S. Korean Hur Mi-jung wins Ladies Scottish Open

South Korean Hur Mi-jung has captured the Ladies Scottish Open in her third LPGA win in five years.The 29-year-old shot a 20-under 264 to win the four-round tournament on Sunday (local time). Hur shot a five-under 66 on the last day to edge out Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn and South Korean Lee Jeong-eun, who tied for second place, at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick in Scotland.The win was Hur's third career title on the LPGA Tour.She picked up a check for $225,000. (Yonhap)

GolfAug. 12, 2019

[Weekender] Finding balance on fast and furious water

Trying to stand on ferociously turbulent water is definitely an effective way to get an adrenaline rush. And indoor facilities allow enthusiasts to experience that all year round, amid the growing popularity of surfing here.  “In South Korea, it is hard to surf. Japan blocks the waves, so beaches do not really pick up swells. Given this, indoor surfing can be a nice option,” said Lee Sang-jun, who manages Flow House Yongin, an indoor surfing facility, at the Lotte Premium Outlet

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

[Weekender] Flying above the water

On a heat-soaked afternoon in Seoul, the placid waters of the Han River suddenly burst with energy. A figure mounted on top of what looks like a futuristic water-propelled jet pack performs energetic and acrobatic feats above the water -- just like the Iron Man. This is flyboarding, the latest water sport to hit the Han River in South Korea. Perfect for thrill-loving adventurers, it is fun, exhilarating and, according to pro rider Park Jin-min, safe and easy. “It is a misunderstanding

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

[Newsmaker] Olympic short track champion Lim Hyo-jun banned for 1 year for sexually harassing male teammate

Olympic short track speed skating champion Lim Hyo-jun has been suspended for one year for sexually harassing a male teammate. The Korea Skating Union reached the decision Thursday evening, saying Lim, who won a gold medal in the men's 1,500m at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, will be banned from all skating-related activities until Aug. 7, 2020.During training on June 17, Lim pulled down the pants of a younger teammate with female skaters present at Jincheon National Training Center in Ji

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

Police raid company behind Ronaldo saga

Seoul police on Thursday raided a marketing company behind a controversy surrounding football star Cristiano Ronaldo's absence in a recent match.Seoul Suseo Police Station said they raided the office of TheFasta starting around 10 a.m. Thursday. Police are investigating charges of fraud against TheFasta, which organized an exhibition match between Ronaldo's Juventus and a team of K League All-Stars on July 26. On Monday, police placed one unidentified official involved in the controversy on trav

SoccerAug. 8, 2019

S. Korean Ji So-yun signs extension with Chelsea FC Women

South Korean international stalwart Ji So-yun has agreed to an extension with Chelsea FC Women, committing to stay with the English club until 2022.Chelsea announced on its website on Wednesday (local time) that Ji, who joined the Blues in 2014, will be around for three more seasons.The 28-year-old midfielder has netted 56 goals in 136 appearances for Chelsea FC Women. Ji helped the club to the FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Cup titles in both 2015 and 2018.Last season, Ji scored nine ti

SoccerAug. 8, 2019

Phil Mickelson commits to S. Korea's lone PGA Tour event

Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson has committed to playing in the lone PGA Tour stop in South Korea this fall.Mickelson, who ranks ninth all time with 44 PGA Tour wins, will play at the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges from Oct. 17-20 at the Club at Nine Bridges on the resort island of Jeju, the local tournament organizers announced Tuesday. This will be Mickelson's first appearance in South Korea since the Presidents Cup held in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, in Oct. 2015. The American star t

GolfAug. 6, 2019

S. Korean An Byeong-hun finishes 2 shots short of 1st PGA win

Hurt by wayward tee shots down the stretch, South Korean An Byeong-hun has come up two strokes short of his first PGA Tour title.An finished alone in third place at the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Sunday (local time), after a final round of 67 at the par-70 course. He shot a 20-under 260 for four days, two behind the champion, JT Poston.An led after each of the first three rounds, and took a one-stroke advantage over Webb Simpson and Brice Ga

GolfAug. 5, 2019

N. Korea intends to host World Cup qualifier vs. S. Korea

North Korea has expressed its intention to hold a World Cup qualifier with South Korea in Pyongyang, the South's football governing body said.According to the Korea Football Association on Friday, the North Korean football federation sent a document to the Asian Football Confederation saying it will host the match at Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 15. In a draw for the AFC second round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification held last month, South Korea and North Korea were p

SoccerAug. 2, 2019

K League demand apology from Juventus for 'disappointing' exhibition match

South Korea's pro football governing body, the K League, on Thursday demanded Juventus FC apologize for breach of contract for benching Cristiano Ronaldo in an exhibition match in Seoul last week.Earlier this week, the K League sent a letter of protest to the Italian football club over its irresponsible conduct during the friendly held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Friday.The game between Juventus and the K League All-Stars ended in a 3-3 draw, but it caused angry reactions from South Korean fan

SoccerAug. 1, 2019

Portuguese coach in S. Korea says Ronaldo didn't play in exhibition match due to fatigue

Jose Morais, the Portuguese football coach who guided the K League All-Star team in an exhibition match against Juventus FC last week, said Wednesday that Cristiano Ronaldo didn't play due to fatigue from a tight schedule. Some 63,000 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium went home Friday feeling disappointment and anger after Ronaldo failed to play in a 3-3 draw between Juventus and All-Stars from the South Korean pro football league. The non-appearance of 34-year-old Juventus forward caused a huge b

SoccerJuly 31, 2019

TheFasta CEO says Juventus apologized for Ronaldo no-show, still feels betrayed

The CEO of TheFasta, the local agency in charge of the exhibition match between Juventus and South Korean league All-Stars team, said her Italian counterpart had apologized to the agency about Cristiano Ronaldo’s benching.During an interview with local media outlet Sports Seoul, Robin Jang, TheFasta’s CEO, said she was able to reach Juventus’ project manager on Saturday and received an apology. According to the newspaper’s reporting, Jang quoted the manager as s

SoccerJuly 29, 2019

[Newsmaker] S. Korean Ko Jin-young wins Evian Championship for 2nd career LPGA major

South Korean Ko Jin-young has captured the Evian Championship for her second career LPGA major title, booking a return to the top of the world rankings in the process.Ko won the fourth major tournament of the 2019 season at 15-under 269 at the par-71 Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Sunday, beating three players, including fellow Korean Kim Hyo-joo, by two strokes.Jennifer Kupcho of the United States and Feng Shanshan of China also finished at 13-under.This is Ko's fifth LPG

GolfJuly 29, 2019

[Gwangju 2019] FINA calls athletes' podium protests 'unfortunate'

The international swimming governing body on Sunday said athletes' podium protests against a fellow swimmer facing doping allegations at the world championships were "unfortunate."Cornel Marculescu, executive director of FINA, also said FINA is one of the world's leading sports organizations in the fight against doping, trying to dispel notions that it's more concerned about controlling athletes' behavior than the use of performance-enhancing substances in the sport. "We're here t

More SportsJuly 28, 2019

[Gwangju 2019] Chief organizer says Gwangju Worlds have been a success

The top organizer of the 2019 FINA World Championships in South Korea said Sunday that the 17-day aquatics competition have been successful in terms of performances and financial efficiency."After two weeks of an outstanding aquatics show, the 2019 Gwangju World Championships have finished the 17th day of competition," Lee Yong-sup, head of the organizing committee, said in a press conference.He said FINA, the international swimming governing body, recognizes the Gwangju championships

More SportsJuly 28, 2019

Juventus accused of breach of contract for benching Ronaldo in Seoul exhibition

Italian football champions Juventus breached an agreement when they benched superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in an exhibition match against South Korean league All-Stars, a local organizer of the match claimed Saturday.Some 63,000 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium went home disappointed Friday night, as Ronaldo did not play in a 3-3 draw between Juventus and K League All-Stars. TheFasta, the agency responsible for the event with Juventus, released a statement Saturday claiming that it didn't know about

SoccerJuly 28, 2019

[Gwangju Swimming] 2 Americans break world records in swimming

Two American swimmers broke world records at the world championships on Friday.First was Caeleb Dressel winning the men's 100m butterfly semis at the FINA World Championships in 49.50. Dressel topped Michael Phelps' 10-year-old record by 0.32. Minutes later, Regan Smith set a new world record in the women's 200m backstroke, winning the semifinals at 2:03.35. The previous record, set by Missy Franklin of the United States in 2012, was 2:04.06.Smith, 17, had set the junior world record in thi

More SportsJuly 26, 2019

[Gwangju Swimming] US pulls off three-peat in women's water polo

GWANGJU -- The United States captured its third straight world title in women's water polo on Friday, defeating Spain 11-6 to cap off an undefeated run to the top.The US became the first team in FINA World Championships history to win three consecutive women's water polo titles. Friday's game was a rematch of the 2017 final, when the Americans prevailed 13-6. The US never trailed in the match that was held on a day of heavy downpours.The US led 3-1 after the opening quarter. Spain pulled ev

More SportsJuly 26, 2019

[Photo News] Ronaldo arrives in Seoul for match with Korean All-Stars

Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo landed at Incheon Airport on Friday afternoon. He will be leading Juventus in an exhibition match against the K League All-Star team, slated to take place at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m.Hundreds of soccer fans waited at the airport to welcome the 34-year-old Portuguese player, who last visited Seoul in July 2007 for an exhibition match with Manchester United. By Choi Ji-won (jwc@heraldcorp.com)

SoccerJuly 26, 2019

[Gwangju Swimming] Water polo stars hope sport will grow after 1st world championships victory

Sometimes, all it takes is one moment to spark wider interest in a sport. And South Korean men's water polo players are hoping that theirs came Tuesday with their first world championships victory.South Korea defeated New Zealand 17-16 after four quarters of regulation and a penalty shootout at the FINA World Championships.It was South Korea's first victory at the biennial competition. "I hope our performance here will help grow water polo at the grassroots level," said captain Lee Seo

More SportsJuly 23, 2019