China ends Japan's decade-long dominance at women's Asia Cup title

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Jul 2023 13:53

China's team scored 73-71 against Japan on Sunday at Sydney Olympic Park.

China’s Wang Siyu attempts to block a shot from Japan’s Anri Hoshi, left, during the Asia Cup women’s basketball final in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, July 2, 2023 (AP)

China won against Japan at the women's Asia Cup, ending Tokyo's dominance to the title in more than a decade.

The team scored 73-71 against Japan on Sunday at Sydney Olympic Park, marking the 12th time China earns the title since the inception of the tournaments, and the first since 2011.

Tokyo's dominance of the title dates back to 2013 in Bangkok -- the title which no other country besides China, Japan, and South Africa has won since its creation in 1965.

While Japan earned silver, Australia won bronze for the third consecutive time as it won against New Zealand 81-59.

"It feels unreal. We didn't expect we could be champions before the tournament started," said China coach Zheng Wei.

"At our training camp before the tournament, we had some problems like injuries and not every player joining us at the start of the camp. But our team has got better and better," she added. "I'm very proud of them."

Japan's coach Toru Onzuka told AFP: "We tried hard, all the players did well. We can learn from this (Chinese) team, they are a great team."

All four semi-finalists in the eight-team competition -- namely Japan, Australia, China and New Zealand -- secured a place at the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifying tournament.