Wang Siyu (C) of China goes for a layup during the women's basketball final against Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- China successfully defended its title in the women's basketball with a 74-72 victory over arch-rival Japan at the Asian Games here on Thursday.
China, who sits second in the world rankings, surged to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter. After Japan tied at 72-all, Wang Siyu made a crucial layup in the final seconds to help China pocket its seventh gold at the continental multi-sports showpiece.
China has been riding high in women's basketball over the past two years, with the Asiad gold coming on the heels of its runner-up at the FIBA Women's World Cup last year, and the FIBA Women's Asia Cup title in July. ■
