Ex-UFC fighter's TKO win overturned to disqualification after attacking opponent during stoppage

Askhaborov's misconduct leads to result reversal 10 days later Danish federation hands fighter, corner team 12-month bans A former UFC fighter's first-round TKO victory has been overturned to a disqualification loss, 10 days after the bout, following his attack on an opponent during a stoppage. The Danish MMA Federation (DMMAF) announced Tuesday that it had changed the result of Husein Askhaborov's bout from a first-round TKO win to a disqualification loss and imposed 12-month suspensions on both the fighter and his corner team. Askhaborov had faced Reinaldo Ekson Oliveira of Brazil in a lightweight bout at Airtox Dominance FC 8.0, held Oct. 17 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The fight was chaotic from the opening round. According to local media, the bout was stopped once after Askhaborov landed a blow to the back of his opponent's head. After it resumed, a suspected eye poke halted the action again. While Oliveira was being examined by medical staff, Askhaborov attacked him, prompting the referee to physically intervene. Members of Askhaborov's corner then attempted to enter the cage, and security personnel had to step in. After reviewing footage, the referee ruled the strike to the eye area a legal blow. When Oliveira was unable to continue, Askhaborov was declared the winner by first-round TKO. The DMMAF's post-fight investigation, however, determined that Askhaborov's attempt to attack his opponent during the stoppage constituted a serious rules violation. The federation reversed the result and banned Askhaborov and his corner team from federation-sanctioned events and activities for one year. It also acknowledged problems with the original ruling. Oliveira told MMA Fighting that he had been struck on the back of the head and had his eye raked with fingers, and said he underwent a week of antibiotic treatment for the eye injury. Askhaborov pushed back against the sanctions, claiming his opponent had provoked him. He argued that while his actions may warrant punishment, they did not justify awarding the victory to his opponent. Askhaborov, a Chechen-born Russian, lost his UFC debut by decision to Jamal Emers of the United States in February 2023. That September, he was arrested in Thailand on charges of kidnapping, torture and extortion, and in 2024 he received a two-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. He returned to competition in December 2025 with another organization. The Denmark bout was his second fight since that comeback, but the disqualification loss leaves his professional record at 24 wins and 2 losses.

Oct. 27, 2026

LIV Golf 2.0 lines up 15 players as Jon Rahm exits

About 15 players have tentatively agreed to stay with or join the LIV Golf 2.0 project as the tour pursues financial restructuring and new investment. The Financial Times and Golfweek reported Monday that LIV Golf had secured provisional commitments from roughly 15 players ahead of the launch of its restructured LIV Golf 2.0 format. The reports are closely tied to a $300 million investment from British private equity fund BC Partners, the new financial backer of LIV Golf 2.0. BC Partners has maintained that a roster of at least 30 to 40 players is essential for the revamped league to get off the ground. The 15 commitments offer a lifeline to a league that had been losing momentum. Players publicly known to have expressed intent to remain or compete under LIV Golf 2.0 — or considered likely to honor their contracts — include Richard Bland of England, Cameron Tringale and Brandon Steel of the United States, and Ben Campbell of New Zealand. Dustin Johnson of the United States, captain of 4 Aces GC, is in negotiations over more than $100 million in remaining contract fees and exit settlement terms, placing him at the center of the league's restructuring. Bryson DeChambeau is also in final discussions about joining LIV Golf 2.0, having worked behind the scenes to help launch the new venture. Thomas Pieters of Belgium, Paul Casey of England, Anirban Lahiri of India and Peter Uihlein of the United States are also mentioned as candidates for the LIV Golf 2.0 roster. Despite the 15 commitments, the outlook for LIV Golf 2.0 remains uncertain. Jon Rahm of Spain, the league's marquee name, officially announced his departure after declaring the terms of a new contract "unacceptable." Tyrrell Hatton of England, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, Ian Poulter of England, Abraham Ancer of Mexico and David Puig of Spain have also announced their exits.

Oct. 27, 2026

Castro shines on both sides of the ball as KIA seizes Game 1 of playoff series

3-for-4, 3 RBIs earns Castro MVP honors; starter Naile ejected after hit-by-pitch in 4⅓ strong innings The KIA Tigers rode a standout two-way performance from Harold Castro to defeat the Samsung Lions in Game 1 of their best-of-five playoff series. KIA beat Samsung 5-1 Monday at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu in the opening game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff, with Castro and Han Jun-su each hitting home runs to power the offense. In best-of-five playoff history, the Game 1 winner has advanced to the Korean Series in 27 of 35 series — a rate of 77.1 percent. The game tilted KIA's way from the start. In the top of the first, Kim Do-young drew a walk and stole second with two outs, and Castro followed with an RBI single to right to put KIA on the board. Na Sung-bum then doubled down the left-field line to make it 2-0. Castro made his presence felt on defense in the bottom of the first as well. With a runner on first and nobody out, he fielded a sharp grounder off the bat of Samsung's Kim Seong-yun, threw to shortstop Ha Ju-seok, and hustled back to first in time to complete a 3-6-3 double play. The contrast with Samsung first baseman Lewin Diaz was stark: in the top of the first, Diaz had failed to make an aggressive play on Castro's batted ball as it skipped past him. Castro kept producing. In the top of the third, with two outs and a runner on first, he launched a two-run homer to right-center off Samsung starter Chris Paddack to push the lead to 4-0. Han Jun-su added a solo shot to right-center in the fourth to stretch the margin to five runs. KIA starter James Naile was dominant through 4⅓ innings, allowing just one hit, before being ejected in the bottom of the fifth after hitting Park Seung-gyu in the helmet with a pitch. He had thrown 57 pitches at the time. Samsung cut the deficit to 5-1 on an RBI single to left by Kim Yeong-ung off reliever Jeong Hae-yeong, but could not add any more runs. KIA then turned to Lee Eui-ri, Jo Sang-woo, Gwak Do-gyu and Jeon Sang-hyeon in succession to close out the win. Samsung starter Paddack was roughed up for five runs in 4⅔ innings, and the Lions managed only two hits on the day. Castro, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, was named the game's most valuable player. The victory snapped a five-game playoff losing streak for KIA dating back to Game 4 of their 2002 playoff series against the LG Twins. It also extended the Tigers' postseason winning streak to six games, a run that began with Game 4 of the 2024 Korean Series. The two teams meet again Tuesday at the same venue for Game 2. Samsung has named Ariel Jurado as their starter, while KIA will send out Adam Oller. Jurado made one start against KIA at his home park in Daegu this season, going seven innings and allowing three runs. He has gone winless in four career postseason appearances through last year, posting three losses and a 4.29 ERA, and will be looking for his first postseason victory. Oller went 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA against Samsung in the regular season. He was sharp at home in Gwangju, allowing just one run over 13 innings across two starts, but was knocked around for eight runs in a single inning during a road start in Daegu on July 28.

Oct. 26, 2026

Smotherman wins Bermuda Championship in third playoff hole for second title in a month

Power fails to save par after tee shot finds rough Austin Smotherman of the United States claimed the PGA Tour Butterfield Bermuda Championship title after a three-hole playoff. Smotherman defeated Seamus Power of Ireland in the playoff at Port Royal Golf Course (par 71) in Southampton, Bermuda, on Monday (Korean Standard Time). The final round was canceled due to strong winds, leaving the 54-hole score to determine the champion. Smotherman and Power had both finished at 16-under-par 197 to force the playoff. The first two playoff holes, both played on the par-3 16th, ended in pars for each player, leaving the outcome unresolved. The third hole proved decisive. Smotherman hit his tee shot onto the green and two-putted for par. Power, by contrast, found the left rough off the tee and, though he reached the green with his second shot, missed his par putt. He ultimately made bogey, handing Smotherman the title. The victory came just weeks after Smotherman claimed his first PGA Tour title at the Bank of Utah Championship earlier this month, giving him two wins within a month and raising his career total to two Tour victories. South Korean player Roh Seung-yul finished in a tie for 17th at 10-under-par through three rounds. The cancellation of the final round left him with no opportunity to improve his standing.

Oct. 26, 2026

Lydia Ko denies giving golf lesson to first lady Kim Hye-kyung

Golfer says she was at sponsor event on day in question; threatens legal action over false reports LPGA Tour golfer Lydia Ko (29, New Zealand) has denied allegations that she played golf with first lady Kim Hye-kyung and gave her a lesson. Ko posted a statement on her Instagram on Monday saying the reports published that day were false and had nothing to do with her. "In particular, on the date mentioned in the article, I was fulfilling an official schedule for a sponsor event and have absolutely no connection to what was reported," she added. She also said she would take legal action, as appropriate, against articles, posts and comments that spread unverified falsehoods or damage her reputation. The post included the hashtag "#that'snotemewho'sthat." Earlier Monday, People Power Party lawmaker Ju Jin-woo raised the allegations at a national audit session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, claiming that Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, had played golf with a well-known professional golfer at Taereung Country Club in Seoul on Tuesday. Ju said he had obtained a tip identifying the golfer as Lydia Ko and claiming Ko had given Kim a golf lesson. Ko responded directly through social media, denying the allegations by saying she had been attending an official sponsor event on the date in question. Cheong Wa Dae also rebuffed Ju's claims, calling them one-sided allegations unsupported by facts. Ko, a New Zealander of Korean descent, made her LPGA Tour debut in 2014 and has since won 23 titles. In 2024, she was inducted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. Ko is scheduled to compete in the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship in Malaysia, which runs for four days beginning Thursday.

Oct. 26, 2026

KPGA Junior League wraps up Rainbow Tournament in Pocheon

Kim I-deun, Seo Seong-won and Kim Chan-yul take division titles The Korea Professional Golfers' Association said Monday that the 2026 KPGA Junior League 4th Rainbow Level-Up Tournament concluded successfully at the Hillmaru Golf & Resort par-3 course in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The event drew 120 young golfers who competed across three divisions based on elementary school grade level: grades 1-2, grades 3-4 and grades 5-6. Play was conducted in nine-hole stroke play format on the par-3 course. In the grades 1-2 division, Kim I-deun of JL Golf Academy won with a score of 29 strokes, 2 over par. Seo Seong-won of Paju Golf Club claimed the grades 3-4 title at 25 strokes, 2 under par, while Kim Chan-yul of Mint Junior Golf won the grades 5-6 division with 28 strokes, 1 over par. Based on the results, 43 players advanced to higher levels under the Rainbow Promotion System — 29 moved from level 3 to level 4, and 14 advanced from level 7 to level 8. The KPGA Junior League operates the eight-tier Rainbow Promotion System to support young players in developing their skills from their introduction to golf through successive stages of growth. The tournament was held with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, with sponsorship from US Kids Golf, JBL, the Korean Pork Promotion Board and Kakao VX.

Oct. 26, 2026

Kim Jae-ho eyes back-to-back titles at Lexus Masters

Set record as oldest first-time winner on KPGA Tour last year 'Wrist condition not ideal, but I'll overcome it,' he says Kim Jae-ho, who claimed his first KPGA Tour victory 17 years after his debut, will return to the Lexus Masters as defending champion seeking back-to-back titles. The 44-year-old, who plays under the Wooseong General Construction banner, will tee off Thursday at the 2026 Lexus Masters, held over four days at Club72 Country Club's Ocean Course on Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Kim made his KPGA Tour debut in 2008 and broke through for his maiden win at last year's edition of the tournament, held at Ferum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on his 210th tour start. He finished regulation in a four-way tie with Choi Jin-ho, Hwang Jung-gon and Lee Yu-seok, then birdied the 18th hole — a par-5 — in a sudden-death playoff to claim the title. The victory made Kim, then 43 years and nine months old, the oldest first-time winner in KPGA Tour history. He also drew attention by wearing the uniform of his father, Kim Yong-hee, manager of the Lotte Giants' futures team in the Korea Baseball Organization. "After winning last year I threw myself into practice to keep performing well, but a wrist problem in the first half of this season left me frustrated," Kim said. "There's pressure that comes with being the defending champion, but I intend to overcome it and show everyone my best golf." This year's tournament moves to Club72's Ocean Course, a change from last year's venue. "Club72 is a wide, long course, so staying composed and playing smart will matter more than relying on power," Kim said. "I'll study the course carefully and prepare to put up a good score." Now in its third edition since its founding in 2024, the Lexus Masters carries a total purse of 1 billion won ($755,000), with a winner's share of 200 million won. The champion also receives a two-year KPGA Tour card and 1,000 Genesis Points.

Oct. 26, 2026

Volkanovski breaks title-fight win record, Yan defeats Dvalishvili again at UFC 333

Unbeaten Evloev stopped in Round 2 as Volkanovski claims ninth featherweight title-fight win Yan defends bantamweight title with unanimous decision over Dvalishvili, extends win streak to five Alexander Volkanovski of Australia stopped the previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev of Russia to set a new record for wins in UFC featherweight title fights. The featherweight champion finished Evloev by TKO via punches at 4 minutes 54 seconds of Round 2 in the main event of UFC 333 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). The victory gave Volkanovski nine wins in featherweight title fights, surpassing the previous record of eight held by Jose Aldo of Brazil. It also marked his second successful title defense since reclaiming the belt in 2025. His overall record now stands at 29-4. His opponent, the No. 1-ranked Evloev, entered the bout with a perfect 20-0 record. The wrestling-heavy Russian scored three takedowns in the first round, but Volkanovski rose each time and kept the fight on the feet. In Round 2, Volkanovski seized top position on the ground and took control. He stepped up his striking, landing a left hook and a right straight that dropped Evloev, and the referee stopped the fight as ground punches followed. After the fight, Volkanovski said, "There's a reason Evloev was unbeaten. But I said I was the right man to end that streak." Volkanovski again raised the prospect of a super fight against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (37, United States) as his next goal. "If the UFC gives me a shot at the lightweight title, I'll retire win or lose," he said, adding that he would relinquish the title even if he won. UFC President Dana White left the door open, saying it would be hard to turn down Volkanovski's request given his accomplishments. Gaethje's upcoming schedule and willingness to take the fight have yet to be confirmed, however. In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Petr Yan of Russia successfully made his first title defense, defeating Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47). Yan had lost to Dvalishvili in 2023 before avenging that defeat at UFC 323 last year. He won again Sunday, moving to 2-1 in their head-to-head series. Dvalishvili controlled the early rounds with striking and takedowns, but Yan turned the tide from Round 3, shutting down the takedown attempts and countering with body kicks and punches. The win extended Yan's streak to five and lifted his overall record to 21-5. He now has four wins in UFC bantamweight title fights, placing him joint second behind TJ Dillashaw's five. When asked about his next challenger, Yan said, "I'm the UFC champion — I don't pick opponents," adding that he was ready to fight anyone. No. 3-ranked bantamweight Song Yadong of China, who was in attendance, raised both fists when his name came up as a potential challenger. Former champion Sean O'Malley of the United States was also mentioned as a candidate.

Oct. 26, 2026

Sabalenka, Swiatek among 6 women's tennis stars to clash in Incheon at Christmas

Six of the world's top women's tennis players will face off in Incheon this Christmas in a high-stakes invitational tournament. Hyundai Card announced Monday that it will co-host "Hyundai Card Culture Project 32 Naver × Hyundai Card THE SIX" with Naver from Dec. 25 to 27 at Naver Arena at Inspire on Yeongjongdo, Incheon. The three-day invitational will feature six elite players competing across five matches for a total purse of $1.1 million. Tennis fans have taken keen interest in the event as a rare opportunity to watch multiple world-class players compete in Korea at the same time. The field is star-studded. Aryna Sabalenka, who has held the world No. 1 ranking for 99 consecutive weeks, headlines the lineup alongside Elena Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion in 2026, and Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner. They are joined by Naomi Osaka, the first Asian player — male or female — to reach world No. 1; Mirra Andreeva, the youngest women's singles champion at the French Open in the 21st century; and Jasmine Paolini, the women's doubles gold medalist at the Paris Olympics. The tournament opens Dec. 25 with two quarterfinal matches, followed by two semifinals on Dec. 26 and the final on Dec. 27. The top two seeds receive byes to the semifinals, while the remaining four players compete in the quarterfinals. Given the caliber of all six competitors, intense matches are expected from the opening day. Special fan programs are also planned. Customers who purchase tickets to all five matches between Tuesday and Nov. 30 will be entered into a draw for a chance to receive a one-point clinic — a personal coaching session with one of the competing players. On Dec. 24, the day before the tournament opens, a pre-event bringing together all six players and fans will be held at Vision Stage, an XR production studio inside Naver's 1784 headquarters. Ticket sales begin Tuesday at noon through Naver Reservations. Tickets will be available to Naver Plus membership holders and Hyundai Card members, with a 10 percent discount for purchases made with the Naver Hyundai Card. "This is a special opportunity to see in Korea the six players who represent the present and future of women's tennis," a Sema Sports Marketing official said. "We will deliver a new viewing experience through intense competition and a variety of programs where players connect with fans." Tickets are available on Naver's official booking page.

Oct. 26, 2026

Fighter who had heart surgery at 2 seeks back-to-back wins

Choi Ji-wun faces rising prospect Lee Je-seon at Road FC 079 on Sunday MMA fighter Choi Ji-wun (25), who was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent surgery at age two, is chasing back-to-back wins on the Road FC stage. Choi will face Lee Je-seon (19) in a lightweight bout at Road FC 079, set for Sunday at Jangchung Arena in Seoul. The fight comes roughly three months after Choi's victory at a DOMVS event in August. Choi was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition involving four simultaneous structural abnormalities in the heart that can impair the blood's ability to carry oxygen. He had corrective surgery at age two and has managed his health for more than 20 years since. Choi took up MMA as an elementary school student and honed his skills training alongside Road FC bantamweight champion Kim Su-cheol. After years of disciplined training and health management, he made his professional debut at Road FC in 2019. He has a tattoo on his chest covering the scar left by his childhood heart surgery — a mark he also regards as a symbol of the resolve he carried into his fighting career. After turning professional, Choi stepped away from competition for about three years to focus on his health and study abroad before returning last year. His upcoming opponent, Lee Je-seon, is a 19-year-old prospect. "I think Lee is a fighter who moves diligently and pays attention to the fundamentals," Choi said. "All of my wins have come by finish. I think a KO is possible in this fight too." Road FC 079 will also feature a performance by Eunha, Sinbi and Umji, former members of the K-pop girl group GFriend.

Oct. 26, 2026

Golfzon, Srixon to hold ZXi RKT Long Drive Match final Friday

16 qualifiers and 3 invited players to compete for 15 million won purse Golfzon announced Monday that it will co-host the Srixon ZXi RKT Long Drive Match final with Srixon at Golfzon Joimaru in Daejeon on Friday. The event, organized by Golfzon and sponsored by Srixon, carries a total purse of 15 million won ($11,300). A total of 19 players will compete in the final — the top 16 qualifiers by driving distance from the online qualifying rounds held Oct. 2–18, plus three invited players. The three invited players are Team Srixon professionals Kim Jun-nyeon, Lee Yong-hee and Shin Ji-eun. Lee is active on the Golfzon G Tour, while Shin has won multiple long-drive competitions. All rounds will be played using Srixon's ZXi RKT driver. The round of 19, beginning at 2 p.m. Friday, gives each player up to eight shots within a three-minute window, with the top eight advancing. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final follow from 6 p.m., with head-to-head matchplay format from the quarterfinals onward. The winner receives 5 million won and a Srixon ZXi RKT driver. The runner-up takes home 3 million won, and both third-place finishers receive 1.5 million won each. Golfzon will livestream every match from the round of 19 through the final on its official YouTube channel.

Oct. 26, 2026

Korea Racing Authority holds fair-racing pledge ceremony for industry officials

The Korea Racing Authority held a fair-racing pledge ceremony for industry officials at the Let's Run Park Seoul Jockeys' Association on Friday, the organization announced Monday. The event was organized to strengthen ethical awareness and accountability among racing officials and to prevent unfair conduct. Attendees received education on racing-related laws and regulations, as well as the sanctions that apply to misconduct. Participants particularly reviewed potential violations that could arise at the racetrack and examined the basic principles required for fair race operations. At the pledge ceremony that followed, officials committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and to taking a leading role in preventing unfair conduct, under the principle that "there are no exceptions when it comes to fair competition." The Korea Racing Authority said it plans to use the event as a springboard to strengthen field-focused prevention education and encourage racing officials to voluntarily embrace a culture of compliance. "Fairness is the most important value underpinning the racing industry and the starting point of customer trust," Korea Racing Authority Chairman Woo Hee-jong said. "We will do our utmost to ensure that everyone involved in racing upholds the value of fair competition and to create a racing environment that the public can trust and enjoy."

Oct. 26, 2026

Face-off goes too far: fighter punches rival at weigh-in, drawing blood in Japan

Sucker punch at weigh-in splits opponent's lip; last year's Breaking Down event left fighter unconscious with brain bleed A pre-fight face-off at a combat sports event in Japan has once again crossed the line from showmanship into assault, reigniting debate over how far fighters should be allowed to go before a bout even begins. At the official weigh-in for the kickboxing event Knock Out 69, held Thursday in Tokyo, Yamaguchi Yuma, 31, punched his opponent Hiroki, 29, in the face. After completing the weigh-in, the two fighters squared off forehead-to-forehead during the face-off. When Hiroki shoved Yamaguchi in the chest, Yamaguchi responded with a left-handed slap and then landed a straight right to Hiroki's face. Hiroki's lower lip split open and bled, and officials rushed in to separate the two. Organizers considered canceling the bout, but Hiroki's camp insisted he wanted to compete, and the event proceeded as scheduled. Yamaguchi was penalized two points before the opening bell and had part of his fight purse withheld. A special rule was also applied: if Yamaguchi won or the bout ended in a draw, the result would be declared void. The fight, held Friday, was ultimately stopped in the second round after an accidental clash of heads, and Hiroki was awarded a technical decision victory. All three judges had him ahead on their scorecards. Pre-fight provocations at press conferences and weigh-ins are a fixture of combat sports. Known as pre-fight antics, they serve a dual purpose: unsettling an opponent psychologically while generating buzz and drawing public attention. Heated verbal exchanges and intense face-offs appear regularly in promotional footage for both international promotions and domestic events in South Korea. Organizers position fighters close together, and the fighters themselves often escalate the atmosphere with profanity and threatening gestures. Shoving, grabbing and slapping sometimes follow. But landing a hard, unprotected punch to an opponent's face is a different matter entirely. When a fighter is injured before the contest even starts, what was meant to sell tickets ends up undermining both the fairness of the bout and the safety of the athletes. Japan saw a similar incident in December last year. At a public event held the day before Breaking Down 18, Eguchi Hibiki sucker-punched his opponent Ryu in the face. Ryu fell straight back, hit his head on the floor and lost consciousness. Ryu later said he had been diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the scheduled bout between the two was canceled. As public criticism mounted, Eguchi acknowledged wrongdoing and announced his retirement from combat sports. Trash talk and pre-fight theatrics have become an accepted part of combat sports culture. But when the line between orchestrated spectacle and actual violence breaks down, the cost falls on the fighters — in injuries and in the integrity of the sport itself. Critics say promoters bear a responsibility to ensure fighter safety at pre-fight events as well.

Oct. 26, 2026

Samsung face bullpen crisis heading into playoff without closer

Kim Jae-yun ruled out with injury; left-handed relievers also sidelined Manager Park Jin-man to manage without designated closer Samsung Lions face a major setback heading into their playoff series against the KIA Tigers, with closer Kim Jae-yun ruled out due to injury. The loss of the regular-season saves leader, compounded by the absence of several left-handed relievers, has left the team's late-inning pitching in disarray. Samsung open the best-of-five playoff series against KIA on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. The opener was originally scheduled for Sunday but was pushed back a day after rain from a typhoon forced a postponement. Samsung removed Kim from the playoff roster Saturday. An MRI confirmed muscle and fascia damage to the serratus anterior on his right side, along with bleeding along the fascia. The injury was classified as a grade-1 strain, and he was advised to rest for about two weeks. The serratus anterior runs in a serrated pattern from beneath the armpit along the ribs on the side of the torso. It connects to the inner surface of the shoulder blade, stabilizing and controlling its movement — a region that directly affects a pitcher's throwing motion. Kim appeared in 64 games this regular season, posting a 7-5 record with 35 saves and a 3.22 ERA to finish first in the saves category. The injury has ended his playoff run, and his availability for the Korean Series — should Samsung advance — remains uncertain. Samsung's concerns extend beyond Kim's absence. Baek Jeong-hyeon and left-hander Lee Seung-hyeon were also left off the playoff roster with latissimus dorsi and back injuries, respectively, leaving Lee Seung-min and Bae Chan-seung as the only left-handed relievers available. Manager Park Jin-man said he would not designate a single replacement closer, instead managing the bullpen situationally based on game flow and the opposing batting order. He identified Lee Seung-min as a key option for high-leverage situations. The burden on Samsung's starting pitchers has grown accordingly. Chris Flexen will take the mound for Game 1. He went 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 13 starts this season but struggled against KIA, going 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two outings against them. KIA will counter with James Naile, who finished the regular season 13-7 with a 3.49 ERA. He was particularly effective against Samsung, going 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts. Naile also pitched seven innings and allowed just one run to earn the win in Game 1 of the wild-card round against the LG Twins. On offense, Samsung are counting on the return of Koo Ja-wook. The batting champion, who hit .371 during the regular season, injured his left hamstring late last month and remains limited defensively but is able to hit. He was listed as the No. 3 designated hitter in the starting lineup announced Sunday. Veteran Choi Hyoung-woo, by contrast, was left out of the starting lineup — a decision driven by the need to slot Koo in as designated hitter and maintain defensive stability. Park plans to use Choi as a pinch hitter depending on how the game unfolds. Samsung and KIA have history with rain-disrupted postseason games. In Game 1 of the 2024 Korean Series, play was halted by rain in the top of the sixth inning with Samsung leading 1-0 and runners on first and second with no outs. When the game resumed two days later, KIA rallied for a 5-1 victory.

Oct. 26, 2026

Volkanovski destroys Evloev, calls out Gaethje for retirement superfight

TKO win sets new record for most featherweight title fight victories White open to Gaethje superfight UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (38, Australia) has again called for a joint retirement bout against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (37, United States) after defeating unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev (32, Russia). The vision of capping his career in style — while making another run at a second divisional title — has consumed him both before and after the victory. Volkanovski stopped Evloev by TKO via punches at 4 minutes and 54 seconds of the second round in the UFC 333 main event featherweight title fight, held Sunday (Korean Standard Time) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The win handed Evloev the first professional loss of his career, leaving Volkanovski with an overall record of 29 wins and 4 losses. Evloev, who had been riding a 20-fight winning streak, fell to 20-1. The victory gave Volkanovski nine wins in UFC featherweight title fights, surpassing Jose Aldo of Brazil to claim the all-time record outright in that category. He also maintained a share of first place with Aldo for featherweight title defenses at seven. His title fight win total exceeds his defense count by two because he lost the belt to Ilia Topuria once before reclaiming it. At the post-fight press conference, Volkanovski named a superfight with Gaethje as his next goal. Floating the idea of both fighters meeting and retiring together, he said, "That's a fight I could retire from. If I get that opportunity, win or lose, I'll retire." He also indicated that even if he were to capture the lightweight title, he would relinquish it immediately so as not to disrupt the competitive opportunities of younger fighters. A shot at the lightweight championship has long been Volkanovski's ambition. He previously challenged for the lightweight title twice against Islam Makhachev of Russia, losing both times. A bout with Gaethje would mark his third attempt at lightweight gold. UFC President Dana White, speaking at the post-fight press conference, left the door wide open to the superfight, saying of Volkanovski's proposal: "There's not a lot we can say no to when you think about what he's accomplished." Volkanovski also said he would be willing to challenge for the lightweight title even if Arman Tsarukyan of Armenia became champion instead of Gaethje. He added, however, that he has no desire to strip existing contenders of their opportunities or delay the title picture. Gaethje, for his part, is in no rush to respond. After defeating Ilia Topuria of Georgia and Spain in June to become the unified lightweight champion, he announced he had no plans to compete again this year, citing injury recovery. Gaethje can afford to take his time — tending to his physical and mental recovery while watching how the lightweight title picture develops — rather than immediately answering Volkanovski's call. It is reasonable to expect he could wait until the first half of next year before deciding whether to return and, if so, against whom. Volkanovski, too, has no intention of retiring immediately if the Gaethje fight does not materialize. He plans to continue defending the featherweight title and will make decisions about his career on a fight-by-fight basis.

Oct. 26, 2026

Butterfield Bermuda Championship cut to 54 holes by wind; playoff set for Monday

Smotherman, Power tied for lead; playoff to decide winner Noh Seung-yul finishes tied for 17th at 10 under par The PGA Tour's Butterfield Bermuda Championship ($6 million purse) was reduced to a 54-hole event after strong winds forced the cancellation of the final round. Austin Smotherman of the United States and Seamus Power of Ireland, who share the lead, will settle the title in a playoff. The PGA Tour announced Monday (Korean Standard Time) that the fourth and final round, scheduled at Port Royal Golf Course (par 71) in Southampton, Bermuda, had been canceled, with three-round scores standing as the official final results. Gusts exceeding 65 kilometers per hour battered the course Sunday, making normal play impossible. Tournament organizers adjusted the schedule — including moving up tee times — but conditions did not improve and the round was called off. None of the 72 players who made the cut were able to start the fourth round. With more severe weather forecast for the following day, the PGA Tour decided to conclude the event on 54 holes rather than the standard 72. Smotherman and Power, however, finished the three rounds in a dead heat at 16 under par (197), and a playoff will determine the champion. The playoff was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Monday (Korean Standard Time), subject to change depending on weather conditions. Smotherman carded a 5-under-par 66 in the third round, while Power shot a 4-under-par 67, as both moved to the top of the leaderboard. Smotherman, who claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Bank of Utah Championship earlier this month, is seeking his second career title. Power won this event in 2022 and is chasing his third career win and a return to the top four years later. Noh Seung-yul, the only South Korean in the field, closed with a 2-under-par 69 in the third round — featuring an eagle, a birdie and a bogey — to finish at 10 under par (203) in a tie for 17th place.

Oct. 26, 2026

Kim Bo-mi wins first LPBA title after 7 years, creating father-daughter champion duo

Rallies from 0-3 down to beat Im Jeong-suk 4-3 in final 'There were times I hated billiards and wanted to quit' Father Kim Byeong-ho also won PBA title in inaugural season Kim Bo-mi (27, NH NongHyup Card) claimed her first LPBA title on Sunday, seven years after turning professional. Her father, Kim Byeong-ho (53), is also a PBA champion, making them the first father-daughter pair to hold titles in the men's and women's tours. Kim defeated Im Jeong-suk (Crown Haitai) 4-3 in sets (4-11, 10-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-2, 9-5) in the LPBA final of the 2026-2027 season's fifth tour event — the "Jigeum Jal Saneun Bangbeop ZGM NH NongHyup Card PBA-LPBA Championship" — held at the PBA Stadium in Kintex, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Im had looked on course for a sixth career title. She won the first set 11-4 on the strength of a seven-point run in the second inning, then came from 2-10 down to take the second 11-10, and closed out the third 11-4 to lead 3-0. But Kim fought back from the brink. She took the fourth set 11-9 and the fifth 11-8 to pull level at 3-2, then dominated the sixth — scoring nine points in the opening inning alone — to win it 11-2 and level the match. In the deciding seventh set, Kim led from the start and closed out a stunning comeback with a 9-5 victory. Kim, who debuted when the professional billiards league launched in the 2019-2020 season, finally tasted victory in her 63rd tour event over seven years and four months as a pro. She had reached the final three times before, finishing runner-up on each occasion, but prevailed on her fourth attempt. She is the 19th different champion in LPBA history. The victory made Kim Bo-mi and her father Kim Byeong-ho the first father-daughter pair to win PBA and LPBA titles. Kim Byeong-ho won the "Welcome Savings Bank WelBank PBA Championship" in the 2019-2020 inaugural season of the professional tour. His daughter lifted the women's trophy roughly six years and nine months after he claimed the men's title. Speaking immediately after her win, Kim reflected on a difficult journey. "There were times I really hated billiards and thought about quitting," she said. "This victory feels like a reward for all the training and hard work I've put in up to now. I'm truly happy." Kim took home prize money of 40 million won ($30,200) and 20,000 ranking points, vaulting from 24th to third place in the season standings with 23,800 points. The "Welcome Top Ranking" award, given to the player with the highest average at the tournament, went to Han Seul-gi, who posted an average of 2.273 in the round of 64. She received prize money of 2 million won. The men's PBA semifinals and final take place Monday, the last day of the tournament. Lee Sang-dae faces David Martinez of Spain at 12:30 p.m., followed by Jo Geon-hwi against Antonio Montes of Spain at 3:30 p.m., with the two winners meeting in the final at 9 p.m. The men's champion will receive prize money of 100 million won.

Oct. 26, 2026

Japan's Yoshida claims maiden LPGA title with stunning comeback; Ryu, Choi share runner-up

Yoshida Yuri of Japan overcame a four-stroke deficit to win the BMW Ladies Championship, South Korea's only LPGA Tour event. Playing in the rain Sunday at Pine Beach Golf Links (par 72) in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, Yoshida carded a 4-under-par 68 in the final round to finish at 17-under 271, edging joint runners-up Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin by one stroke. The victory was Yoshida's first on the LPGA Tour, earning her a winner's check of $352,500. Starting the final round four shots behind leader Ryu, Yoshida ignited her charge with a 15-yard chip-in eagle on the par-5 second hole. She then reeled off three consecutive birdies on holes 5 through 7 — including a chip-in birdie on the par-4 fifth — to move into the lead. Yoshida gave back a share of the lead when she bogeyed the par-3 15th after a wayward tee shot, drawing level with Ryu, but she reclaimed the outright lead with a 1.2-meter birdie on the par-5 17th. A bogey on the par-4 18th, however, meant she finished in a tie for the lead and waited in the clubhouse. Ryu, who was chasing her third win of the season, was undone by the final three holes. She recovered from a bogey on the par-4 16th with a 1.3-meter birdie on the par-5 17th, only to bogey the 18th and miss her chance to force a playoff. Choi Hye-jin also fell agonizingly short. She had a 2-meter birdie putt on the 18th that would have sent the round to a playoff, but the ball lipped out for par, leaving her with a runner-up finish for the second consecutive week. Choi finished with four birdies and one bogey for a 3-under round. Kim Hyo-joo closed with six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under 68, finishing at 15-under 273 to share fourth place with Kim Min-sol. Kim Min-sol posted a bogey-free 5-under 67, carding five birdies without a dropped shot. Japan's Hataoka Nasa fired the day's best round, a 6-under 66, to finish at 14-under 274 and share sixth place with Grace Kim of Australia and Carlota Ciganda of Spain, among others. Kim Min-seon shot a 2-under 70 to finish at 13-under 275 and claim sole 10th place. Park Min-ji, however, dropped a shot on the day to finish at 12-under 276, falling into a tie for 11th.

Oct. 25, 2026

Seoul finishes 3rd at National Sports Festival with 343 medals

Mountain climbing, basketball claim 4 consecutive titles; Seoul produces 26 multi-event champions Swimmer Lee Won wins four golds; meet records set in men's under-18 400m individual medley Seoul City Hall sports club captures 46 medals across 18 events The Seoul delegation finished third overall at the 107th National Sports Festival, collecting 343 medals, including 109 golds. Mountain climbing and basketball claimed their fourth consecutive overall titles, while the swimming program produced a four-event champion and new meet records, demonstrating the city's competitive depth across a wide range of sports. Athletes from high school prospects to professional club players all contributed, reaffirming the strength of Seoul's athletic foundation. The Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council announced that the Seoul delegation recorded a combined score of 54,186 points at the festival, held across Jeju Special Self-Governing Province from Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, to finish third in the overall standings. Seoul fielded a delegation of 2,156 people across 50 sports — 1,480 athletes and 676 officials. Over the course of the week, the team collected 109 gold medals, 103 silvers and 131 bronzes, confirming the city's standing among the nation's top-performing delegations. Consistent strength in key sports was a defining feature of the games. Mountain climbing and basketball each claimed their fourth consecutive overall title, again establishing themselves as Seoul's signature disciplines. Fencing and fin swimming also defended their titles for a second straight year, maintaining steady performances. Modern pentathlon and taekwondo joined the list of overall champions, bringing Seoul's total to six sports titles. The city also finished runner-up in nine sports, including swimming, badminton and archery. Placing near the top across multiple disciplines — rather than dominating in just a few — was a key factor in the third-place overall finish. Individual performances also stood out. Lee Won of Seoul Sports High School was the most decorated athlete, winning four gold medals in the women's under-18 swimming events. With strong showings across multiple sports, the Seoul delegation produced a total of 26 multi-event champions — one four-event champion, four three-event champions and 21 two-event champions. New meet records were also set. On the final day of competition, Won Jun of Bangsan High School and Lee In-seo of Gyeonggi High School each broke the meet record in the men's under-18 400-meter individual medley, taking gold and silver respectively. The two athletes setting new marks in the same event back-to-back highlighted the competitiveness of Seoul's swimming program and the potential of its next-generation athletes. The Seoul City Hall sports club also contributed to the overall result. A contingent of 142 people — 24 coaches and 118 athletes — competed across 18 sports and won 46 medals: 17 golds, 14 silvers and 15 bronzes. The club athletes' performances bolstered the delegation's medal haul while underscoring the importance of a strong professional sports development infrastructure. Building on the results, the Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council plans to conduct a detailed analysis of performance by sport and continue refining its athlete development and support systems. The council will strengthen cooperation with relevant organizations to ensure athletes can improve their skills in a stable environment, with particular attention to training conditions and support needs raised at the field level. Identifying talented athletes and providing systematic development pathways will also be a priority. The council will support promising high school athletes in maintaining their competitiveness as they move into senior competition, and will work to create training environments tailored to the characteristics of each sport. Kim Seong-beom, secretary general of the Seoul Metropolitan Sports Council and head coach of the delegation, said the four consecutive overall titles in mountain climbing and basketball, along with 26 multi-event champions, were "achievements made possible by the dedication of athletes, coaches and all those involved." He added that the council would "continue to reflect the voices from the field, improve training conditions, and strengthen support for developing elite athletes and raising performance levels."

Oct. 25, 2026

Yoshida claims maiden LPGA title as Ryu squanders four-shot lead

Choi Hye-jin also finishes at 16 under, runner-up for second straight week Yoshida: 'I don't think I could pull off that pitching wedge on 17 again' Ryu Hae-ran could not protect a four-shot lead and finished runner-up at the LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship, which carried a purse of $2.35 million. Ryu carded one birdie and two bogeys for a 1-over-par 73 in the final round Sunday at Pine Beach Golf Links (par 72) in Haenam-gun, South Jeolla Province. Her total of 16-under-par 272 left her tied for second with Choi Hye-jin. Yoshida Yuri of Japan claimed the title at 17-under-par 271. Ryu, who had already won two majors this season — the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship — was chasing a third victory, but dropped shots on the final day and fell just short. Ryu had entered the day as the sole leader, four strokes clear of the joint second-place group, but struggled with her accuracy off the tee. Yoshida, starting four back, quickly erased the deficit — holing a chip-in eagle on the par-5 second hole and then making three consecutive birdies on holes five through seven to move ahead of Ryu. Ryu, who had been playing steady par golf, made a bogey on the par-4 16th after her tee shot found the trees in the right penalty zone. Yoshida then extended her lead to two strokes over Ryu and Choi by sticking a bunker shot to within 1.2 meters on the par-5 17th for birdie. Ryu answered with a birdie of her own on the same hole, holing out from 80 centimeters after her own bunker shot. Yoshida then three-putted the par-4 18th for bogey, pulling the two players level again. But Ryu's hopes unraveled on the same hole: her tee shot ran up a mound beside the cart path on the left, and her second found a bunker. She reached the green with her third but two-putted for bogey, letting the title slip away. Choi also came up short on the final hole, her birdie putt from about three meters grazing the cup before sliding past. She finished the day at 3-under-par 69 and tied for second. The result gave Choi runner-up finishes in back-to-back weeks, following her second-place finish at last week's Buick LPGA Shanghai. Her first LPGA Tour victory will have to wait. Yoshida, who made her LPGA Tour debut in 2024, claimed her first tour victory in her 74th start. The winner's share came to $352,500. At her post-round press conference, Yoshida recalled her 2023 World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup victory on the Japan LPGA Tour, when she also prevailed in difficult weather, beating Shin Ji-yai by three strokes. "On rainy days, I focus more on carry distance than roll," she said. On the pivotal bunker shot at the 17th, she laughed and said, "I hit a pitching wedge from 48 yards — I don't think I could pull that off again even if I tried." Kim Min-sol, who competes on the KLPGA Tour, fired a 5-under-par 67 on Sunday to finish at 15-under-par 273, tying for fourth with Kim Hyo-joo. She posted the best result among the KLPGA Tour players in the field. Kim Min-sun 7 finished 10th outright at 13-under-par 275, while Park Min-ji tied for 11th at 12-under-par 276.

Oct. 25, 2026