Sports briefs

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Son Yeon-jae defends rhythm gymnastics title

Son Yeon-jae defended her title in the 7th Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Jecheon, North Chungcheong, on Saturday.

The 21-year-old finished the competition as overall leader with a total score of 72.500 after four events - ball (18.150), clubs (18.000), ribbon (18.200) and hoop (18.150). Uzbekistan’s Elizaveta Nazarenkova was second with an overall score of 70.400, followed by Japan’s Sakura Hayakawa at 69.600.

CYCLING

Australia’s Caleb Ewan wins 2015 Tour de Korea

Australia’s Caleb Ewan became the 2015 Tour de Korea champion after the 20-year-old cyclist finished the 1,249-kilometer (776.09 miles) course in 29 hours, 53 minutes and 28 seconds, taking the yellow jersey for overall winner.

New Zealand’s Patrick Bevin was second at 4 seconds behind, with Australia’s Adam Blythe in third.

Ewan, whose mother is Korean, also took the white jersey for the best young cyclists under 23, and won the sky-blue jersey that is rewarded to the best sprinters.

Ewan won four out of eight stages of the tournament that spans from Busan to Seoul over a week.

Korea’s Jang Kyung-gu defended his red polka-dot jersey after winning the mountain course climbers’ title with 28 points.

Australia’s Avanti Racing Team won the team title, followed by Japan’s Bridgestone Anchor and Seoul Cycling Team.

VOLLEYBALL

Korea defeats archrival Japan in FIVB league

Korea beat archrival Japan in the 2015 FIVB World League in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on Sunday, avenging its defeat on Saturday.

At the Suwon Gymnasium, Korea beat Japan 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) and managed to get its second victory in the Group 2 Pool D. On Saturday, Korea lost 1-3 (20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 19-25).

Both teams are now tied with two wins and four losses, but Korea leads Japan in set difference. They will meet again this weekend in Osaka, Japan. Korea will then travel to the Czech Republic and France.