SPORTS BRIEFS

JUDO

Lee confirms Olympic place after 81-kg competition win

Korean judoka Lee Seung-soo has secured his spot in Korea’s squad for the Rio Olympics in the 81-kilogram event.

According to the International Judo Federation world rankings announced on Monday, Lee was listed in the 20th position, guaranteeing his ticket to Rio, which is given to judokas above No. 22 in world rankings in each weight division.

Lee won the men’s 81-kilogram weight division on May 11 during a local competition in Korea and clinched his position as the front-runner for the Rio Olympics squad.

But he had to wait for the new world rankings, which were decided after the Judo Grand Prix, Almaty 2016, that ended on Sunday.

Lee’s ranking remained at 20th even after the event, giving him the first chance to compete in the summer games. Lee went to Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012 as the sparring partner for the Korean judokas.

FOOTBALL

Ki ready to take part in
international friendlies

Swansea City’s Ki Sung-yueng will make an appearance during the two national friendlies against Spain and the Czech Republic in June.

According to the Korea Football Association (KFA), Ki was initially planning to go to a four-week long boot camp at the end of this month to serve his mandatory military duty, but he decided to reschedule it after Korea’s national team manager, Uli Stielike, said he wanted Ki to participate in the games.

The Korean national football team is slated to play the Spanish national team on June 1 and the Czech national team on June 5 in international friendly matches at various European venues.

Ki is deemed a key playmaker for Korea and has been in charge of control in the middle of the pitch. With Augsburg FC midfielder Koo Ja-cheol out of the picture due to a toe injury, the results from Ki’s presence on the field for the upcoming matches are keenly anticipated.

“Stielike will unveil the roster for the upcoming international friendlies against Spain and the Czech Republic on May 23,” a KFA staff member said. “Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur will also show up for the two games. The arrangement for Son is that after joining the national team in June, he will be absent from the four friendlies to be in the Olympics preparation that takes place in Korea.

By Choi Hyung-jo