Former judo chief to run for KOC post

South Korea’s top former judo official on Wednesday declared his candidacy for the country’s highest sports job, vowing to use his administrative experience to strengthen the foundation for elite sports in the country.Kim Jung-haeng, former head of the Korea Judo Association, said he will run for the chairmanship of the Korean Olympic Committee. He is currently one of three vice chairmen of the KOC.The former national judo team star is trying to become the first ex-athlete to head the KOC in the

More SportsFeb. 6, 2013

Special Olympics World Winter Games conclude after eight-day run in PyeongChang

PYEONGCHANG (Yonhap News) – The 10th Special Olympics World Winter Games wrapped up Tuesday in PyeongChang, after eight days of celebrating the dreams and hopes of those with intellectual disabilities, and urging the international community to help improve the lives of the intellectually disabled.The closing ceremony kicked off at 7 p.m. at Yongpyong Dome in PyeongChang, about 180 kilometers east of Seoul. More than 3,000 athletes and officials from 106 countries took part in this year's event,

More SportsFeb. 5, 2013

Despite blackout, city ‘terrific’

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ― The blackout at the Superdome will not stop the Super Bowl from returning to New Orleans.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that despite the electrical outage which delayed Sunday night’s game for 34 minutes, the city did a “terrific” job hosting its first pro football championship in the post-Katrina era.“Let me reiterate again what an extraordinary job the city of New Orleans has done,” said Goodell, speaking Monday at a post-Super Bowl media conference held for the game’s

More SportsFeb. 5, 2013

Nadal’s knee may bother him for a few weeks

VINA DEL MAR, Chile (AP) ― Rafael Nadal’s ailing left knee may still bother him for a few more weeks, his coach said Monday.Nadal practiced for 90 minutes with Nicolas Massu of Chile on Monday, his fourth straight day of training since arriving in the country for his first match in more than seven months.Nadal opens up Tuesday in the VTR Open, playing doubles with Argentina’s Juan Monaco. On Wednesday, he will play singles in the second round against the winner of a first-round match between Arg

More SportsFeb. 5, 2013

Korea soccer team faces Croatia test

In a stern test ahead of FIFA World Cup qualification matches, the South Korean men’s national soccer team will take on Croatia in London this week.South Korea set up its training camp in Marlow, west of central London, last week in preparation for the match scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Wednesday local time, or 11:05 p.m. Wednesday in Korea, at Craven Cottage, home of the English Premier League club, Fulham.Croatia was ranked 10th in the most recent FIFA world rankings released on Jan. 13, 24 spots a

SoccerFeb. 5, 2013

Kim, Kwan to close Special Olympics

South Korean figure skating star Kim Yu-na will perform with her idol, Michelle Kwan of the U.S., in the closing ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, organizers said Monday.The 10th World Winter Games will close out Tuesday here in the alpine town, some 180 kilometers east of Seoul. Kim and Kwan, who have won six world championships between them, will put on an ice dance performance.David Wilson, a Canadian choreographer who has worked with Kim for several seasons,

More SportsFeb. 4, 2013

Mickelson cruises to easy victory

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (AP) ― Phil Mickelson completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Phoenix Open, again flirting with history in a dominating four-day run at TPC Scottsdale.Mickelson shot a 4-under 67 on Sunday to finish at 28-under 256, two strokes off the PGA Tour record of 254 set by Tommy Armour III in the 2003 Texas Open.Mickelson missed a chance for a 59 in the first round when his 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole caught the right edge of the cup, curled 180 degrees and stayed out. He s

GolfFeb. 4, 2013

[Photo] Ravens beat 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl

In a Super Bowl that went from blowout to blackout to shootout, the Baltimore Ravens held on to edge the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 on Sunday in one of the most thrilling NFL deciders ever.A power outage at the Superdome early in the second half stopped America's biggest sporting event for more than half an hour and seemed to rob the Ravens of their momentum, having just established a 22-point lead.After the interruption, the 49ers stormed back, cutting the deficit to just two points but Baltimor

BaseballFeb. 4, 2013

Nadal keeps expectations low before comeback

VINA DEL MAR, Chile (AP) ― Rafael Nadal says he’s not focused on winning his first match in eight months when he returns next week at the Chile Open.Nadal said Saturday that results aren’t as important for now as reaching “an acceptable level,” after a left knee injury forced him to take the longest break of his career.“After spending more than six months without competing, I’m not thinking about become No. 1,” Nadal said at a news conference. “It’s something that even when I’m in good shape and

More SportsFeb. 3, 2013

Mickelson opens 6-shot lead

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (AP) ― Phil Mickelson drew the loudest roars from the biggest crowd in golf history Saturday at the Phoenix Open.Mickelson nearly aced the par-3 16th, hitting a 9-iron to a foot to set up a birdie on the rowdy stadium hole packed with nearly 20,000 screaming fans.Estimated at 179,022, the third-round crowd broke the record of 173,210 set last year, also on a Saturday at fan-friendly TPC Scottsdale. The event has drawn 467,030 for the week and is in position to break the mark

GolfFeb. 3, 2013