Sports Briefs

GOLF

Kim moves up one position to 6th in world ranking

Kim Hyo-joo climbed up in world ranking to No.6, according to Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings updated on Tuesday. The change is largely due to her victory at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic on Jan. 31st with 18-under 274. As Kim’s ranking went from No.7 to No.6, Ryu So-yeon stepped down from No.6 to No.7. The point difference between Kim and Ryu, however, is slim with only 0.01. This means their ranking can easily shift again depending on the result from the next match.

As the Olympics is approaching, the ranking competition among Korean LPGA players becomes more fierce. A place in the Olympic squad is determined by the world ranking of the players with only the top four qualifying for the team. Before the 2016 season began, the ranking was, in order, Park In-bee, Ryu So-yeon, Kim Sei-young and Yang Hee-yeong. However, as of Tuesday, the ranking is, in order, Park In-bee, Kim Sei-young, Kim Hyo-joo and Ryu So-yeon. Jang Ha-na and Chun In-gee are following the lead group closely at No.9 and No.10.

VOLLEYBALL

3-0 win against Jumbos puts Skywalkers top of league

Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers claimed a complete shut-out victory against the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos on Monday with a 3 to 0 shut out in the NH V-League. This extended the Skywalkers’ winning streak to 13. The team also clinched the No.1 position for the first time in 760 days.

In the match against the Jumbos, Skywalkers’ Oriol Camejo scored 20 points while the team captain Moon Sung-min added 14 points to the board. The set scores were 25-20, 25-19 and 25-19. Moon attributed the success to his manager Choi Tae-woong. “Our manager tells us to not be too pressured,” said Moon. “He allows the players to enjoy the game.”

Despite the freezing weather on Monday, the enthusiasm of the fans that has grown with their sensational winning streak through the second half of the season filled the Cheonan Ryu Gwan-sun Arena with 5,246 supporters attending the game.

In the meantime, the Jumbos recorded six defeats in a row due to their loss to the Skywalkers. The Skywalkers will take on Gumi KB Insurance today at 7 p.m.

choi.hyungjo@joongang.co.kr