Korean Women's Basketball Defeats Japan Too… South Korea Achieves First Combined Men's and Women's Gold Medals in 12 Years

KO YONG-CHUL Reporter

korocamia@naver.com | 2026-09-27 10:02:25


Led by Head Coach Park Soo-ho, the South Korean women's basketball national team defeated Japan, reclaiming the Asian Games championship for the first time in 12 years.

Following the men's national team, the women's national team also claimed the gold medal, marking South Korea's first combined men's and women's basketball championship in 12 years.

On the 26th, South Korea triumphed over Japan 75-70 in the women's basketball final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

This marks the first time the South Korean women's basketball team has reached the top of the Asian Games podium in 12 years, since the 2014 Incheon Games. It is also their first away Asian Games victory in 32 years, since the 1994 Hiroshima Games.

Having advanced to the final by defeating China—featuring 220cm tall center Zhang Ziyu—in the semifinals the previous day, South Korea subdued Japan as well to complete their golden run.

A combined men's and women's basketball championship was also achieved. The men's national team claimed the gold medal on the 20th by defeating Japan 67-57 in the final, also securing their first title in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Games.

South Korea pressured Japan from the very beginning of the match. Trailing 2-3 in the first quarter, they scored 13 consecutive points, with Lee Hae-ran scoring 11 points in the first quarter alone to take a 27-15 lead.

The second quarter saw continued perimeter shooting from Kang Lee-seul and Lee Hae-ran.

Toward the end of the first half, Lee So-hee's long-range three-pointer found the net, allowing South Korea to finish the half with a commanding 19-point lead at 42-23.

Japan mounted a fierce comeback in the second half. Although South Korea maintained a double-digit margin at 63-51 thanks to Kang Lee-seul scoring 12 points solely in the third quarter, they conceded consecutive points to Japan in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 66-62 with 6 minutes and 27 seconds remaining.

With just 15 seconds left on the clock, the gap tightened further to 72-70. However, 14 seconds before the end, Kang Lee-seul successfully sank two free throws to halt Japan's chase, and South Korea successfully protected their lead until the final whistle to secure the gold medal.

Lee Hae-ran led the offense with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Kang Lee-seul contributed to the victory with 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Lee So-hee added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

WEEKLY HOT