South Korea claimed the gold medal in women’s basketball at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 26, holding off a fierce second-half charge from Japan to secure a 75-70 victory in the final.
The championship game featured a dramatic momentum swing. South Korea dominated the opening two quarters to build a 19-point lead by halftime. However, Japan mounted a significant comeback, overwhelming the defense with an offensive surge late in the third quarter and continuing the pressure into the fourth. With just 15 seconds remaining on the game clock, Japan sliced the deficit down to two points at 70-72 before South Korea secured the win by converting crucial free throws down the stretch.
South Korea’s balanced attack was paced by Lee Hailan, who tallied a game-high 24 points to go with nine rebounds. Teammate Kang Lee-seul added 21 points and seven rebounds. On the Japanese side, Haru Oowaki recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
“We had two core players who couldn’t join us for this tournament, and as far as I know, not many people expected us to win gold before it started,” Kang Lee-seul said after the victory. “Even we had our doubts. But I think through this Asian Games, we truly embodied the essence of a team sport. That unity is ultimately what carried us to the gold medal.”
Japan’s Hiraku Tanaka reflected candidly on the narrow defeat after earning the silver medal. “I entered the starting lineup and knew the responsibility on my shoulders,” Tanaka said. “Everyone on the team was giving their absolute all. Seeing their effort, I wanted to push myself harder, but I have to seriously reflect on my own performance. I honestly feel like I don’t even have the qualification to shed tears.”
South Korea captured gold medals in both the men’s and women’s competitions at the Asian Games, while Japan collected both silver medals.
China Secures Bronze Behind Chen’s Scoring Surge
In the bronze medal match earlier on September 26, China rebounded from its semifinal defeat to defeat Chinese Taipei 77-64. Head coach Gong Luming’s squad adjusted its approach after struggling from beyond the arc against South Korea, deliberately increasing its three-point attempts, though early shooting woes left the game tied at 36-36 at halftime after a 1-for-10 start from long range.
China raised its defensive intensity in the third quarter, directing its offense through Zhang Ziyu in the paint. Utilizing efficient baseline inbound plays centered around Zhang, China surged ahead to establish a double-digit lead. Although Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yuting orchestrated a late-game push, China sealed the victory in the fourth quarter as Luo Xinyu, Tang Ziting, and Zhang Manman connected on consecutive three-pointers.
Chen Mingling led China with 20 points, while Zhang Ziyu contributed 14 points and Luo Xinyu chipped in 12. Lin Yuting paced Chinese Taipei with 15 points.
Addressing reporters after securing the bronze, Gong reflected on the tournament’s broader trajectory for his roster. “For this young team, we had a shared goal that we all worked toward together,” Gong said. “Although we leave with some regrets, I believe the players will take away valuable lessons from both the World Cup and the Asian Games.”
