Mybikefullyloadedfora600-kilometerride[JIMBULLEY]ThisarticleispartofaseriesoncyclinginKorea.Forpartoneofasix-partguideoncyclingtheKoreancross-countryroute,clickhere.Foranoverviewoftheentirecross-countryroute,clickhere.CyclinginKoreaisanincreasinglypopularactivityforbothresidentsandtourists.Withelevenwell-maintainedbicycleroutescrisscrossingthecountry,it’sneverbeeneasiertojumponabikeandgetoutofthebigcitiestoseemoreofKorea.Butwhetheryou’realocalenthusiastoratouristlookingforanadventure,long-distancecyclingcomeswithitsownsetoflogisticschallenges:Wheretosleep,howtonavigate,howtogethomeattheendorevenhowtogetabike.Thisguidespecificallyfocusesonthelogisticalchallengesacyclistmightfacewhileridingthe630-kilometercross-countryIncheon-to-Busanroute,butallthesolutionscouldbeappliedtootherroutesinKorea.FindingarouteKoreahasmadeitincrediblyeasyforcycliststonavigatethecountry.Thereare11officialcyclingroutes(or12,dependingonhowyoucountthem)andallareclearlysignposted.Alongeveryroutethereareregularcertificationcenters,wherecyclistscanstamptheirbikepassport(moreonthatbelow),andyoucanearnacertificateforeveryrouteyoucomplete.Cyclistswhotacklethecross-countryroute,thefourriversrouteorwhocompleteeverythingcanalsoreceivemedals.The11routesare:AraBicyclePath,runningabout20kilometersfromIncheontotheedgeofSeoulHangangBicyclePath,running192kilometersfromthewesternedgeofSeoultoChungjuDamBukhangangBicyclePath,a70-kilometerjauntfromtheeasternedgeofSeouluptoChuncheon,GangwonSaejaeBicyclePath,100kilometersthroughtheSobaekMountainsinthemiddleofKoreaOcheonBicyclePath,a105-kilometerrouteconnectingtheSaejaeandGeumgangbicyclepathsNakdonggangBicyclePath,389kilometersfromthecenterofthecountrytothesoutheastcoastGeumgangBicyclePath,146kilometersconnectingthecentralhighlandstothewestcoastYeongsangangBicyclePath,133kilometersthroughthesoutheastofthecountrySeomjingangBicyclePath,a149-kilometertrailstartinginthehillyinteriorandendingonthesouthcoastEastCoastBicyclePath,tackleKorea’shillyeastcoastintwochunks,242kilometersinGangwonand76kilometersinNorthGyeongsangJejuFantasyBicyclePath,a234-kilometercircumnavigationofJejuIslandTheofficialcertifiedbicycleroutesoperatedbyKWater[KOREAJOONGANGDAILY]Forcertificationpurposes,theEastCoastBicyclePathissplitintotwo,GangwonandNorthGyeongsang,andthesouthernstretchoftheHanRiver,fromtheeasternedgeofSeoultoChungjuTangeumdae,alsoearnsaseparateNamhangangcertificate.AraBicyclePathdoesnotreceiveitsowncertification.CollectingastampatAraWestSeaLockonthemorningofSept.27.Allstampsontherouteareinthesameredtelephonebox-likestructures.[JIMBULLEY]ToreceivetheKoreaCrossCountryCyclingRoadmedal,cyclistsneedtolinktogethertheAra,Hangang,SaejaeandNakdonggangroutes,collectingallstampsexceptforChungjuDamattheendoftheHangangrouteandAndongDamatthestartoftheNakdonggangroute.Stampsmarktherider'sprogressthroughthesouthernstretchoftheHanRiverinaKoreanbicyclepassport.[DANIELAGONZALEZPEREZ]ToreceivetheFourRiversCyclingRoadmedal,cyclistsneedtocollectallstampsontheHangang,Nakdonggang,GeumgangandYeongsangangroutes.Moreinformationoncyclingroutescanbefoundontheofficialbike.go.kr.Detailedinformationisalsoavailableontheindependently-runkoreabybike.com,whichoffersawealthofinformationforcyclistsinKorea,althoughsomeofitisbehindapaywall.ThecertificationcenterattheabandonedBuljeongStationinMungyeong,NorthGyeongsangonSept.29.[JIMBULLEY]GettingstartedIfyouwanttocycleoneoftheofficialroutes,thenthefirstthingyouneedisabikepassport.Thesecanbepurchasedinpersonatoneofsevenlocationsnationwide:AraWestSeaLockCertificationCenter,GangcheonboCertificationCenter,NakdonggangEstuaryBankCertificationCenter,DaecheongDamCertificationCenter,BaealdoWaterfrontParkCertificationCenter,SeungchanboCertificationCenterandBikeTrip(abikerentalshopnearJeju’sYongduamCertificationCenter).TheKoreaCrossCountryCyclingRoadTourpassport,whichcoversallofficialKoreanbicyclepaths.[DANIELAGONZALEZPEREZ]OnlinepurchaseisalsoanoptionforKoreanresidents,buttouristswillneedtovisitoneofthecertificationcenters.Theygenerallydon’topenuntil9:30a.m.,sodon’tplanforanearlystart.Passportscost4,000won($2.80),andyoucanpayanextra500wonforamap.Thetouristoneisslightlydifferentfromtheresidentversion,andtouristswhocompleteamedalroute(i.e.,cross-country)willreceivetheirmedalandcertificateonthespotaftercrossingthefinishingline(assumingthecertificationcenterisopen).Koreanresidentsneedtoapplyonlineaftercompletion.Completingthecross-countrycourseearnsagoldstickeronthecertificationpage,aswellasaphysicalcertificateandmedal.[DANIELAGONZALEZPEREZ]FindingabikeIfyoudon’tliveinKoreaandyou’retravelingwithoutabike,anumberofplacesinSeoulandBusanofferrentalservicesforcyclistslookingtocompletethecross-countrybikepathorotherlong-distanceroutes.TheKoreaJoongAngDailyspoketoBikeRentalKoreaandBikeNara,bothbasedinSeoul,tofindoutmoreabouttheservicesavailable.Bothcompaniesofferarangeofbikes,includinghybrid,gravelande-bikes,forrental,withpricesstartingaround25,000won($17)perday.AtBikeNara,rentalisinclusiveofhelmet,rearrack,lock,toolkit,sparetube,pump,safetylights,waterbottlecageandluggagestorageattheirshopinSeoul.Mostservicesalsooffertheopportunitytorentpanniersatasmalladditionalcost,aswellastheoptiontoreturnthebikeattheendofthecourseratherthanhavingtoreturntoSeoulwithit.SimilarservicesexistacrossKorea,andmanyofthoseinbothSeoulandBusanofferEnglishservices.Areservationisrequired,anditisworthgettinginearly—BikeNaratoldtheKoreaJoongAngDailythatthenumberoftouristsrentingbikeshasalmostdoubledinthelastyearalone.NavigationGoogleMapsisanunreliableresourceinKorea,withKoreanservicesNaverMapsandKakaoMapsofferingfarmorereliablenavigation.Ofthetwo,KakaoMapsisalwaysthefirstchoiceforKoreancyclists.Theapp,whichisavailableinEnglish,offersdetailedcyclingroutesandprioritizesbikelaneswhereverpossible.AllelevenoftheofficialKoreanbikeroutesarenavigableonKakao,andtheinterfaceevenshowselevation.Along,flattrailwindsaroundtheoutskirtsofDaeguonOct.1.[JIMBULLEY]NaverMapsalsohasacyclingoption,butitdoesnotprioritizebike-friendlyroutesaseffectivelyasKakao.Ifyouplantouseaheadunit,thenoptionsareabitmorelimited.EventhebiginternationalmanufacturersusemapdatathatisoftenimperfectinKorea,sothesearenotthebesttoolsfornavigation.TherearesomeKoreancross-countryroutemapsavailableonroute-planningserviceslikeKomoot,buttheytendtobeunreliable.Evenifyouareusingaheadunit,it’sworthplanningyourday-to-daytravelusingKakaoMapsandhavingyourphoneonhand.AllthecertificationcentersaresearchableonKakaoMaps,soyoucanputtogetheraday’sridebylinkingupthecertificationcentersyouintendtovisit.WheretostayOutsideofmajorcityandtouristhubs,findingahotelinKoreacanbechallengingifyouonlyhaveaccesstointernational,English-languageserviceslikeBooking.com.Iftravelingonthecross-countryroute,hotelsinSeoulandBusanwillbeeasytofindonline,whileareaslikeYangpyeong,GyeonggiandMungyeong,NorthGyeongsang,aretouristyenoughtoofferafewoptions.Otherareas,likepartsofNorthChuncheongandSouthGyeongsang,arefarlesspopularwithinternationaltouristsandmayofferlittleornooptions.Ifthat’sthecase,theshortansweris:Don’tpanic.PracticallyallKoreantownshaveawealthofcheap,accessiblemotels.Thesewillgenerallysetyoubackbetween50,000and100,000wonanddonotneedtobebookedinadvance.RockingupandfindingsomewheretostayinarandomtowninKoreaisverydoableandalsoallowsyoutocycleatyourownspeed,stoppingwhenyoufeellikeit,ratherthanpushingontohitwhatfeltlikeadoabledistancewhenyoubookedeverythingamonthearlier.Motelsareoftenthemostconvenientplacestostaywhilecycling,asthoseintownsonmajorbikeroutesareaccustomedtocyclistsandofferbikestorage.Manywillalsohavepumpsavailableandaplacetofillupyourwaterbottles.DedicatedbikeparkingrightoutsidethefrontdoorofahotelinChilgok,NorthGyeongsangonSept.30.[JIMBULLEY]AcoveredspaceforbikesatthebackofaparkinggarageatamotelinCheongju,NorthChungcheongonSept.28.[JIMBULLEY]MovingaroundKoreawithabikeWhileKoreaisanexceptionallyeasycountrytonavigatebybike,travelingwithabikeisoftenaverydifferentstory.Unlessyou’reverycommittedtoridingeverywhere,youwilllikelyneedtogeteithertoastartlineorfromafinishlineatsomepointduringyourKoreancyclingadventure.Thisisoneareawheremanytouristshaveiteasy—bikerentalshopscannowonlyarrangetotransportyourrentalbikebacktothepointoforigin,buttheyalsooffertransportservicestothestartline.Ifyouhaven’trentedabike,however,thingsarealotmorecomplicated.ToreachthestartlineinIncheonorBusan,themostcommonoptionisthesubway.Unlessyou’reusingafoldingbike,thisoptionislimitedtotheweekend.MostSeoulandIncheonsubwayslinesallowbikesonweekendsandholidays,althoughtheAirportExpress,whichtakesyoutoCheongnaInternationalCityStationnearAraWestSeaLock,requiresareservationbyclickinghere.ThebikecaronSeoulSubwayLine7[JOONGANGILBO]Callingataxiisalsoanoption,butonethatrequiressomeplanning.Whileon-the-spottaxiswillnormallynottakeabike,callvans,whichareprearrangedpeoplecarriertaxis,generallywillwithsomewarning.Thiscanoftenbesortedoutjustafewhoursbeforeyoutravel—Ifinishedthecross-countryrouteinBusan,wokeupthenextmorningtotorrentialrainandwasabletosortoutacallvantogetmetotheairport.YouwillneedthehelpofaKoreanspeakertomakethisoptionwork.Tomovearoundthecountry,optionsarenowlimitedtobusorplane,withnearlyalltrainsnolongeracceptinganythingbutfoldingbikes.Koreahasanincrediblyextensiveintercitybusnetwork,andthiscanbeaneffectiveandcheapwaytomovearoundthecountry.Bikeplacescannotbereserved,soitisatthedriver'sdiscretionwhethertheyhaveroomornot.Thisdoesraisetheriskthatcyclistscouldbeturnedawayatthelastminute,althoughinpracticethisisrare.CheongjuintercitybusterminalisseeninthisfilephotofromOct.3,2023.IntercitybusesareacheapandrelativelyreliablewaytomovearoundKoreawithabike.[YONHAP]Thefinaloptionistofly,whichisactuallysurprisinglyeasyinKorea.DomesticflightsareregularandcheapinKorea,andairlineschargeverylittlefortheluxuryofflyingwithabike.Theonlydownsideistheneedtohaveitpackagedinabikebox,anexpensivepieceofkitforthecasualcyclist.KoreancompanyRoundelhassolvedthatproblemforthedomesticflier,offeringacheapbikeboxrentalservicethatallowsacyclisttorideintoanairport,pickuptheirbox,packandfly,returntheboxandrideoutagain.TheKoreaJoongAngDailytestedtheRoundelservicewhenflyingfromBusantoSeoulattheendofthecross-countryride.Theservicewasprovidedforfreeonthatoccasionbutwouldnormallycostacyclist30,000wontoflyoneway,or48,000wonreturn.ThekitwasreadyandwaitinguponarrivalatGimhaeInternationalAirport,andittookabout20minutestoremovethefrontwheelandhandlebarsofthebikeandpackitintotheprovidedcollapsibleboxwithfoaminserts.Sometoolsareprovidedattheairport.ARoundelbikeboxrentalkitcollectedatGimhaeInternationalAirportonOct.3.[JIMBULLEY]Roundeldoesnothaveit'sowncountersinKoreanairports,insteadarrangingpick-upanddrop-offthroughpartnercompanieslikeZimCarryinGimhaeInternationalAiport,photographedonOct.3.ZimCarryprovidesbiketoolstohelpcyclistsremovetheirfrontwheeland,ifneeded,handlebars.[JIMBULLEY]AllpackedupandreadytogoatGimhaeInternationalAiportonOct.3.[JIMBULLEY]BusanAirchargea10,000wonhandlingfeeforbikes.Theonlyotherpossiblecostisweight,butasthisbikeandtheluggageintheboxcameinunderthe15-kilogramincludedluggageallowance.[JIMBULLEY]BusanAirchargedjust10,000woninhandlingfeesforthebike,whichfellwithintheincludedweightlimit,sonoadditionalcostswereincurred.UponarrivalatGimpoInternationalAirport,BusanAirreturnedthebike,andittookabout15minutestorebuildit,packuptheRoundelboxandreturnittothecollectioncenter.Allinall,itwouldhavecostatotalof40,000won,orabout$30,toflyabikethelengthofKorea.Theserviceischeap,easytouseandwellworthconsidering.ForcyclistslookingtotackleJejuIsland,flyingoranovernightferryaretheonlyoptions.

▲데이나화이트컨텐더시리즈(DWCS)에도전한권원일.ⓒUFC코리아[스포티비뉴스=김건일기자]국내밴텀급강자중한명으로꼽히는'프리티보이'권원일(30)이데이나화이트컨텐더시리즈를통과하지못했다.권원일은15일(한국시간)미국네바다주라스베이거스UFC에이펙스에서열린데이나화이트컨텐더시리즈(DWCS)시즌9에피소드10다섯번째경기에서페루출신후안디아스(27)에게2라운드4분58초만에스피닝엘보우로KO패했다.지난달미들급으로패디매코리(아일랜드)에게판정패한황인수에이어연이은계약실패다.권원일은지난1월원챔피언십타이틀전을치렀던강자.이경기전까지14승6패전적을기록했으며,14승중13승을피니시로만들어내며데이나화이트컨덴더시리즈에발탁됐다.▲권원일은15일(한국시간)미국네바다주라스베이거스UFC에이펙스에서열린데이나화이트컨텐더시리즈(DWCS)시즌9에피소드10다섯번째경기에서페루출신후안디아스(27)에게2라운드4분58초만에스피닝엘보우로KO패했다.ⓒUFC코리아권원일은원챔피언십과계약이해지된뒤직접UFC매치메이커에게연결했다.이번무대에서게됐다는건UFC가권원일에게관심을보였다는것을증명한다.상대디아스는멕시코단체룩스파이트밴텀급챔피언출신으로이경기전까지14승1무1패를기록중인강자였다.권원일이리치우위를살려디아스를압도할것이라는예상과달리디아스의공세가만만치않았다.압박하는권원일에게1라운드부터적지않은유효타를적중했다.1라운드초반디아스의묵직한라운드훅에권원일이크게휘청이기도했다.권원일이변칙적인타격으로반격하자디아스가태클로흐름을끊었다.영리하고안정적인운용을한다는경기전디아스의평가와같았다.2라운드에서도디아스가권원일을누르고상위포지션을점유했다.권원일이디아스의그래플링을벗겨내고계속해서압박했으나디아스가날카로운카운터로반격했다.경기는2라운드를넘기지않았다.2라운드가끝나기직전권원일이크게휘두른훅을피한디아스가몸을틀어팔꿈치를들어올렸다.디아스의팔꿈치는권원일의턱을강타했다.권원일이쓰러지자심판이몸을날려경기를끝냈다.올해로10번째시즌을맞이한데이나화이트컨텐더시리즈에서처음으로나온백스피닝KO다.▲후안디아스는데이나화이트대표의극찬과함께UFC계약에성공했다.ⓒUFC코리아디아스는"권원일이계속압박해왔다.1라운드에서도성공할수있었지만,2라운드에해냈다"고말했다.화이트대표는디아스에게"정말놀라웠다.오늘자네가ESPN'오늘의톱10플레이'1위가아니면,ESPN은엉터리"라며"UFC에온걸환영한다"고계약뜻을밝혔다.데이나화이트컨텐더시리즈는UFC에들어가기위해전세계파이터들이모이는경쟁무대다.데이나화이트대표가미국시간으로화요일저녁,여러컨텐더(도전자)들의경기를지켜보고우수한실력을증명한파이터들에게그자리에서계약서를주는방식의오디션이다.8월부터10월까지매주화요일총10주동안진행한다.한회당5경기가펼쳐진다.

"국민모두즐기는스포츠위해앞장설것"엄홍길대장(오른쪽)이하형주체육공단이사장으로부터홍보대사위촉장을받고활짝웃고있다.(체육공단제공)(서울=뉴스1)임성일스포츠전문기자=서울올림픽기념국민체육진흥공단(이하체육공단)이세계적인산악인엄홍길대장을홍보대사로위촉했다.체육공단은'제63회스포츠의날'인15일올림픽회관에서엄홍길대장의홍보대사위촉식을가졌다.홍보대사엄대장은향후체육공단에서운영하는다양한공익사업을널리알리며국민모두가즐기는스포츠를위해앞장설예정이다.지난2007년세계최초로해발8000m급16좌등정에성공한엄홍길대장은청룡장등많은체육훈장을수훈한전설로2019년대한민국스포츠영웅으로헌액됐다.지난해5월에는한국-네팔수교50주년을기념해주갈원정대장으로서6591m의히말라야주갈1봉을세계최초로등정했다.현재엄대장은엄홍길휴먼재단상임이사,한국외국어대학교석좌교수,대한산악연맹자문위원등으로활동하고있다.네팔히말라야오지에20개의휴먼스쿨과병원,다목적체육관등을건립했으며특히셰르파의자녀들을위한장학금과교사급여를지원하는등세계산악계발전은물론나눔과봉사의가치실현을위한다양한활동을이어가고있다.엄홍길대장은"체육공단의홍보대사를맡게되어매우영광스럽게생각한다"며"앞으로큰책임감을가지고국민들의건강증진과체육공단의다양한사업홍보를위해앞장설것"이라고소감을밝혔다.하형주체육공단이사장도"도전과긍지,나눔의삶으로우리국민에게큰감동을전하고있는엄홍길대장과함께하게된것은큰영광"이라며"앞으로체육공단의홍보대사로서국민에게희망과감동을전할수있는다양한활동을기대한다"고화답했다.

TheNakdonggangBicyclePathhitsalong,straightsectionsouthofDaeguonOct.1.[JIMBULLEY][GIVEITAGO]Whenwestartedthe“GiveitaGo”seriessixmonthsago,weneverexpectedittoculminateinsomeonecyclingthelengthandbreadthofKorea.Butthat’swhereit’stakenus(tobeclear,theseriesisn’tending—IjustassumenobodywillevergiveitagoashardasIgaveitago),andhere’sthestoryofmysix-daycyclingadventurecrossingKoreafromthenorthwesternportcityofIncheontothesoutheasternportcityofBusan.Forthebuddingcross-countrycyclist,Koreaisabitofaparadise.Tostartwith,thecross-countryroutealreadyexists,setinstonebythepowersthatbeandallowingcycliststowindtheirwayfromIncheontoBusanwhilelargelyavoidingbusyroads.Thepowersthatbe,inthisinstance,areactuallyKWater,Korea’sgovernmentwaterresourcedevelopmentagencyandanunexpectedlocalchampionoflong-distancecycling.ThecertificationcenterattheabandonedBuljeongStationinMungyeong,NorthGyeongsang,onSept.29.[JIMBULLEY]KWaterproducesacyclingpassportthatcanbepickedupatanumberofcertificationcentersnationwide,includingatthecross-countryridestartpointsinIncheonandBusan.Cyclistscanusethispassporttocollectstampsalongtheroute,andcollectingthemallwillearnyouacertificateandamedal.Thisisn’tjustforthecross-countryroute—thereareofficialtrailsacrossKoreaandevencircumnavigatingJejuIsland,althoughonlythe“4RiversCyclingRoad,”the“KoreaCrossCountryCyclingRoad”andthe“GrandSlam”willearnyouamedal.Forme,thefirststampcomesatAraWestSeaLockat8a.m.onaSaturdayinlateSeptember.I’vearrivedbycar(luckily,wedon’tlivetoofaraway,andmywifeisasaint),andI’mstaringdownthebarrelof630kilometers(390miles)betweenmeandBusan.I’mwearingshortsandafar-too-tightbrightorangecyclingjersey,andI’mcarryingjustonechangeofclothesforthenextweek.I’mtooignoranttobenervous,soIputonepedalinfrontoftheotherandoffwego.AtthestartlineinIncheononSept.27.[JIMBULLEY]Aquickasideaboutcredentialsbeforewemoveon:IqualifiedasthebestpersoninthenewsroomtotakeonthischallengebecauseIcyclea45-kilometerround-triptoworkwhenevertheweatherpermits,andIoncecycledthe80kilometerstoSuwonandbackforaboozyweekend.Ihavenoexperiencewithlong-distancecycling,Ihavenoexperiencewithhills,andI’moverweightenoughthatmyself-plus-luggage-plus-bikeisgettingsoclosetothemanufacturer’sthresholdthatIspendthefirst100kilometersexpectingthewholethingtoexplode.Withallthatinmind,I’mexpectingtoapproachtheweekatastately18to20kilometersperhour(11to12milesperhour),puttingawayacoupleof100-kilometerdaysearlybeforeelevationandexhaustionslowmedownduringtheweek.TheKoreaCrossCountryCyclingRoad[KOREAJOONGANGDAILY]Myfirst21kilometerstakemefromtheseatoSeoul,alongtheAraBicyclePaththatrunsparalleltotheAraWaterway,ahugecanalthatconnectstheHanRivertotheseabeforetheriverreachestheDMZ.I’veriddenthisroutemanytimesbeforeanddoitinasortofsun-fueleddaze,reachingtheAraHangangLockcertificationcenterjustafter9a.m.andswitchingtotheHangangBicyclePathwhereIwillspendthenextcoupleofdays.AraWaterwayinthesunonSept.27.Formanycyclists,the20-kilometerAraBicyclePathactsasagentleintroductiontocyclinginKorea.[JIMBULLEY]Ihadn’tbeenlookingforwardtocyclingthroughthecapitalonaSaturday,whenSeoullitesflocktotheriverparksenmasseandthebicyclepathsturnintoagruelingobstaclecourse.Tomakemattersworse,IhadcompletelyignoredthefactthatmySaturdaywasthedayoftheannualSeoulfireworksdisplay,andby10a.m.,thepathswerealreadycoveredintentsandblankets.Fortykilometerslater,havingcycledthroughwhatfeltlikeaprotractedlinearmusicfestivaldesignedspecificallytoannoyme,IpunchedouttheothersideofSeoulandintothesatellitecityofHanam,Gyeonggi.Itwasearlyafternoonbythispoint,andI’dstoppedandhadramenataconveniencestoreforlunch,astherearen’tmanyrestaurantoptionsneartheriverinSeoul.AviewofSeoulfromthesouthsideoftheHanRiver,lookingeasttowardLotteWorldTowerandthesatellitecityofHanam,Gyeonggi,onSept.27.[JIMBULLEY]Runningonfumes,IcrossedtothenorthbankoftheHanandpoweredonoverthemouthoftheNorthHanRiverintoruralGyeonggi.Twentykilometerslater,IpulledintothetownofYangpyeong,Gyeonggi,with103.52kilometersclockedonStrava.ThisiswhereIplannedtospendthefirstnight,althoughpoorplanningmeantIhadtolockupmybikeatalocalciviccenterandtakeataxi10kilometersoutoftowntomymotel.Day1complete,Igotmyhandsonsomeice-coldnaengmyeonandthensettleddownforthenightinthecheapandcheerfulmotelI’dchosenforitsviewoftheriver,withoutconsideringlocation,convenienceorquality.Sundaydawnedtheworstwayadaycandawnfortheaspiringlong-distancecyclist—withtorrentialrain.Refusingtobedeterred,Istillgotupat6a.m.andtookataxibacktomybikeat7a.m.,arrivingincentralYangpyeongtothegrowingrealizationthattheweatherwasn’treallycyclable,andmywaterproofjacketwasn’treallywaterproof.HidingfromtherainatthebackoftheYangpyeongLibraryinYangpyeong,Gyeonggi,onSept.28.[JIMBULLEY]Whatfollowedwasathree-hourtourofYangpyeongcoffeeshops,followedbythreehourssittingunderashelteratthebackoftheYangpyeongLibrarywaitingfortheraintoabate.ThesensibleoptionwouldhavebeentogiveuponthedayandseewhatthebrightlightsofYangpyeonghadtooffer,butIwasstillfocusedontryingtogetasfaraspossiblebeforeanexpectedcriticalbikeorbodyfailure.Hence,astherainslowedat1p.m.,Isetouttocompleteanentireday’scyclinginonewet,muddyafternoon.Thedaysucked.Itwasgrimandgrey,withcloudssolowyoufeltlikeyouweregoingtohityourhead.IwasalreadysoakedthroughwhenIstarted,andthe97.52kilometerstoChungju,NorthChungcheong,wereagrueling,muddyslog.ThesouthernstretchoftheHanisextremelybeautifulcountry,butIpassedmostofitinawetdaze.AwaterskierpassesinfrontofSilleuksa,aBuddhisttempleoutsideYeoju,Gyeonggi,onSept.28.[JIMBULLEY]IarrivedinChungjuinthedark,cold,wetandwithjustenoughtimetoknockbackaconveniencestoreramenbeforeIspenttwohourstryingtowashmyclothesintheshoweranddrythemwithahairdryer.SoendedDay2.ThethirddaywastheoneIhadbeendreadingthemost.HereweleavebehindtheHanRiverandjoinourthirdlegofthetrip,theSaejaeBicyclePath.SaejaeisareferencetotheMungyeongSaejaemountainpass,theonlyplaceinKoreawheretheGreatYeongnamRoad,whichconnectedthenorthwestandsoutheastofKoreaforhundredsofyears,remainsasintactasitwasduringtheJoseonDynasty(1392–1910).Theroutedoesn’tactuallygothroughtheSaejaepass,but,asthenamesuggests,itisallaboutcrossingthemountains.AwoodenbridgeinSuanbo,NorthChungcheong,onSept.29.[JIMBULLEY]IstartedinChungjuwithastopatacafeforcoffee,graduallyclimbing200metersoverthefirst25kilometersbeforeIstoppedatthemountainvillageofSuanboforaPocariSweat.Thencametherealwork.Tocrossthemountainsyouclimbthroughtwopasses,firstascendingsharplytojustshyof400metersabovesealevelandthenquicklylosing150metersofaltitudebeforethebigclimbupto530meters.Thesemaynotsoundlikehugenumbers,buttheyaresteepclimbsandI’dneverreallyseenahillbefore:Likemostcyclists,Iresortedtowalkingthelast100verticalmetersorsoofeachpeak,reachingthetopatmiddayforlunch.TheviewfromthetopofIhwaryeonginNorthChungcheongonSept.29.[JIMBULLEY]WhatfollowsisarapiddescentintoMungyeonginNorthGyeongsang,andImanagedtorollanother35kilometerstofinishthedayat80kilometersinMungyeong’surbanizedJeomchonneighborhood.IescapedthemountainousSaejaeBicyclePathonDay4,finallyreachingtheupperNakdongRiver,althoughnotwithoutafight.Optingtofollowthecross-countrybikeroadsignsinsteadofKakaoMaps,Ifoundmyselfsuddenlyinahilly,wooded,muddysectionthatwasmoreofamountainbikecoursethanaroad.Thisdetourallowedmetopassthe“GraveoftheLoyalCow,”whichmadeitsomewhatworthit,butitwasagoodhourbeforeIrejoinedwhatKakaothoughtwasthebestroute.AfoggystarttothedayinruralMungyeong,NorthGyeongsang,onSept.30.[JIMBULLEY]PoweringdowntheNakdong,ImadeitpasttheindustrialhubofGumi,NorthGyeongsang,andintothetownofChilgok,whereIspentthenight.Thiswasoneofthebestafternoonsofthejourney—whilethetownofGumiitselfisasortofindustrialhellscapeoffactoriesandbigtrucks,the50kilometersorsoofbikeroadsthatitmaintainsaresomeofthemostbeautifulinthecountry.AviewdowntheNakdongRiverfromNakdanbo,awierinUiseong,NorthGyeongsang,onSept.30.[JIMBULLEY]Longflatstretchesofbeautifullylandscapedparkswiththeoccasionalwoodendeckonstiltsovertherivermeantthekilometersflewpast,andtheNepaleserestaurantinChilgokwastheperfecticingonthecakeaftera102-kilometerday.ChilgoksentmeonmywayonthemorningofDay5,Oct.1,withagoodcoffeeandabacon,lettuce,tomato,hashbrownandjam(yes,jam)sandwich.Itwasasurprisinglydry,sunnyday,withtemperaturesreaching28degreesCelsius(82degreesFahrenheit).Along,flattrailwindsaroundtheoutskirtsofDaeguonOct.1.[JIMBULLEY]Therearehotdaysonabikewhenthesunwearsyoudownandtiresyouout,andtherearedayswhenitdoestheexactopposite,buoyingyouupsomuchthatyoustarttowonderifyouhavesomesortofvestigialphotosynthesisability.Thiswasverymuchthelatter,andI’dalreadyclocked60kilometersbeforeIstoppedforlunchonthesouthernsideofDaegu.Thisareaissparselypopulated,andwith95kilometersalreadycycled,IarrivedatJeogpoJunction,acollectionofverydatedmotelsandrestaurantsinthemiddleofnowherethatofferstheonlyplacetostayona50-kilometerstretchoftheNakdong.TheonlyotheroptionistocontinueontoNamjiVillage,30kilometersandtwosteephillsfurtherdownthetrail.AviewbackdowntheNakdonggangBicyclePathfromDalseongboinDaeguonOct.1.[JIMBULLEY]I’dbeendreadingthosehillssincethestartofthetrip,andeverycyclistI’vemetthat’sdonetheridehadtoldmetheyaretheworstpart.Havinghadsuchafantastictimeinthesun,IreasonedthatifItacklethemnow,they’reunlikelytoovershadowsuchabeautifulday.Whenmakingthatdecision,Ididn’tentirelyaccountfortheencroachingdarkness.Thefirsthillisthehighestandhardest,andIstruggledupit,rewardedwithanincredibleviewoftheriverbelow.Thesecond,10kilometersdowntheroad,isanold,unusedtrackoveradenselyforestedhill.LookingdownontheNakdongRiverafterasteephillclimbonOct.1.[JIMBULLEY]DuskfellhardasIclimbedthathill,andmybikelightswerelittlehelpintheoppressivedarknessoftheforest.Stravadatashowsthatatnopointontheentiretripdidmyheartratespikehigherthanduringthatsecondclimb,asIimaginedbeinggoredtodeathbyaboarorbrutallymurderedbythedenizensoftheforest.ButIdidfinallymakeitdowntheotherside,limpingintoNamjiVillage,SouthGyeongsang,with119kilometersontheclock.StartingDay6inNamji,Iwasonly100fairlyflatkilometersawayfromthemouthoftheNakdongandtheendoftheride.Thebiggeststruggleatthisstagewasfood—betweenNamjiandBusan,thereispracticallynothingontheriver,andbyearlyafternoon,Iwas60kilometersinandabsolutelystarving.SectionsoftheNakdonggangBicyclePathareonboardwalksovertheriverontheoutskirtsofMiryang,SouthGyeongsang,onOct.2.[JIMBULLEY]Ihadnochoicebuttokeepploddingalong,finallypickingupsomeKoreantoastfromafoodtruckontheedgeofBusan.Thefinal20kilometersthroughthecityareunpleasant,straightthroughasmallparkonanembankmentsandwichedbetweentwobusyroads.WhilethesoundoftrafficandthetasteoffumesareredolentoftheexperienceofvisitingmuchofBusan,itisn’tthenicestwaytofinishthejourney.Thenyou’refinallyspatoutofthegridlockatEulsukIslandintheNakdongestuary,whereyoucanstampyourlaststampand,ifyou’reatourist,pickupyourmedal(mineisinthepost).ReachingtheendoftheKoreaCross-countryCyclingRoadintheNakdongRiverEstuaryinBusanonOct.2.[JIMBULLEY]Andthengetbackonyourbikeagaintofindsomewheretosleep.Intotal,Stravaclockedmyentirerideat600.05kilometers.IknowIlostaboutfivekilometersonDay5duetoausersmartwatcherror,butI’mnotsurewhereIlosttheother25kilometersofftheofficialtotal.Isleptinsixdifferenttowns,sawabouteightsnakes,wasbittenbyonevenomouscentipede,madeplentyofbaddecisionsandbrokezerobikes.AndIgaveitadamngoodgo.Mybikefullyloadedfora600-kilometerride[JIMBULLEY]ThisisthefirstinaseriesofarticlesabouttheexperienceofcyclingacrossKorea.Forday-to-dayguidesonwhattoexpectontheroad,clickhere.ForinformationonhowtouristscanrentbikesinKorea,thelogisticsofnavigatingthecountry,flyingwithabikeandgeneraltips,clickhere.

"금융과교육이만났다"…하나은행,스포츠ESG실천확대…단꿈아이와손잡고미래세대디지털교육혁신이끈다14일오후을지로본점에서열린하나은행과 단꿈아이의콘텐츠제휴에관한업무협약식에서 이호성하나은행장(오른쪽)와설민석단꿈아이대표이사가업무협약을체결했다고밝혔다./사진=하나은행e스포츠STN을만나다.류승우기자┃하나은행이초등교육플랫폼'단꿈아이'와손잡고미래세대를위한디지털교육생태계구축에나섰다.금융과교육을결합한이번협약은단순한콘텐츠제휴를넘어,ESG경영의일환으로청소년교육지원과디지털포용을실천하는행보다.동시에하나금융그룹이운영하는대전하나시티즌과하나은행여자농구단,그리고축구국가대표팀후원을통해스포츠ESG까지병행하며'미래세대성장과사회적책임'을실천하는대표금융기관으로자리매김하고있다.미래세대위한금융-교육융합프로젝트하나은행(은행장이호성)은14일서울을지로본점에서초등교육전문플랫폼'단꿈e'를운영하는㈜단꿈아이(대표설민석·장군공동대표)와전략적업무협약(MOU)을체결했다.이번협약은금융권최초의독점제휴로,'금융과교육을하나로'라는슬로건아래미래세대에게새로운디지털교육문화경험을제공하기위해마련됐다.하나은행은자사대표앱'하나원큐'의놀이터페이지에서역사스토리텔러설민석의「고전명작해설」영상을,알파세대금융플랫폼'아이부자'에서는수학강사정승제의「초등수학강의」를제공한다.이를통해학부모와아이들이동시에즐길수있는학습환경을구축,금융플랫폼이단순한거래수단을넘어교육과성장을지원하는공간으로진화하도록했다.이호성하나은행장은"이번협약은금융이교육과만나새로운가치를창출하는첫걸음"이라며"손님중심의차별화된경험혁신으로미래성장동력을적극확보하겠다"고밝혔다.ESG실천의확장…교육·환경·스포츠로이어지는사회적가치하나은행은이번단꿈아이협약을단순한디지털협력에그치지않고,ESG(환경·사회·지배구조)경영의일환으로평가하고있다.하나은행은이미지난2월한국조폐공사와협력해폐지폐를활용한친환경굿즈를제작하는등사회적가치창출을위한프로젝트를추진해왔다.이번교육콘텐츠제휴또한미래세대의금융·교육접근성을높여'지속가능한사회'를위한포용적금융의한축을담당하게된다.은행관계자는"미래세대를위한교육지원은ESG중'S(사회)'가치실현의핵심축"이라며"디지털플랫폼을통해아이들과학부모모두가혜택을누릴수있는환경을만들겠다"고전했다.스포츠를통한ESG실천…하나금융그룹의'진짜사회공헌'하나은행은금융뿐아니라스포츠를매개로한ESG실천에서도업계를선도하고있다.하나금융그룹은대전하나시티즌(프로축구단)과하나은행여자농구단을운영하며,스포츠를통한지역사회연계와청소년체육활성화에기여하고있다.또한1998년부터대한민국축구국가대표팀의공식후원은행으로활동하며,한국축구발전의든든한후원자로자리해왔다.특히하나은행은K리그전체타이틀스폰서로서2028년까지장기후원을이어가며'스포츠를통한사회적책임실천'이라는명확한방향성을제시하고있다.이러한활동은단순한마케팅을넘어,스포츠를통한국민정서함양과지역상생,그리고청소년꿈지원이라는ESG경영의진정성을보여주는사례로평가받는다.하나은행의이번단꿈아이제휴는'금융이곧교육이고,스포츠가곧사회공헌'이라는새로운패러다임을제시한다.금융권최초로교육콘텐츠와디지털플랫폼을결합한하나은행은,미래세대의성장을돕는ESG실천기업으로서금융의역할을새롭게정의하고있다.교육·환경·스포츠를잇는이'세갈래ESG실천'이하나은행의미래경쟁력으로이어질지주목된다.※STN뉴스보도탐사팀제보하기당신의목소리가세상을바꾸고,당신의목소리가권력보다강합니다.STN뉴스는오늘도진실만을지향하며여러분의소중한제보를기다립니다.▷전화:1599-5053▷이메일:[email protected]▷카카오톡:@stnnews/STN뉴스=류승우기자[email protected]

사진=국민체육진흥공단제공서울올림픽기념국민체육진흥공단(이사장하형주,이하체육공단)이세계적인산악인엄홍길대장을홍보대사로위촉했다.제63회스포츠의날인15일올림픽회관에서열린위촉식에는하형주이사장을비롯한체육공단임직원이모여산악레전드인엄홍길대장의홍보대사위촉을축하하는시간을가졌다.이로써엄홍길대장은체육공단에서운영하는다양한공익사업을널리알리며국민모두가즐기는스포츠를위해앞장설예정이다.엄홍길대장은지난2007년세계최초로해발8000m급16좌등정에성공하며청룡장등많은체육훈장을수훈했으며,2019년에는스포츠영웅으로헌액되기도했다.또한,지난해5월에는한국-네팔수교50주년을기념해주갈원정대장으로서6591m의히말라야주갈1봉을세계최초로등정했다.현재는엄홍길휴먼재단상임이사,한국외국어대학교석좌교수,대한산악연맹자문위원등으로활동하고있으며,17년간네팔히말라야오지에20개의휴먼스쿨,병원,다목적체육관등을건립했다.특히,셰르파의자녀들을위한장학금과교사의급여를지원하는등세계산악계발전은물론나눔과봉사의가치실현을위한다양한활동을이어가고있다.엄홍길대장은“체육공단의홍보대사를맡게되어매우영광스럽게생각한다”라며“앞으로큰책임감을가지고국민들의건강증진과체육공단의다양한사업홍보를위해앞장설것”이라고소감을밝혔다.하형주이사장도“도전과긍지,나눔의삶으로우리국민에게큰감동을전하고계신엄홍길대장님과함께하게된것은큰영광”이라며“앞으로체육공단의홍보대사로서국민에게희망과감동을전할수있는다양한활동을기대한다”고화답했다.사진=국민체육진흥공단제공

이제검증작업은끝나간다.조금씩정예멤버로문을좁히고있다.뉴스1[파이낸셜뉴스]패배의공포는승리를향한갈망만큼이나강한감정이다.그감정을단시간에극복하는일은예상보다매우힘들고값진일이다.브라질전0-5대패,파라과이전2-0승리.결과만놓고본다면단순한1승1패지만,사실결과는썩만족스럽지못하다.일본이브라질에3-2로승리했다는것이더욱이런감정을부추긴다.이번10월A매치2연전은단순한친선경기가아니었다.2026북중미월드컵조별리그를미리시뮬레이션하는목적이었다.홍명보감독스스로“1차전완패후2차전반등역량확인”을이번평가전의주요과제로설정했을정도다.결과물은절반의합격정도다.그중굳이성과를꼽아본다면인상적인변화는‘가용인원의다변화'다.브라질전에서의졸전이후,파라과이전에선선발라인업중8명이교체됐다.이전술적결단은전반15분엄지성의선제골로곧바로결과를가져왔고,후반30분이강인의패스를받은오현규의추가골까지이어지며승부에쐐기를박았다.두골모두2000년대생공격수들의합작품이라는점은'세대교체'측면에서도상징성이크다.이는‘손흥민의존도’를줄이고,상대수비에예측불가능성을심는데도움이된다.지난14일서울마포구서울월드컵경기장에서열린하나은행초청축구국가대표팀친선경기대한민국과파라과이경기후반황인범이돌파를하고있다.뉴시스둘째,사상첫포트2진입청신호다.현재대표팀의순위는22위.12월월드컵조추첨을앞두고포트2를유지하려면11월A매치2연전도성과를내야한다.브라질전완패로3.44점이깎였지만,파라과이전승리로2.08점을회복했다.이는결과적으로순위를한계단끌어올리며포트2수성가능성이높아졌다.셋째,스리백전술의명암분석이다.홍명보감독은지난9월A매치에서스리백으로성과를내며본선주력플랜으로점찍었으나,브라질전에서는개인기에무력화됐다.실제로파라과이전에서는스리백을포기하고포백으로돌아가승리를챙겼다.이과감한전환은전술실험에서‘선택과집중’이중요하다는메시지를던졌다.대한민국남자축구국가대표팀홍명보감독이파라과이와A매치평가전을앞둔지난12일오후경기도고양시일산서구고양종합운동장보조구장에서생각에잠겨있다.뉴스1물론브라질전참패는결코가볍게넘길일이아니다.특히일본이같은팀을상대로사상첫역전승을거두며실리를챙긴것은뼈아픈대목이다.하지만그런충격속에서파라과이전승리의‘복원력’또한매우중요한부분이다.중요한것은결국본선이다.이제남은11월A매치2연전,포트2사수와함께전술정비의마지막점검이필요하다.

[WC아시아4차예선]카타르·사우디본선행,UAE·이라크는PO로추락살떨리는4차예선에서끝내웃은사령탑은르나르와로페테기감독이었다.전세계대륙에서2026년북중미월드컵진출관련소식이들려오고있는상황속드디어아시아대표로나갈8명의주인공이가려졌다.직전6월A매치를끝으로3차예선에서는우리대표팀을비롯해이란·우즈베키스탄·요르단·일본·호주가차례로확정을지었고,4차예선서는카타르와사우디아라비아가직행권2장을손에넣었다.북중미대회부터참가국수가32팀에서48개국으로늘어남에따라새롭게신설된4차예선은중립지역에서6개팀이A조와B조로나뉘어싱글풀리그(팀당3경기)를치른뒤각조1위는본선행,각조2위는아시아지역플레이오프에진출하는구조다.2위팀은오는11월A매치서2번의맞대결을펼쳐내년열리는대륙간플레이오프로향하게된다.'역대급사령탑대진'서웃은로페테기이처럼무조건1위를차지해야만하는상황속사령탑들의대진도눈에띄었다.가장먼저A조에서는스페인명장훌렌로페테기를내세운카타르를시작으로오만은백전노장카를로스케이로스감독을선임했다.또UAE(아랍에미리트)는파울루벤투감독후임으로과거K리그수원삼성에서활약한바가있는올라로이누를선장으로뽑았다.팀전력역시카타르가피파랭킹53위,UAE가67위,오만이78위로그누가이기고월드컵본선에올라간다고하더라도이상하지않았던대진이었다.그렇게시작된치열한전투,최종승장은로페테기감독이었다.로페테기감독의카타르는1차전서오만의케이로스감독특유의수비조직력에막히며0-0무승부를기록,불안한출발을선보였으나이는기우였다.15일오전2시(한국시간)자심빈하마드경기장서열린UAE와최종전서2-1승리를쟁취하며활짝웃었다.치열했던공방전속후반2분아피프의크로스를부알렘쿠키가머리로선제골을기록했고,이어후반28분에도페드로미구엘이쐐기득점을완성하며승기를잡았다.추가시간UAE는술탄아딜이오른발로만회골을기록했으나때는너무늦었었다.결국로페테기감독은1승1무승점4점으로조1위를확정하면서북중미월드컵본선직행권을손에넣는데성공했다.또이를통해지난2018러시아월드컵서실추됐던명예를회복할기회도잡았다.당시스페인대표팀을이끌고본선행을확정했지만,조별리그직전레알마드리드선임소식이들려왔고협회는로페테기감독을경질하는해프닝이있었다.사령탑으로서본선을밟지못한로페테기는레알마드리드-세비야-울버햄튼-웨스트햄을거쳐이제카타르대표팀을이끌고고대하던월드컵무대를밟을수있게됐다.로페테기감독은경기후카타르축구협회인터뷰를통해"이목표를이루기위해정말열심히노력했는데믿음을가지고있었고결국해냈다.카타르와팬들,선수들에게자랑스러운순간"이라며감격했다.한편,올라노이누감독은아시아플레이오프로추락했고,케이로스감독은1무1패조최하위로탈락을피할수가없었다.'2회연속본선행'이끈르나르,고개숙인아놀드·클루이베르트A조운명이모두결정된가운데B조에서도사령탑들의치열한수싸움이벌어졌다.B조서는중립지역개최지인사우디아라비아를비롯해이라크·인도네시아가합류해남은1장직행권을두고싸웠다.사우디는3차예선도중이탈리아명장인로베르토만치니를내치고,직전카타르월드컵본선진출을이끈에르베르나르를선임했다.이라크는호주대표팀을이끌고카타르월드컵16강진출이라는성과를낸그레이엄아놀드를사령탑으로앉혔다.인도네시아는신태용감독을중도경질하며선임한세계적인축구스타패트릭클루이베르트체제아래본선직행을노렸다.아시아지역예선에서보지못한역대급네임드감독들의싸움속최종승자는르나르였다.르나르감독은사우디를이끌고1차전서클루이베르트의인도네시아를상대로2-3접전끝에승점3점을따내며유리한고지를선점했다.첫경기서패배한인도네시아는12일열린이라크와의2차전서도1-0으로무너지며조최하위를확정,본선진출의꿈은좌절됐다.그렇게1차전서승리를거둔이라크를마주한사우디는최종전서무승부만기록해도됐었다.바로다득점에서이라크보다앞서있는상황이었기때문.사우디는15일오전3시45분(한국시간)에열린이라크와최종전서영리한경기운영으로흐름을주도했고,단유효슈팅1개로묶는데성공하며무실점무승부를기록하면서본선직행의꿈을이루게됐다.이로써르나르감독은사우디를이끌고2회연속본선진출에성공하는대기록을작성했다.르나르감독은"결코쉬운여정은아니었지만,우리는해냈다"라며활짝웃었다.아쉽게플레이오프로추락한이라크아놀드감독은경기종료후"아시아축구연맹이중립개최를약속했음에도우리는상대홈팬들의함성속에서싸웠다"라며강력한불만을드러냈다.이어"한골도내주지않고도탈락했고,다득점차이였다.아직남은플레이오프가있으니,끝까지싸울것이다"라며각오를다졌다.한편,아쉽게4차예선을뚫어내지못한UAE·이라크는내달A매치일전서홈앤드어웨이방식으로플레이오프일전을치르게된다.

▲14일남아프리카공화국에서열린월드컵2026C조예선경기에서남아프리카공화국의쿨리소무다우(오른쪽)와르완다의길버트무시샤가경기하고있다.

코트디부아르,남아프리카공화국,세네갈이2026국제축구연맹(FIFA)북중미월드컵아프리카예선에서조1위를확정짓고본선행티켓을손에넣었습니다.

이로써앞서출전을확정한모로코,튀니지,이집트,알제리,가나,카보베르데를포함해아프리카9개국이월드컵본선무대에오르게됐습니다.

본선참가국이32개에서48개로늘어난이번북중미월드컵의아프리카예선은6개국씩9개조로나뉘어치러지고,각조1위가본선에직행합니다.

이후2위팀중성적이좋은4개팀이벌이는플레이오프를통과한한팀은대륙간플레이오프에나서마지막으로본선행에도전하게됩니다.

2위팀중상위네팀은가봉,콩고민주공화국,카메룬,나이지리아로추려졌다.이들은다음달플레이오프에서맞붙어대륙간플레이오프에나설단한팀을가리게됩니다.

코트디부아르(FIFA랭킹44위)는오늘(15일)코트디부아르아비장의스타드올랭피크알라산우아타라에서열린케냐(111위)와의2026FIFA북중미월드컵아프리카예선F조최종전홈경기에서3대0으로이겼습니다.

전반7분프랑크케시에(알아흘리)의선제골로앞선코트디부아르는후반9분얀디오만데(라이프치히)의추가골로승부를더기울였고,후반40분아마드(맨체스터유나이티드)의쐐기골을엮어완승했습니다.

이로써코트디부아르는8승2무,승점26으로조1위를차지했습니다.

코트디부아르가월드컵본선에진출하는것은이번이네번째이며,2014년브라질월드컵이후12년만입니다.

코트디부아르와같은F조에속한가봉(79위)은승점에서밀려조2위로아프리카예선을마무리했습니다.

가봉은같은날부룬디(141위)를안방으로불러들여2대0으로이겼습니다.

미국메이저리그사커(MLS)로스앤젤레스(LA)FC에서손흥민과함께뛰는공격수드니부앙가는이날선발로나서서결승골을도우며팀승리에힘을보탰습니다.

가봉은8승1무1패(승점25)를기록하고도코트디부아르에승점1이뒤져아쉽게플레이오프에나서게됐습니다.

C조에서는남아프리카공화국(55위)이승점3감점징계를딛고1위에올라2010년자국대회이후16년만에월드컵본선진출에성공했습니다.

남아공은이날열린최종전홈경기에서르완다(127위)를3대0으로제압했습니다.

탈렌트음바타가킥오프5분만에선제골을터뜨렸고,전반26분오스윈아폴리스가추가골을보탰습니다.후반27분에는에비던스막고파가쐐기골을넣어승부에마침표를찍었습니다.

앞서월드컵예선5차전에서남아공은대회규정상경고누적으로경기를뛸수없었던미드필더테보호모코에나를선발출전시켰다가승점삭감징계를받았습니다.

최종성적5승3무2패,승점18을기록한남아공은이날승리로조2위에서1위로올라서며,승점17을쌓은나이지리아와베냉을1점차로따돌렸습니다.

나이지리아(45위)는같은날열린베냉(93위)과의최종전에서빅터오시멘(튀르키예갈라타사라이)의해트트릭활약에힘입어4대0완승하고플레이오프진출권을따냈습니다.

조1위를달리던베냉은본선행을눈앞에두고패해아쉬움을삼켜야했습니다.

'아프리카강호'B조세네갈(18위)도최종전에서모리타니(110위)를4대0으로꺾고1위로본선티켓을거머쥐었습니다.

리버풀출신공격수사디오마네(알나스르)가전반추가시간2분,후반4분에연속골을몰아치며승리에앞장섰고,일리망은디아예(잉글랜드에버턴)와아비브디알로(프랑스메스)가뒤이어차례로득점하며승부에쐐기를박았습니다.

세네갈은이번대회로3회연속본선에진출하며,통산네번째월드컵무대를밟게됐습니다.

이로써2026북중미월드컵본선에진출할48개국중28개국이정해졌습니다.

아프리카축구연맹(CAF)소속9개국을포함해대회개최국인캐나다,멕시코,미국과유럽축구연맹(UEFA)의잉글랜드,오세아니아축구연맹(OFC)의뉴질랜드가본선행을확정했습니다.

또한,대한민국,호주,이란,일본,요르단,카타르,사우디아라비아,우즈베키스탄아시아축구연맹(AFC)소속8개국과아르헨티나,브라질,콜롬비아,에콰도르,파라과이,우루과이남미축구연맹(CONMEBOL)소속6개국도출전권을확보했습니다.

(사진=AP,연합뉴스)

엄홍길대장(오른쪽)과하형주국민체육진흥공단이사장.국민체육진흥공단제공산악인엄홍길대장이국민체육진흥공단홍보대사로뛴다.체육공단은제63회스포츠의날인15일서울송파구올림픽회관에서하형주이사장등이참석한가운데엄홍길대장을홍보대사로위촉했다.엄홍길대장은체육공단에서운영하는다양한공익사업을널리알리며모든국민이즐기는스포츠를위해앞장설예정이다.엄홍길대장은2007년세계최초로해발8천ｍ급16좌등정에성공하며청룡장등많은체육훈장을수훈했으며,2019년에는스포츠영웅으로헌액되기도했다.지난해5월에는한국-네팔수교50주년을기념해주갈원정대장으로서6천591ｍ의히말라야주갈1봉을세계최초로등정했다.현재는엄홍길휴먼재단상임이사,한국외대석좌교수,대한산악연맹자문위원등으로활동하고있으며,17년간네팔히말라야오지에20개의휴먼스쿨,병원,다목적체육관등을건립했다.특히,셰르파의자녀들을위한장학금과교사의급여를지원하는등세계산악계발전은물론나눔과봉사의가치실현을위한다양한활동을이어가고있다.엄홍길대장은"체육공단홍보대사로서큰책임감을가지고국민들의건강증진과체육공단의다양한사업홍보를위해앞장설것"이라고소감을전했다.안희수기자

▲엄홍길대장(오른쪽)과하형주국민체육진흥공단이사장

산악인엄홍길대장이국민체육진흥공단홍보대사로뜁니다.

체육공단은제63회스포츠의날인오늘(15일)서울송파구올림픽회관에서하형주이사장등이참석한가운데엄홍길대장을홍보대사로위촉했습니다.

엄홍길대장은체육공단에서운영하는다양한공익사업을널리알리며모든국민이즐기는스포츠를위해앞장설예정입니다.

엄홍길대장은2007년세계최초로해발8천ｍ급16좌등정에성공하며청룡장등많은체육훈장을수훈했으며,2019년에는스포츠영웅으로헌액되기도했습니다.

지난해5월에는한국-네팔수교50주년을기념해주갈원정대장으로서6천591ｍ의히말라야주갈1봉을세계최초로등정했습니다.

현재는엄홍길휴먼재단상임이사,한국외대석좌교수,대한산악연맹자문위원등으로활동하고있으며,17년간네팔히말라야오지에20개의휴먼스쿨,병원,다목적체육관등을건립했습니다.

특히,셰르파의자녀들을위한장학금과교사의급여를지원하는등세계산악계발전은물론나눔과봉사의가치실현을위한다양한활동을이어가고있습니다.

엄홍길대장은"체육공단홍보대사로서큰책임감을가지고국민들의건강증진과체육공단의다양한사업홍보를위해앞장설것"이라고소감을전했습니다.

(사진=국민체육진흥공단제공,연합뉴스)

▲시애틀이ALDS5차전에서연장15회혈투끝에디트로이트를꺾었다.

열기를내뿜은미국프로야구메이저리그(MLB)포스트시즌이15년만에가장높은관심을끌고있는것으로확인됐습니다.

AP통신은오늘(15일)올가을와일드카드시리즈와디비전시리즈평균TV시청자수는433만명으로지난해보다30%증가했다고전했습니다.

이같은수치는2010년이후15년만에최고기록입니다.

지난11일시애틀매리너스와디트로이트타이거스가연장15회혈투를벌인아메리칸리그디비전시리즈(ALDS)5차전은872만명이시청한것으로집계됐습니다.

토론토블루제이스와뉴욕양키스의디비전시리즈4경기평균시청자는미국과캐나다에서765만명을기록했습니다.

4개의디비전시리즈평균시청자수는미국내에서만작년보다17%증가한417만명으로2011년이후최고치를기록했습니다.

메이저리그는양리그챔피언십시리즈(LCS)와월드시리즈에서는시청자수가더욱늘어날것으로기대합니다.

지난13일열린시애틀과토론토블루제이스의아메리칸리그챔피언십시리즈(ALCS)1차전평균시청자수는531만명으로지난해뉴욕양키스와클리블랜드가디언스의ALCS1차전보다32%증가했습니다.

(사진=AP,연합뉴스)