Weekend Picks

SHOOTING

ISSF World Cup Changwon

Friday-Wednesday, Changwon Shooting Range

The year’s first International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup includes rifle and pistol events.

The opening ceremony was Thursday in Changwon, South Gyeongsang. Competition runs today through Wednesday, with 571 shooters from 68 countries participating. Korea will send 41 shooters, including five-time Olympic medalist Jin Jong-oh.

At this event, a total of 24 spots are up for grabs for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Korea secured five Olympic slots at last year’s ISSF World Championships. Olympic medalist Jin, Kim Jun-hong, Kim Jang-mi, Jung Ji-hae and Han Jin-seop are all heading to Brazil.

VOLLEYBALL

Korea-Japan V-League Top Match

IBK Altos vs. NEC Red Rockets // OK Savings Bank Rush & Cash vs. JT Thunders

5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jangchung Gymnasium, Seoul

The Korean and Japanese volleyball champions will clash for the sixth time since 2006. There were no matches in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Women play at 5 p.m. with the Hwaseong IBK Altos, which beat Seongnam Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-pass to claim the V-League championship title, taking on the NEC Red Rockets, which became the Japanese champion by beating Hisamitsu Springs.

The men’s games will see two first-time league champions go head-to-head. In Korea, the Rush & Cash won its first title by sweeping the Daejeon Samsung Fire Bluefangs, while Japan’s JT Thunders edged the Suntory Sunbirds.

Korean volleyball fans will see some familiar faces from the Japanese clubs. Leandro Vissotto of Brazil, now with the Thunders, played with Suwon Kepco Vixtorm in the V-League in the 2013-4 season. Yeliz Basa of Turkey, with the Red Rockets, played for Suwon Hyundai E&C Hillstate in 2013-4.

Rush & Cash is especially motivated, since the men’s national team lost to Japan in the Asian Games last year. Winners of the matches will collect $10,000.

FOOTBALL

K-League Classic

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Gwangju FC

4 p.m. Sunday, Mokpo International Football Center, Mokpo, South Jeolla

This is first time in 18 years the K-League Classic match will be held in Mokpo. Due to preparation for the Summer Universiade, Gwangju is unable to use its home stadium until the end of this month.

Gwangju is having an impressive season after getting bumped up from the second division. Despite losing to league leader Ulsan Hyundai last week, it is in fourth place. This is also the first match for new general manager Ki Young-ok, father of Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng.

Defending champion Jeonbuk, currently No. 2 in league, could be a little tired. The team traveled to Vietnam to face Becamex Binh Duong in their AFC Champions League Group E qualifier on Wednesday, ending in a 1-1 draw.

However, striker Lee Dong-gook and attacking midfielders Lee Jae-sung and Han Kyo-won did not play.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [joo.kyungdon@joongang.co.kr]