BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. Shenzhen to host 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup
The FIBA Regional Office - Asia announced on March 7 that the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup will be hosted in Shenzhen, China from July 13-20, 2025.
This is the fourth time for a city in China to host the region's flagship women's national team competition. The previous three were Wuhan in 2015, Qinhuangdao in 2005, and Shanghai in 1984.
The city of Shenzhen hosted the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Draw Ceremony and Group G games, and the 2004 U18 Women's Asia Cup. The city will also host the 2024 U18 Women's Asia Cup.
2. China to make World Cup finals ultimate goal: new coach Ivankovic
Branko Ivankovic, the new head coach of the Chinese men's national football team, said on March 8 that his primary goal is to help China reach the Asian qualifiers third round, with the ultimate goal of competing in the World Cup.
It was the Croatian's first appearance since being appointed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in February. He believes the new role means a big challenge, but he is confident that the team can achieve good results with everyone working together.
China is third in Group C of Asian qualifiers after beating Thailand 2-1 and then losing 3-0 to South Korea in its first two matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the next round, where 18 teams will compete for World Cup tickets.
"Our primary goal is to make the last 18, and we will work to build a strong national team. Our ultimate goal is to qualify for the World Cup," Ivankovic stated.
3. China's paddler Sun selected IOC's five female stars to watch at Paris 2024
China's table tennis player Sun Yingsha, who has been the women's singles world No. 1 since July 2022, was on the IOC's pick of five female stars to watch at Paris 2024.
The 23-year-old, the reigning women's singles world champion, is aiming to become the first table tennis athlete to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games in the singles, team, and mixed doubles events.
4. China's Yuan notches first WTA title in Austin
Eighth seed Yuan Yue downed sixth-seeded Wang Xiyu 6-4, 7-6 (4) to win her first WTA title in the all-Chinese final at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas of the United States on March 3.
Yuan, the world No. 68, spent two hours and 13 minutes and managed seven match points, to defeat 64th-ranked Wang, who came from 5-2 down to pounce back a tie-break in the second set.
With the victory, Yuan became the 15th player from the Chinese mainland to grab a WTA title. The match has also witnessed the first all-Chinese final outside Asia since Zheng Jie overtook Li Na in the 2006 Estoril championship.
5. Zhang Zhilei loses to Joseph Parker despite two knockdowns
Zhilei Zhang of China floored New Zealand's Joseph Parker twice but failed to protect the belt, as Parker outboxed the two-time Olympian to claim a majority decision in the WBO Interim World Heavyweight title fight.
The victory earned the WBO interim belt for Parker, who confirmed afterward that a rematch clause means he will face Zhang again.■
