S. Korean Woo Ha-ram advances to final in men's 1m springboard diving

South Korean diver Woo Ha-ram advanced to the final in the men's 1m springboard at the 2019 FINA World Championships on Friday, raising hopes for the host country's first medal in the event. Woo finished third among 44 divers with 396.10 points after six attempts in the preliminary at Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center to qualify for the final, open to the top 12 divers in the preliminary.Fellow South Korean Kim Yeong-nam placed 13th with 349.10 points.The final will begin at 3:30 p.m. S

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] What to watch out for at FINA World Championships

The 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships kick off a 17-day run in the southwestern city of Gwangju, Friday, a biennial meet of the world’s swimming and diving stars. Taking place at five different venues in Gwangju and nearby Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, through July 28, this year’s event is the largest ever, with 2,639 athletes from 194 countries participating. Here are some of the interesting storylines to follow.  A prelude to 2020 Tokyo Olympics With a year to go until th

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] Expect faster swims at Yeosu open-water races

It is quite a spectacle to watch dozens of athletes jump into the ocean at once and swim to the horizon.   Open-water swimming, the long-distance sport that takes place in outdoor bodies of water, gained recognition as an official Olympic sport in 2008 and will also be one of the six disciplines at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships. In much-anticipated races, men and women will compete in separate courses of 5, 10 and 25 kilometers, as well as a 5-kilometer mixed team rel

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] Old apartments reborn as athletes’ village

Once a run-down housing complex, the athletes’ village in Gwangju’s western district of Gwangsan is now a vivacious mini globe, bustling with thousands of athletes, staff and media members during the FINA World Aquatics Championships. Rebuilt by Gwangju-based constructor Jungheung, the complex comprises 25 apartment buildings with 15 to 25 floors and a host of facilities for its diverse population to mingle and relax, spanning a land area of 94,131 square meters.  With a total o

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] Global stars poised to make a splash in Gwangju

The 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships bring together the world’s top talent in swimming, diving and other water sports for the 17-day sporting event. Over 2,600 athletes from 194 countries will compete for 76 gold medals in six disciplines -- swimming, diving, high diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and water polo. Here are some of the international athletes to watch out for. Katie Ledecky (Swimming, US) At the 2012 London Olympics, then-15-year-old Ledecky won her fi

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

Festival heating up Gwangju with music, culture on eve of FINA

On the eve of the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships, which kick off in Gwangju on Friday, the host city is holding a cultural festival.According to the city government and the organizing committee for the international event, the festival will take place in the Geumnam-ro area, about 30 minutes from the Nambu University campus, the main venue of the competition. Street markets and activities to get the local residents and tourists involved and create a festive atmosphere got started at 4 p.

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

S. Korea eyes medal with largest-yet delegation at World Aquatic Championships

South Korean swimmers are shooting for the country’s 1st medal since 2011 in the upcoming 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships, to kick off Friday in Gwangju. On its home turf, the country is sending its largest-ever team to the championship with 82 athletes, 29 in swimming, eight in diving, 26 in water polo, 11 in artistic swimming and eight in open water swimming. One star who will not be joining the team is Park Tae-hwan, the first and only swimmer in the country’s history to ha

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

Gwangju raises curtain on FINA World Championships

World-class swimmers have arrived, tickets are almost sold out, safety precautions have been taken, and venues have been prepared as Gwangju puts the finishing touches on hosting the FINA World Championships 2019, slated for kick off on Friday to be continued until July 28.The entries for this year’s event closed last week with 2,639 athletes from 194 countries throwing in their hats to compete under the slogan “Dive into Peace.” They will be vying for 76 gold medals across six

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

[Weekender] High diving: Plunging 27 meters in 3 seconds

Just the sight of a makeshift diving platform standing 27 meters tall beside a round pool of water is enough to give viewers goose bumps. Imagine athletes performing a death-defying plunge, doing somersaults and twists before hitting the water feet first. No wonder high diving has drawn the most attention from spectators during the 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, selling out 6,500 tickets in total. The organizing committee will add more tickets for high diving, al

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

[Weekender] Gwangju hopes to become ‘city of water sports’ via FINA championships: mayor

GWANGJU -- Gwangju Metropolitan City is well known as the site of the May 1980 Democratization Movement and a “city of gastronomy” for its savory dishes. The southwestern city is now poised to become a “city of water sports” as it hosts the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships.With a record 72,000 people -- professional and amateur athletes, members of the media and related officials -- from 193 countries participating, the 18th biennial championships look set to bolste

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

Olympic speed skating champion Lee Seung-hoon suspended for 1 yr over assault allegations

Two-time Olympic speed skating gold medalist Lee Seung-hoon has been suspended for a year over allegations of physically assaulting teammates.The Korea Skating Union announced its penalty on the 31-year-old on Tuesday, saying it had gathered sufficient testimony from witnesses to conclude that Lee assaulted two younger teammates on multiple occasions.Lee may appeal the decision with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. Assault allegations against Lee first surfaced in May last year followin

SportsJuly 9, 2019

Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-jin 'honored' to start MLB All-Star Game

For Los Angeles Dodgers' left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin, getting to start this week's All-Star Game in Cleveland isn't just a big deal for himself."Starting the All-Star Game is an honor for my family, and I think it's going to be a special day back home in South Korea," Ryu said at a press conference at Huntington Convention Center on Monday, the eve of the Midsummer Classic. "It's definitely a great occasion. This feels like being in the postseason, because starting pitchers get to si

BaseballJuly 9, 2019

Gyeongnam FC terminate contract with ex-Premier Leaguer Mutch

South Korean football club Gyeongnam FC have cut ties with former Premier Leaguer Jordon Mutch.The K League 1 team said Sunday that they have terminated their one-year deal with the 27-year-old English midfielder, citing Mutch's failure to make an adequate transition on and off the field.Mutch, who previously played for Birmingham City, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, signed with Gyeongnam in February. But he only played eight matches and netted one go

SoccerJuly 7, 2019

Over 2,600 athletes to compete at swimming world championships in S. Korea

More than 2,600 athletes from 194 countries will compete at the upcoming world swimming championships in South Korea.The organizing committee for the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, announced Sunday that 2,639 athletes across six disciplines will take part in the July 12-28 competition. Registration closed last Wednesday.They will be vying for 76 gold medals in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving.With 8

More SportsJuly 7, 2019

Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-jin wins final start of 1st half

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Ryu Hyun-jin has wrapped up a terrific first half of the season with a long-awaited victory.The South Korean left-hander shut down the San Diego Padres over six innings at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday (local time), holding them to three singles while striking out five. The Dodgers went on to win 5-1.He improved to 10-2 for the season to reach win No. 10 on his fifth try and lowered his major league-best ERA from 1.83 to 1.73. Now in his sixth season, with

BaseballJuly 5, 2019

Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-jin expected to start 1st All-Star Game

In the midst of an outstanding season, Los Angeles Dodgers' South Korean starter Ryu Hyun-jin is expected to start the All-Star Game next week in his Midsummer Classic debut.Ryu was announced as one of 12 pitchers for the National League All-Star squad by Major League Baseball on Sunday (local time). The All-Star Game will be played on July 9 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.And Dave Roberts, Ryu's manager with the Dodgers who will be the NL skipper at the All-Star Game, told reporters, "I

BaseballJuly 1, 2019

S. Korean Park Sung-hyun captures 7th career LPGA title, set to reclaim No. 1 ranking

South Korean star Park Sung-hyun has reached lucky No. 7 in her LPGA career win total and will reclaim the No. 1 spot in the world rankings.Park won the 54-hole Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers, Arkansas, on Sunday (local time), at 18-under 195, beating three golfers by one shot and earning $300,000.Park fired a final round of five-under 66 at the Pinnacle Country Club for her second victory of 2019. Two fellow South Koreans -- Park In-bee and Kim Hyo-joo -- were among the runners-up.

GolfJuly 1, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo to visit S. Korea in July for exhibition match

Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Juventus in a summer exhibition match in Seoul.The K League, which governs professional football in South Korea, announced Wednesday its All-Star team will host the Italian Serie A champions at 8 p.m. on July 26 at Seoul World Cup Stadium.Ronaldo last visited South Korea in July 2007 for an exhibition match with Manchester United. Ronaldo scored one goal and set up two others to led Man United over FC Seoul 4-0 then. The 34-year-old Portuguese sta

SoccerJune 19, 2019

Pro football enjoys significant jump in attendance

South Korean football is at a fever pitch.The K League 1, the country‘s top pro football circuit, has enjoyed a 53.1 percent increase in average attendance compared to a year ago, data showed Tuesday.The K League said that through the first 16 matches this season, the 12 clubs have averaged 8,408 fans per game, compared to 5,492 fans per match after the same number of matches a year ago.Daegu FC have been the driving force. They have drawn 10,397 fans per match at DGB Daegu Bank Park, up f

SoccerJune 18, 2019

Runner-up S. Korea feted before fans in Seoul

Players and coaches of the South Korean men's under-20 football team were feted in front of fans in the nation's capital Monday for their unexpected run to second place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.Coached by Chung Jung-yong, South Korea reached the championship final of the biennial youth tournament for the first time. They lost to Ukraine 3-1 on Saturday, but they were still greeted warmly by hundreds of fans at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, earlier Monday. Later in the

SoccerJune 17, 2019