Team China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
HANGZHOU, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China defeated Japan 24-11 to take the women's water polo gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games here on Sunday, ensuring it of a place at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The win also marked its fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal.
A total of seven teams participated in the women's water polo competition in Hangzhou, playing each other in a round-robin format. China remained undefeated in all six matches for the gold, while Japan won five matches to settle for the silver. Kazakhstan won four matches to finish third.
After winning all their previous matches by a large margin, China carried its momentum into the final clash against Japan, taking a commanding 6-1 lead in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Japan strengthened its defense and created chances at the other end. However, with some superb play from Zhang Jing, Yan Jing and goalkeeper Zhang Jiaqi, China continued to put pressure on its rivals, leading by 13-7 at half-time.
China called the shots again in the third quarter, allowing only two points from Japan, and in the final quarter, they never looked back. ■
Team China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Team China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Team China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Players of China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Team China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Players of China celebrate winning the Women's Round Robin match of Water Polo between Japan and China at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
