Sports briefs

BASEBALL

Prosecutors interview Oh over illegal gambling claim

Pitcher Oh Seung-hwan was interviewed by local prosecutors on Wednesday following allegations of illegal gambling overseas.

According to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, Oh was interviewed by investigators for five-hours from 7 a.m. on Wednesday before returning home. The 33-year-old, who is a free agent from Japanese club Hanshin Tigers, reportedly told prosecutors that he did go to Macao casinos, but it was just for a tour and not habitual gambling. But prosecutors said Oh, who is looking to play in the Major League Baseball next season, did admit some charges.

The prosecutors recently received a statement from a member of a Korean gang surnamed Lee, who claimed Oh had gambled over 100 million won in an exclusive “junket room” in a Macao casino.

Before Oh, the prosecutors investigated pitcher Lim Chang-yong onthe same charges. Both Oh and Lim played for Samsung Lions.

VOLLEYBALL

Moon and Yang pick up most votes for All-Star Game

Hyundai Capital Skywalkers’ right side hitter Moon Sung-min and Hyundai E&C Hillstate center Yang Hyo-jin gathered the most votes for the V-League All-Star Game for the men’s and women’s division, respectively, the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) said on Wednesday.

The All-Star Game for the professional volleyball league is slated on Christmas Day at Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium in Cheonan, South Chungcheong.

The KOVO announced 48 players who are to play in the All-Star Game. They were selected based on fan votes, while some players were chosen with the recommendation of a selection committee. KOVO said a total of 58,671 votes were cast from Nov. 24 to Dec. 6.

Moon, 29, earned the most 44,087 votes for male players. Yang had 40,130 votes to get most votes among females players for three straight seasons.

Meanwhile, for the All-Star vote for coaches that was first held this season, OK Savings Bank Rush & Cash coach Kim Se-jin had most votes for men, while Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders’ Park Mi-hee was top among women.

HANDBALL

Korea beats Congo for first win in world championship

Korea collected its first victory at the Women’s World Handball Championship after beating the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday (Korean time).

In their Group C match in Kolding, Denmark, Korea beat the African country 35-17. The team led by coach Lim Young-chul, has now one win and two draws. Korea collected its two draws against Brazil and France.

Korea will face Germany today.

By JOO KYUNG-DON