May Pang's Asian Media Internet News

On June 12, 2010 South Korea won their first initial appearance FIFA World Cup game 2-0 against Greece.  Thousands of supporters dressed in red jerseys crowded the streets in high-spirited celebration, but thousands more headed to the bedroom.  After the South Korean team’s huge victory against the 2004 European champions, the citizens of South Korea also ‘rose to the occasion’ resulting in a 500% increase in condom sales.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100614/wl_asia_afp/fblwc2010korfansoffbeat

On June 12, 2010 at 7:30 AM(EST) South Korea held their first victory game at the FIFA World Cup against Greece in South Africa. The team managed to score two goals, each goal set early in each half, against their opponent (2:0). Apparently, Greece's defense was not enough for South Korea's Park Ji-soon, as he was able to run passed two of Greece's defenders and score the second goal for S.Korea.

South Korea is scheduled to play against Argentina on June 17th. Korea's fan club, the Red Devils are celebrating their victory as we speak. If South Korea continues to play they way did against Greece, the world may be soaked in a sea of red.

source: fifa.com, espn, csmonitor.com

Three time Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno has done it! On Saturday night in the 1,000-meter short-track speed skating event, he won bronze making it his seventh medal. He broke Olympian Bonnie Blair's previous record by one medal now making him the most decorated Winter Olympian in U.S. history. United States over all has received a total of 23 medals during this Olympics. Apolo now has two more events to come. Apolo, we are proud and honored to have you on our team. Go Team U.S.A.!

In watching the Olympics this year I have seen so many inspiring , triumphant stories. Some of the stories have an unbelievable surprise like Olympic figure skater, Nobunari Oda of Japan. He is a direct descendant, number 17 in line, of the daimyo Oda Nobunaga also known as the "Demon King". I could barely contain myself when I heard the commentators talk about his noble ancestry. I have read so much on feudal Japan, because I was fascinated with it. I really liked learning about the war strategies and the stories behind all the leaders of that time. I remember reading about Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi to name a few. It's thrilling to know that Nobunari Oda now skating in the Olympics is a part of ancient Japan's great history.

This has been an awesome four days of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics so far. I've been a hardcore fan of the Olympics since I was a small child and I still get excited whenever I hear the Olympics' theme song. This Olympics has had some powerful competitors and amongst them is a long list of Asian/Asian Americans who have practically been in every competition, especially  in speed skating.

American apple pie Apolo Ohno's silver medal in the 1500M final February 13 is the sixth medal he has won now making him the most successful short track athlete in history. Ohno has surpassed Eric Heiden as the most decorated male for the Winter Olympics. The gold went to Korea's Lee Jung-Su and the bronze to our very own J.R. Celski. I am extremely happy to see Celski up on his feet again after his almost tragic accident during the Olympic trials when the blade from his skate ripped his thigh almost cutting his femoral artery apart.

Figure skating has always been my most cherished sport. I watched all the pair skating these last two days on pins and needles! The jumps have always been my favorites and the skating is absolutely breath taking. In the short program Sunday night, China's couple Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo performed a flawless short program receiving record scores.  What a way for them to start the Lunar New Year! Monday night Shen and Zhao won the gold in the free skate program, the first in China's history which will make their wedding celebration that they have been holding off on even sweeter. Teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China took the silver home for the free skate program.

Congratulations to all the winners and keep it up my Asian people!

Bollywood's well known actor Akshay Kumar and star of the new Bollywood film "De Dana Dan" reveals his sporty side. The "De Dana Dan" star is to represent India for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, Canada. [hidepost]

Akshay is scheduled to receive the famous torch by Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper on November 16th during a ceremony in Mumbai.
The games will start from January 30th to February 13th.

Congratulations to Akshay Kumar for being chosen to represent India and India's entertainment industry![/hidepost]

Korean ice skating princess, Kim Yu-na, was recently nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award by the Women's Sports Foundation. She is one of nine finalists that were named on Tuesday. [hidepost]
Kim has seen a lot of success this year, after winning the Skate America title, the Cup of China, the Four Continents Championships and the World Championships, where she was the first skater to score over 200 points under the new scoring system. She also placed second at the Grand Prix final.
Other nominees for this year are tennis player Serena Williams, golfer Lorean Ochoa, surfer Stephanie Gilmore, snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis, gymnast Courtney Kupets, swimmer Jessica Long, car racer Danica Patrick, sprinter Kerron Stewart and skier Lindsey Vonn.
The WSF is a foundation established by tennis player Billie Jean King in 1974. Each year it selects a group of the top female athletes based on the athletes' performance over a 12-month term. They then put them to public vote to choose the top one.
To vote for the top female athlete, visit www.womenssportfoundation.org and chose your favorite athlete. Voting is open until midnight Aug. 10 and the winner will be announced on Aug. 14.

Watch Kim Yu-Na Perform at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships!

[Video credit: IceSkatingSports] [/hidepost]