CHINA / SOCIETY
China wins over Japan for championship in Universiade women's basketball final
Published: Aug 05, 2023 11:50 PM
Photo:Cui Meng/GT

Photo:Cui Meng/GT


Team China won the championship in the women's basketball match of the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu after defeating the Japanese team in a thrilling final game on Saturday evening.

Witnessed by the full capacity of 18,000 enthusiastic spectators at the Fenghuangshan Sports Park Gymnasium, China finally defeated Japan 99-91 in a super fierce and fantastic competition.

Although the Chinese team has a strong presence inside the arc, the Japanese team showcased fast mobility and versatile strategies, continuously holding onto the score tightly until the fourth quarter.

Team China has two powerful centers: Han Xu and Liu Yutong, who respectively scored 18 points and 16 points for the team. According to the athletes' registered information on FISU, Han stands at 2.08 meters and weighs 89 kilograms, while Liu is 2.01 meters tall and weighs 110 kilograms.

"The Chinese players are very tall. It's a pity that I wasn't able to perform well myself. If there is a chance in the future, I want to play with the Chinese players more," Japan's center Tanaka Ufuoma, who played against Liu, told the Global Times after the competition.

Tanaka reacted very excitedly when being told by the Global Times that Liu, whom she played against, was a highly popular Chinese player. She praised her opponent Liu as a player who has a high level of skill, before noting she will also work hard in the future, hoping to compete with Liu again.

Chinese team player Zhang Jingyi of Beijing Normal University contributed 21 points for China, the highest in the team. She said the championship was achieved through their collective efforts.

"During training and in our private interactions, my sisters and I get along very well. We are highly united, communicate effectively on the court, and work together for the same goal - it's all very positive," said Zhang.