By Kang Seung-woo
The odd-numbered years lack such eye-catching tournaments as the World Cup, the Olympics or the European Football Championships.
But 2013 can still offer thrilling events including the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the final qualifiers for the Brazil World Cup.
The WBC, baseball’s only worldwide international competition, will lead start March 2.
Korea, which reached the penultimate round in 2006 and lost to Japan in extra innings of the 2009 final, is chasing its first title. Although Major League players Choo Shin-soo and Ryu Hyun-jin and Korea Baseball Organization stars Kim Kwang-hyun, the SK Wyverns left-handed pitcher, and reliable veteran pitcher Bong Jung-keun of the LG Twins will miss the tournament, sluggers Lee Dae-ho of the Orix Buffaloes, Kim Tae-kyun of the Hanwha Eagles and Lee Seung-yeup will lead the national team.
“I will try my best to show Korean baseball is still strong,” Lee said.
Korea is grouped with Australia, Taiwan and the Netherlands in Pool B.
While the WBC is taking place, Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na will perform at the world championships from March 10 to 17, in Ontario, Canada, chasing her second world title.
The 22-year-old, who ended her nearly two-year sabbatical in July, staged a successful comeback at last month’s NRW Trophy in Germany, posting the season’s best total score of 201.61 points.
Although Kim, the 2009 world champion, has to compete in a national tryout this weekend to qualify for the world championships, she is expected to progress without a hitch.
In Canada, she is likely to spark her old rivalry with Japan’s Mao Asada, who came through to win the national title last month and qualified for the annual competition.
Also in March, the final round of World Cup qualification will resume.
The Taeguk Warriors, seeking an eighth-straight World Cup appearance, will host Qatar on March 26 and June features matches against Lebanon, Uzbekistan and Iran in that order.
Choi Kang-hee’s side is currently second in Group A with seven points after two wins, one loss and one draw behind Uzbekistan on eight.
Whether it can book a place in the finals appears to depend on players from overseas leagues.
Son Heung-min has established himself as Hamburg’s main striker with six goals, while Koo Ja-cheol of Augsburg has also been impressive in Germany’s top flight.
Ki Sung-yueng of Swansea City, who helped Korea to a bronze medal at the London Olympics last year, and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong are finding their rhythm in England.
The top two from each of two groups will advance to Brazil, with the two third-placed teams entering a playoff for a chance to qualify through a two-leg intercontinental tie with the fifth-placed country from South America.
Korean Major League players Choo and Ryu will start their new season in April and the World Rowing Championships will take place in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province in August.
In September, the Presidents Cup pitting U.S. players against their international counterparts minus Europe will be held in Dublin, Ohio. Korea’s K. J. Choi will be a likely candidate to join the side to take on Team America.