct. 28, 2026

Korea's top fighters Lee Seung-cheol, Ok Rae-yoon set for back-to-back ONE Championship bouts

Strawweight Lee eyes 14th straight win in November Former lightweight champion Ok returns to action in December Lee targets title contention; Ok seeks comeback South Korea's top strawweight fighter "Flash" Lee Seung-cheol (27) and former lightweight champion Ok Rae-yoon (35) will face undefeated opponents in back-to-back bouts at ONE Championship. Lee, the most closely watched fighter in his weight class, will chase his 14th consecutive win, while Ok looks to stage a comeback against one of the world's premier grapplers. Lee will take on Nazares Laltanzuala (25, India) in a strawweight bout at ONE Fight Night 49, scheduled for Nov. 7 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Lee has been on a 13-fight winning streak since losing his professional debut in 2020, compiling a record of 13 wins and one loss — including seven victories by KO or TKO and three by submission. He has gone undefeated in six bouts since joining ONE Championship in 2024. In December last year, he submitted Khueng Naivacho with a rear-naked choke, then followed up with decision wins over Fabio Henrique in March and Bokang Masunyane in July. Lee was originally scheduled to face Karen Ghazaryan at ONE Fight Night 48, but the bout was canceled due to his opponent's visa issues. He now has the chance to extend his winning streak against an undefeated Indian prospect. His opponent, Laltanzuala, carries a perfect 8-0 professional record. He knocked out Suzuki Masaki just 17 seconds into their fight last year and stopped John Brutas by TKO in the first round in June. A win would give Lee 14 consecutive victories and a seven-fight winning streak inside ONE Championship. With current strawweight champion Joshua Pacio of the Philippines defending his title against Yamakita Keito of Japan on Nov. 18, a victory would also strengthen Lee's position in the title picture. About a month later, Ok Rae-yoon will enter the lightweight division. Ok is set to face Kade Ruotolo (23, United States) in a lightweight bout at ONE Fight Night 50, scheduled for Dec. 19 at the same venue. Ok is one of South Korea's most prominent mixed martial artists, having claimed the ONE Championship lightweight title in 2021 by defeating Christian Lee (United States/Singapore). He was also named male MMA fighter of the year that same year. However, Ok has struggled recently. His overall record stands at 17 wins and six losses, and he has dropped his last two bouts. His most recent defeat came in June at ONE Fight Night 44, where he lost to Lucas Gabriel of Brazil, making a turnaround all the more urgent. His opponent, Ruotolo, is the ONE lightweight submission grappling champion and an undefeated MMA prospect. He holds a perfect 4-0 professional MMA record, finishing all four opponents without going to the judges. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Ruotolo recently earned his first MMA knockout win against Dezuka Hiroyuki of Japan, finishing him with a right hand followed by ground-and-pound. Known as the "Legend Killer," Ok is still regarded as South Korea's best lightweight fighter despite his age. This bout gives him the chance to halt the winning streak of a world-class grappler while re-entering the lightweight title conversation.

Oct. 28, 2026

Samsung beats Kia 8-3 to level playoff series

Hurado earns MVP with 6⅔-inning gem; Choi Hyoung-woo hits record-breaking postseason homer at 42 The Samsung Lions defeated the Kia Tigers to even their Korea Baseball Organization playoff series at one game apiece. Samsung downed Kia 8-3 in Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on Tuesday, powered by a go-ahead RBI single from Koo Ja-wook and home runs from Lewin Diaz and Choi Hyoung-woo. Having lost Game 1 on Monday 1-5, Samsung evened the best-of-five series at 1-1. The two teams will take a day off before meeting again in Game 3 on Thursday at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju. Kia drew first blood. In the top of the third, Ha Ju-seok and Park Jae-hyeon singled to put runners on first and third with one out, and Lee Ho-yeon's sacrifice fly to center gave Kia a 1-0 lead. Samsung answered immediately in the bottom of the third. With two outs and a runner on second, Park Seung-gyu lined a two-base hit down the left-field line to tie the game, and Koo then drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single to center, making it 2-1. Diaz kept the rally going, launching a two-run homer to right-center to push the lead to 4-1. Samsung added another run in the bottom of the fifth, drawing three walks with two outs against Kia reliever Lee Eui-ri to force in a run. In the sixth, Kim Ji-chan's double and Park Seung-gyu's sacrifice fly plated two more, stretching the advantage to 7-1. Kia clawed one back in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch by Hurado, but Samsung threw cold water on the comeback when Choi Hyoung-woo hit a solo shot to right in the bottom of the inning. Kia managed only one more run in the eighth. Samsung starter Ariel Hurado threw 108 pitches over 6⅔ innings, allowing five hits, two walks and two earned runs. The winning pitcher was also named the game's MVP. Won Tae-in came on in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order, striking out two. Choi, who started at left field and batted fifth, set new KBO postseason records at 42 years and 10 months old — oldest appearance, oldest hit, oldest home run and oldest RBI in postseason history. His seventh-inning solo blast both put the game out of reach and secured his place in postseason history. Kia starter Adam Oller took the loss after surrendering five hits and five runs in 4⅔ innings. Kia's offense managed only six hits and could not solve Samsung's pitching staff. The defeat also ended Kia's six-game postseason winning streak, which had stretched back to Game 4 of the 2024 Korean Series.

Oct. 27, 2026

Hwang Hee-chan may miss November squad on merit alone, analyst says

Football commentator Park Moon-sung said Hwang Hee-chan of Schalke 04 could be left out of the November national team squad on the basis of form and positional competition alone, setting aside the various controversies that have recently surrounded the forward. Speaking in a video published Tuesday on the YouTube channel Dalsu-ne Live, Park said: "Even putting public opinion aside, Hwang could still not be called up. I'm not saying this because of the controversy. There are players like Eom Ji-sung, Bae Jun-ho and Kim Min-su — who was also selected last time — competing for that spot. When you look purely at Hwang's current form and the competition at that position, there are simply a lot of good players who can play there." He added: "I'm talking purely about ability, nothing else." Park had made a similar point in an earlier squad analysis, emphasizing the depth of talent in the second line of attack. Last month, also on Dalsu-ne Live, he explained why Lee Seung-woo had been left out of the squad, saying: "It is very hard to break into that position unless you are performing at a genuinely high level." At the time, Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Kim Min-su, Song Min-kyu, Lee Dong-gyeong and Jeong Seung-won were all cited as contenders. With Son Heung-min also capable of playing wide or centrally, Park argued that attacking talent alone was not enough to guarantee a place. He acknowledged Lee Seung-woo's offensive qualities but pointed to the physical duels and defensive work required on the international stage. The national team, led by interim head coach Roberto Moreno, will announce its November A-match squad in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Thursday. South Korea will then face Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 at 11:30 p.m. and Qatar on Nov. 17 at 11 p.m. Both matches will be held in Doha, Qatar, serving as a chance to acclimatize to Middle Eastern conditions and fine-tune tactical combinations ahead of the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. The two matches will also be the last of Moreno's contracted tenure as interim head coach.

Oct. 27, 2026

Kim Min-sol eyes early money title as rival Seo Gyo-rim sits out with injury

A win Thursday would put Kim atop the money list Rookie of the year already secured, Kim eyes fourth win Kim Min-sol (20) is pushing for an early clinch of the KLPGA Tour money title after rival Seo Gyo-rim (20) withdrew from this week's tournament with a rib injury, opening the door for Kim to wrap up the season's top prize ahead of schedule. Kim tees off Thursday at the 20th S-OIL Championship, a four-day event at Elysian Jeju Country Club in Jeju (par 72, 6,924 yards), with a purse of 1 billion won ($756,000). The tournament is one of only two remaining on the KLPGA Tour schedule this season. Kim, who has three wins this season, leads the money list with 1.59 billion won. Seo, who has four wins, sits second with 1.41 billion won — a gap of 176.86 million won. Seo pulled out of the tournament citing pain in her right rib. She had already withdrawn after the first round of the Iceberg Golf·Seoul Shinmun Open and was unable to play the final round of the LPGA Tour's BMW Ladies Championship. Crowning, Seo's management agency, said Tuesday that she "decided not to participate in order to be in perfect condition for the season finale," adding that she plans "to focus on rest and recovery during the remaining period." A win for Kim would add 180 million won to her season earnings, bringing her total to 1.77 billion won. Even if Seo wins the season finale, the Daebo Housedie Championship, and collects 300 million won in prize money, she would still be unable to catch Kim — securing the money title for Kim. Kim has already broken the KLPGA Tour record for the most prize money earned in a single season. The previous record of 1.52 billion won was set by Park Min-ji in 2021. A solo 20th-place finish or better this week would make Kim the first player in tour history to surpass 1.6 billion won in a single season. Kim also clinched the rookie of the year award well ahead of schedule. She leads the rookie points standings with 2,608 points, ahead of second-place Kim Ga-hee 2 (1,378 points) by a margin of 1,230 points. Rookie points are awarded on a sliding scale based on a tournament's total purse and final standings, with first-place finishes worth between 150 and 310 points depending on the purse size. Even if Kim Ga-hee 2 wins both remaining tournaments, she cannot close the gap. Kim is also chasing Seo in the wins and player of the year standings. Seo leads in all three categories — four wins, 563 player-of-the-year points and a stroke average of 70.6405. Kim sits second in each: three wins, 525 points and a 70.7895 average. A win this week would pull Kim level with Seo at four victories, push her player-of-the-year points to 595 to take the lead, and set a new KLPGA Tour record for the most wins by a rookie in a single season. Kim is also in strong form. She finished tied for fourth at the BMW Ladies Championship, which ended Sunday, posting the best result among the 15 KLPGA Tour members in the field. "I'm just grateful to still be competing for major titles this late in the season," Kim said. "Rather than thinking too much about records or titles, I want to focus on my own game." Defending champion Ko Ji-won (22) is bidding for back-to-back titles and her second win of the season. A Jeju native, Ko won twice last year in tournaments held in her home province. Ma Seo-young (23), who claimed her first career victory at the previous event, the Iceberg Golf·Seoul Shinmun Open, is looking to win in consecutive weeks.

Oct. 27, 2026

Shin Sang-hoon leads Genesis points race as Lexus Masters looms

KPGA season award race enters chaotic final stretch Tournament runs Thursday through Sunday at Club72 in Incheon Shin says he will focus on the last two events, not the points gap The KPGA Tour's season award race is entering its final stretch. Shin Sang-hoon has moved to the top of the Genesis points standings, with Jung Chan-min and Jang Yu-bin both looking to overturn him. The 2026 Lexus Masters runs Thursday through Sunday at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course on Yeongjongdo in Incheon (par 71, 7,076 yards). The tournament carries a purse of 1 billion won ($756,000), with a winner's share of 200 million won, and is expected to draw a field of 102 players. Now in its third edition, the Lexus Masters is the last event before the season-ending KPGA Tour Championship, which opens Nov. 5. The winner will receive 1,000 Genesis points. As of Tuesday, Shin leads the Genesis points standings with 5,255.51 points. Jung sits second at 4,744.77 points, trailing by 510.74, while Jang is third at 4,576.75 points, 678.76 behind. The standings have shifted sharply in recent weeks. Jang, who had held the lead since mid-season, surrendered the top spot to Shin, while Jung vaulted to second after winning the Charity Classic — which ended Oct. 18 — to collect 1,000 points. If Shin wins this week and Jung finishes fourth or lower while Jang finishes second or lower, Shin will clinch his first career Genesis season award regardless of the outcome at the Tour Championship. "I enter every tournament aiming to compete for the win," Shin said. "I believe good results will follow naturally from that. I'll focus on the two remaining events themselves rather than the points gap with the other players." Jung is riding a wave of momentum after his wire-to-wire victory at the Charity Classic, where he led from the first round to the last. He has recorded six top-10 finishes this season, including two runner-up results, and ranks first on tour in scoring average at 69.54 strokes per round. Jang, a two-time winner this season, is in urgent need of a turnaround. He has not finished inside the top 20 in any of his five starts since a tied-second finish at the Shinhan Donghae Open in September. All eyes are on whether he can shake off the slump and swing the season award race back in his favor over the final two events. Defending champion Kim Jae-ho, 44, is chasing back-to-back titles. Kim claimed his first tour victory last year at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, surviving a four-man playoff in his 210th career start. At 43 years and nine months old at the time, he set the record as the oldest first-time winner in KPGA Tour history. The venue has changed this year to Club72's Ocean Course. Kim said his wrist had been improving recently, signaling his intent to defend his title. Park Sang-hyun, 43, and Ham Jung-woo, 32, both sponsored by tournament backer Lexus, will also be in the mix. Park, a 14-time winner on the KPGA Tour, needs about 32 million won more to surpass 6 billion won in career domestic earnings. The tournament also serves as a qualifying event for the season finale. Only the top 70 players in the Genesis points standings after the Lexus Masters will earn spots in the KPGA Tour Championship. For those outside the top 70, this week's event is in effect their last chance to secure a tour card for next season.

Oct. 27, 2026

Slumping Welcome Savings Bank signs T. Nguyen, Kang Yu-jin in mid-season additions

Only club among 10 to exercise additional selection right Pair set to play in Round 4 starting Saturday Welcome Savings Bank is looking to climb out of the lower half of the Professional Billiards Association Team League standings after signing two players in a mid-season roster move. The PBA announced Tuesday that Welcome Savings Bank had used the 2026-2027 season's mid-season additional selection system to sign Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao, 29, of Vietnam, and Kang Yu-jin, 33. Welcome Savings Bank sits eighth among 10 clubs after three rounds, with a 10-17 record and 36 points. The club, a former Team League Final champion, is hoping the additions will spark a turnaround. Nguyen made his PBA debut this season and won the SY Championship — his third tour event — defeating Semih Sayginer of Turkey in the final. Kang has been in steady form, finishing runner-up at the third tour event this season before reaching the round of 16 at the fourth and the quarterfinals at the fifth. The PBA's mid-season additional selection system allows clubs to add players up to the nine-player roster limit after the conclusion of Round 3. Welcome Savings Bank was the only club among the 10 to exercise its selection right this time. Under the additional selection rules, Welcome Savings Bank must retain both players through the 2027-2028 season and designate them as protected players for next season as well. Nguyen and Kang are expected to make their Team League appearances starting in Round 4, which opens Saturday.

Oct. 27, 2026

Milwaukee routs Tampa Bay 10-1, one win from first World Series title

8 runs in 5th inning set WS record for most runs after two outs; starter Gasser tosses 6 scoreless, Chourio goes 4-for-5 The Milwaukee Brewers moved within one win of their first World Series championship, sweeping the first three games of the best-of-seven series. Milwaukee routed the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in Game 3 on Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, pounding out 16 hits. After winning Games 1 and 2 by scores of 3-2 and 5-4, the Brewers added a road victory to go 3-0 in the series. One more win will give the franchise its first World Series title in its 58-year history. Milwaukee took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on consecutive RBI singles by Christian Yelich and William Contreras. The game turned decisively in the fifth, when a video review overturned a force-out call at second base with two outs and runners on first and second. What had appeared to be the final out of the inning was reversed to a safe call, loading the bases and keeping the rally alive. Tampa Bay pulled starter Freddy Peralta and brought in Cam Booser, but could not stop the Brewers' onslaught. Brice Turang started the damage with a two-run single, followed by an RBI hit from Garrett Mitchell and back-to-back RBI doubles by Cooper Pratt and Sal Frelick. David Hamilton and Jackson Chourio added RBI hits, and the score ballooned to 10-0 in a matter of minutes. Milwaukee scored eight runs after two outs in the fifth inning alone, setting a World Series record for most runs scored after two outs in a single inning. Starter Robert Gasser was dominant on the mound, allowing just one hit over six scoreless innings. The Brewers held Tampa Bay to one hit through eight innings before Brandon Woodruff surrendered a run in the ninth, though it had no bearing on the outcome. Chourio went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Contreras was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run. Every starter in Milwaukee's lineup reached base, and eight of the nine batters recorded a hit — the only exception being Jake Bauers.

Oct. 27, 2026

Yang Min-hyuk criticized by Westerlo coach for lack of intensity after Asian Games gaffe

Yang Min-hyuk, 20, of KVC Westerlo has been publicly called out by his club's coach over his attitude. British outlet Spurs Web reported Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) that Westerlo coach Isame Charaï had openly expressed disappointment with Tottenham Hotspur loanee Yang over his struggles in the Belgian league. The remarks came after Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen published an interview in which Charaï addressed Yang directly. "I haven't seen enough intensity from Yang Min-hyuk so far — not in training either," Charaï said. "He needs to grow in that area." Yang joined Westerlo on loan from Tottenham last summer but has yet to earn a starting berth in the Belgian top flight. He has been limited to substitute appearances, with his rhythm further disrupted by injury and his participation in the Asian Games. There were signs of a turnaround. Yang scored his first Belgian league goal against Royal Antwerp on Oct. 12, shortly after returning to the club with a gold medal from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Introduced as a substitute in the 85th minute, Yang drove into the opposition penalty area on a counterattack in stoppage time, used a deft touch to beat a defender and curled a precise shot into the net. The cameo showcased his strengths — pace, dribbling ability and composure in front of goal — and raised hopes that he could push for a regular starting spot. The momentum did not last. Yang made his first start for Westerlo in a cup match against Patro Eisden on Oct. 17, his first from the beginning since joining the club. The opportunity came on the heels of his league debut goal, but he was substituted at halftime. Charaï was blunt after the final whistle, saying Yang "didn't hold the ball well enough." The coach did, however, acknowledge that it would be "too harsh" to judge Yang solely on that performance, and made clear he would not rush to conclusions based on a handful of specific criteria. Meanwhile, Yang drew widespread public anger after making remarks following the Asian Games final that were widely interpreted as saying he had played only for the military service exemption the gold medal would bring.

Oct. 27, 2026

'Stungun' Kim Dong-hyun to open pop-up stores in Daejeon, Busan

Official merchandise also available through online virtual store Former UFC fighter and broadcaster Kim Dong-hyun, known by his ring name "Stungun," is set to open official pop-up stores in Daejeon and Busan. Fan platform company Pledge said it opened Kim's STUNGUN pop-up store at Daejeon Shinsegae Art & Science on Monday. Stungun is Kim's ring name and, along with the nickname "Maemi Kim," a familiar moniker among his fans. The Daejeon store will run through Nov. 8 on the sixth-floor Art Terrace. It will then move to the Hyperstate on the second below-ground floor of Shinsegae Centum City in Busan from Nov. 19 to Dec. 3. Kim is scheduled to visit the Daejeon store in person on Nov. 6 to hold a fan meeting. The venue features a "Hyrox Challenge Zone" where visitors can take on Kim's fitness records, with two exercise machines available for hands-on participation. Twenty-three official merchandise items are also on sale, including apparel such as T-shirts, hoodies and hats, as well as a desk sandbag, plush toys, keyrings and sports towels — all drawing on Kim's character and catchphrases. For fans unable to visit in person, an online 3D virtual store has also been set up, replicating the physical pop-up store in a digital space where visitors can browse and purchase products. The online platform also offers seven mini-games, including a punch-strength test and a "Catch Maemi Kim" game. Through Nov. 30, players can earn merchandise discount coupons based on their rankings, and participants in team competitions will be entered into a draw for products autographed by Kim. The virtual store is accessible through the Pledge Store website and mobile app.

Oct. 27, 2026

Lexus Masters to offer lessons, high-five zone and gallery events

Lexus Korea announced Tuesday that it will run a series of gallery participation events at the 2026 Lexus Masters, a KPGA Tour event to be held from Thursday through Sunday at Club72 Ocean Course on Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Now in its third year, the tournament will feature free introductory golf lessons, a mini putting experience and golf simulator sessions. Lexus electrification vehicles and craft works will be on display, and a championship trophy created in collaboration with artist Lee Ji-woo will also be unveiled. At the ninth hole, organizers will set up a "Masters Lounge" where spectators can watch players up close, along with a "High-Five Zone" where players and gallery members can interact directly. A "Best Dresser" event — in which fans vote on players' on-course outfits — will make its debut at this year's tournament. Lexus vehicle owners will receive access to a dedicated lounge at the 18th hole as well as parking and shuttle services. An "Honorary Observer" program will also be available, allowing participants to walk all 18 holes inside the ropes alongside a player's group.

Oct. 27, 2026

Oller seeks redemption in Daegu as Furado chases first postseason win

Oller looks to avenge 8-run collapse at Samsung's home park; Furado winless in four career postseason appearances KIA Tigers starter Adam Oller and Samsung Lions starter Ariel Furado will square off in Game 2 of the KBO playoff series Tuesday, each looking to shake off an unwanted record. The two pitchers take the mound at 6:30 p.m. at Daegu Samsung Lions Park for Game 2 of the 2026 KBO postseason playoff, a best-of-five series. KIA, which won Game 1 by a score of 5-1, is looking to extend its winning streak, while Samsung is desperate for a comeback. Oller went 2-1 against Samsung this season with an ERA of 5.79, but his numbers varied sharply depending on the venue. In two starts against Samsung in Gwangju, he allowed just one run over 13 innings to earn both wins. In a road start at Daegu on July 28, however, he was knocked around for eight runs on seven hits and three walks in a single inning. He now faces Samsung's lineup at that same ballpark again. His recent postseason form has been encouraging. On Oct. 18, he pitched six innings and allowed two runs to earn the win in Game 2 of the wild-card round against the LG Twins. Furado, Samsung's starter, will be chasing his first postseason victory. Through last season, he had gone 0-3 with a 4.29 ERA in four postseason appearances, despite pitching at least 6⅔ innings in each of his three starts without ever picking up a win. In his one start against KIA this season, he went seven innings and gave up three runs on 10 hits, leaving with a no-decision. He surrendered plenty of hits but avoided walks and home runs to limit the damage. Samsung will need more than a strong outing from Furado — its lineup must also bounce back. The Lions managed just two hits and one run in Game 1. Particularly crucial is the form of captain Koo Ja-wook, who won the batting title this season with a .371 average. Playing as the designated hitter batting third while nursing a hamstring injury, Koo went 0-for-4 in Game 1. Koo went 3-for-7 (.429) with two RBIs against Oller this season. Lee Jae-hyeon also fared well against the right-hander, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Samsung Manager Park Jin-man signaled lineup changes after the Game 1 loss. "I'll think through a number of options," Park said. "I need to meet with the coaching staff. I'm looking to make changes to the player usage, the lineup and the batting order." Also drawing attention is whether veteran Choi Hyung-woo, who was left out of the Game 1 starting lineup after Koo took the DH spot, will get a start in Game 2. Park indicated he was reviewing several options regarding Choi's possible inclusion. If KIA wins Game 2 as well, the club will need just one more victory to reach the Korean Series. Samsung, meanwhile, must salvage a win at home to reset the series.

Oct. 27, 2026

Doosan E&C golf team first in Korea to surpass 30,000 Instagram followers

Team credits fan-engagement marketing, including a club anthem and pro-am events The Doosan Engineering & Construction We've golf team announced Tuesday that its official Instagram account has surpassed 30,000 followers, a first among professional golf teams in South Korea. Founded in 2023, the team launched its Instagram account in August of that year. It reached 10,000 followers in October 2024 and 20,000 in December last year, before hitting the 30,000 mark just 10 months later. Beyond match results and player updates, the team has consistently offered fan-driven content including short-form videos, interviews and quiz events. In August, the players released a club anthem titled "We've Got Everything," and the full music video was made available exclusively on the official Instagram account in September. The team also runs fan-invitation pro-am events — at the first event in August, demand was so high that the acceptance rate was less than one in 250. Doosan Engineering & Construction plans to hold a second fan-invitation pro-am on Nov. 17 at Gapyeong Benest Golf Club in Gyeonggi Province, featuring players Jo Yun-jeong, Kim Yeong-ju, An So-hyeon, An Ye-in and Moon Seo-hyeong. "We place great importance on fans being able to participate directly in our content and events," a Doosan Engineering & Construction official said. "We will continue to expand fan participation programs and build a fandom culture unique to our golf team."

Oct. 27, 2026

Nikon launches Coolshot Pro III Stabilized Black golf rangefinder

Nikon Imaging Korea announced Tuesday the launch of a premium black-edition laser golf rangefinder, the Coolshot Pro III Stabilized Black (COOLSHOT PROIII STABILIZED BLACK). The new model retains the performance and features of the existing Coolshot Pro III Stabilized while adding an all-black exterior. It comes with a Hyper Read function that displays measurement results in about 0.1 seconds regardless of distance, and a Stabilized function that reduces image shake caused by hand tremors. The device also features Dual Locked On Quake, which alerts users with a green indicator and vibration when distance measurement to a target — such as a flagstick — is complete. To mark the launch, Nikon Imaging Korea will give customers who purchase the product a complimentary Srixon Z Star Divide (Z STAR DIVIDE) golf ball through Dec. 27. "This model was designed for golfers who value not only distance-measuring performance but also design and collectability," said Lee Ju-eun, marketing director at Nikon Imaging Korea.

Oct. 27, 2026

Kane wins Ballon d'Or, first English player in 25 years

Beats Yamal, Mbappe; first Bayern winner in 45 years Also takes striker award; Son Heung-min cheers on social media Harry Kane, 33, has won the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career, becoming the first English player to claim football's most prestigious individual award in 25 years. Kane was named the men's winner at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony held Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) at the London Palladium, beating out strong competition including Lamine Yamal of Spain and Barcelona and Kylian Mbappe of France and Real Madrid. The last English player to win the award was Michael Owen in 2001. Kane became the fifth English winner in the award's history, following inaugural recipient Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) and Owen. It is also the first time a Bayern Munich player has won since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981, a gap of 45 years. Kane completed a double by also claiming the best striker award — formerly known as the Gerd Muller Trophy — making him a two-time winner of that prize after sharing it with Mbappe in 2024. Across the 2025-2026 season, Kane scored 73 goals and added eight assists in 65 appearances for club and country. He finished as the Bundesliga's top scorer with 36 goals, winning the golden boot for the third consecutive season, and also claimed the European Golden Shoe as the leading scorer across European leagues. In all competitions for Bayern Munich, he scored 61 goals in 51 matches, setting a new club record for goals in a single season. He contributed to Bayern's Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal triumph. For England, he scored 12 goals in 14 appearances, including six at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, helping the national team finish third. Son Heung-min, 34, of LAFC — Kane's former strike partner at Tottenham Hotspur — cheered on his old teammate ahead of the ceremony. Son left a comment on a video of Kane's highlights posted by Bayern Munich on social media, writing "Just wow" alongside GOAT, gold medal and trophy emojis. The ceremony was also preceded by a brief controversy involving the award's official website, which appeared to prematurely reveal the winner. Before the ceremony began, articles introducing Kane, Yamal and Mbappe each as the men's winner were briefly published on the official Ballon d'Or website before being taken down. The simultaneous appearance of articles naming different winners fueled speculation that the actual result had leaked in advance. The organizers said the articles had been prepared in advance for each possible winner and were published by mistake, adding that they did not reflect the actual voting results or rankings. The Ballon d'Or was established in 1956 by French football magazine France Football and is awarded based on votes from football journalists around the world. This year's ceremony was held in London for the first time, moving away from its traditional home of Paris in honor of inaugural winner Matthews.

Oct. 27, 2026

Choi Hye-jin eyes first LPGA win in Malaysia after back-to-back runner-up finishes

Choi led last year's Maybank Championship through three rounds before finishing second; Ryu Hae-ran chases third win and Vare Trophy Choi Hye-jin, who has finished runner-up in back-to-back LPGA Tour events, will make another bid for her first tour victory when she tees up in Malaysia this week. Choi is set to compete in the Maybank Championship (purse: $3 million), a four-day event beginning Thursday at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club West Course (par 72) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On Sunday, Choi tied for second at the BMW Ladies Championship with a 16-under-par 272, sharing the position with Ryu Hae-ran. She trailed leader Yoshida Yuri of Japan by just one stroke through the 17th hole of the final round, but her birdie putt on the par-4 18th slid past the cup, ending her hopes of a playoff. Choi had also finished runner-up at the Buick LPGA Shanghai the week before, making it two consecutive near-misses. Including the team event at the Dow Championship, she has now finished second three times this season. The Maybank Championship also gives Choi a chance to avenge last year's result at the same event. She held the outright lead through all three of the first rounds and took a four-stroke advantage into the final round, only to finish in a three-way tie with Yamashita Miyu of Japan and Hannah Green of Australia before losing to Yamashita in a playoff. Choi, who made her official LPGA Tour debut in 2022, has yet to claim her first victory. She has finished runner-up six times since her debut — nine times if her pre-membership appearances are included. She currently ranks eighth on tour in total strokes gained at an average of 1.51 per round, a metric that measures how many strokes a player saves relative to the tour average, making her a strong contender this week. Ryu Hae-ran, who tied for second alongside Choi on Sunday, will look to add a third win of the season and claim the Vare Trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average on tour. As of the conclusion of the BMW Ladies Championship, Ryu leads Yamashita in scoring average 69.44 to 69.64. Nelly Korda of the United States holds the top scoring average but has not played enough rounds to qualify for the award, leaving Ryu well positioned to take the trophy. The field this week also includes defending champion Yamashita, Yin Ruoning of China, and Green — top-ranked players who sat out last week's event in Korea. The Maybank Championship is the third-to-last event remaining on the LPGA Tour schedule this season.

Oct. 27, 2026

Pereira says he'll drop back to light heavyweight if he loses to Pavlovich

'I don't want to keep getting hit at a disadvantage' Would seek immediate title shot upon return to 205-pound division Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira (39, Brazil) has hinted he may abandon his heavyweight campaign and return to light heavyweight. He said he would drop back down if he loses to Sergei Pavlovich (34, Russia) in December. Pereira made the remarks on a recent episode of the podcast "Connect Cast." "If I lose to Pavlovich, I won't stay at heavyweight," he said. "I think going back to light heavyweight is the most ideal option." "Everyone knows I'm not as big as the other heavyweights," he added. "I have no intention of continuing to take punishment at that kind of disadvantage. Going back to the division where I competed more comfortably is the best move." Pereira is scheduled to face Pavlovich in a five-round heavyweight co-main event at UFC 335, set for Dec. 13 (Korean Standard Time) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After capturing titles at middleweight and light heavyweight, Pereira vacated the light heavyweight belt in February to pursue a historic third divisional title, which would have made him the UFC's first three-division champion. The bid got off to a rough start, however, as he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane (36, France) at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June, falling short in his heavyweight debut and failing to claim the interim title. Pereira had called for an immediate rematch with Gane, but it did not materialize. Instead, he will make his second heavyweight appearance against Pavlovich, who is riding a three-fight winning streak. At a May event in Macao, Pavlovich knocked out Talissson Teixeira of Brazil just 39 seconds into the opening round. Pereira expects Pavlovich to come out pressing with heavy punches early or look to drain his energy through wrestling, but said he is well prepared and confident of victory. He also said a return to light heavyweight would come with an immediate title shot. The current light heavyweight champion is Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand, who claimed the vacant belt by knocking out Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic at UFC 327 in April, but has yet to make his first title defense after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. A loss to Pavlovich would leave Pereira with an 0-2 record at heavyweight. A win, on the other hand, would give him a platform to re-enter the heavyweight title picture.

Oct. 27, 2026

Jo Geon-hwi beats David Martinez for second win of PBA season, fourth career title

Rallies to win final 4-3, avenging earlier loss to Martinez Leads season prize money standings: 'Billiards is so much fun these days' Jo Geon-hwi of Welcome Savings Bank defeated David Martinez of Spain (Crown Haitai) to claim his second title of the season in the Professional Billiards Association tour. Jo beat Martinez 4-3 in sets in the final of the fifth tour event of the 2026-2027 season — the NH NongHyup Card PBA Championship — held Monday at Kintex PBA Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The victory, coming five months after his season opener win in May, gave Jo his fourth career title and lifted him into a three-way tie for third on the all-time PBA wins list alongside Kang Dong-gung and Kim Young-won. The 100 million won ($75,500) winner's check pushed Jo's season prize money to 216 million won, keeping him atop the season earnings standings. His career prize money rose to 611.5 million won, surpassing Kim Young-won (583.5 million won) to move him to sixth on the all-time list. Jo dropped the opening set 7-15 but staged a comeback in the second. Leading 13-8, he conceded six consecutive points to fall behind 13-14, then sank a two-point bank shot in the bottom of the ninth inning to win 15-14. He took the third set 15-6 before losing the fourth 4-15 after Martinez posted a high run of 11. Jo bounced back with a 15-4 win in the fifth set, posting a high run of seven, before dropping the sixth 7-15. In the deciding seventh set, Jo led 8-6 through four innings. After both players went scoreless for two consecutive innings, Jo converted the remaining three points in the seventh inning to seal an 11-6 victory and the championship. The win also served as payback for Jo, who had lost to Martinez 2-4 in the semifinals of the previous tour event. He avenged that defeat two weeks later on the final stage. Martinez finished runner-up for the second consecutive tournament. His bid for a ninth career title fell short, leaving him unable to break the all-time PBA wins record of eight that he shares with Belgium's Frederic Caudron. "I feel like the consistent work I have put in for more than five years is finally paying off," Jo said after the victory. "Billiards is so much fun these days."

Oct. 27, 2026