Japan’s women’s 3×3 basketball team secured the gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on the 25th, defeating the Philippines in the final at the Kinjo Futo Station temporary court in Minato Ward, Nagoya. The victory marks the country’s first Asian Games gold medal in the 3×3 discipline, capping a dramatic tournament run that began with consecutive losses in the group stage.
Tokai-Region Squad Overcomes Late Roster Changes
The championship roster featured four players with strong ties to the Tokai region of Japan. Yuki Hirashita, a 23-year-old from Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, was called up immediately before the tournament due to an injury sustained by another team member. Joining her were Fatuma Nanan Nishi (22) of Toyota Boshoku in Kariya, Haruka Yamamoto (22) of Mitsubishi Electric in Nagoya, and Sakura Horiuchi (20) of Chanson Cosmetics in Shizuoka. Minami Iju, representing Denso in Kariya, managed the team.
Following the final whistle, the four players embraced near the court, formed a circle, and lay outward in a petal-like formation to celebrate the milestone win. “It’s the best,” Hirashita said after the match. “I am truly happy that we could win the gold medal at a tournament held locally in Aichi.”
Early Struggles and Tactical Adjustments
The path to the podium nearly ended during the opening rounds. On the 21st, heavy winds disrupted Japan’s two-point shooting game—described by the team as their primary weapon—resulting in an unexpected two-loss start to the group stage. Hirashita admitted she blamed herself during the rough patch, feeling that her late addition had disrupted the team’s rhythm.
Coach Iju noted that the roster was specifically selected for character, stating that the players possessed the human qualities necessary to trust one another and unite during difficult moments. Gathering to reassess, the team adjusted its tactics. Yamamoto emphasized that their sole objective remained the gold medal, while Nishi pointed to a renewed focus on their core strengths. The tactical shift centered on high-mobility offense to maneuver around opponents and aggressive, physical defense against larger international players.
Clinching the Gold Medal in Nagoya
Japan rebounded by defeating Uzbekistan on the 23rd to finish third in their group, securing a spot in the knockout rounds. They advanced past a formidable Chinese squad in a narrow 17–16 quarterfinal victory, which restored the team’s confidence before a decisive semifinal sweep against South Korea.
In the gold medal match against the Philippines, Hirashita atoned for her early-tournament shooting struggles—where she missed all seven of her two-point attempts in the opener—by hitting three of four two-point shots. Her third conversion, secured with her family watching from the stands, brought the team to the 21-point threshold required to end the game and seal the victory.
