The South Korean women's basketball team, led by Coach Park Soo-ho, secured a gold medal by defeating host Japan 75-70 in the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya on September 26.
This victory marks South Korea's first championship title in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Games and follows the men's basketball team's earlier gold medal win, resulting in a historic double gold for the nation.
South Korea started strong, leading 42-23 at halftime. However, Japan rallied in the second half, narrowing the gap to 72-70 in the final moments of the fourth quarter.
The decisive moment came in the closing seconds when team captain Kang Yi-seul (Woori Bank) made two free throws, extending the lead to 74-70. Lee Hae-ran (Samsung Life) then added another free throw to finalize the score at 75-70.
Lee Hae-ran led all scorers with 24 points and 3 rebounds, while Kang Yi-seul contributed 21 points.
Coach Park Soo-ho's leadership was instrumental in the team's success. The squad, which included stars like Park Ji-soo (KB) and Park Ji-hyun (Los Angeles Sparks), began training in July with a roster of 13 players. They prepared for the Asian Games through a series of training camps and international matches, including a tour in Japan and participation in the FIBA World Cup.
However, Park Ji-hyun was unable to compete due to her team's schedule, and Park Ji-soo was sidelined after ankle surgery, leading to a final roster of 11 players for the Asian Games.
South Korea relied on speed and outside shooting, showcasing their offensive strength by defeating Malaysia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Indonesia in the earlier rounds. In the semifinals on September 25, they overcame China, known for their towering center Zhang Ziyu, with a score of 85-80.
This final marked the first Korea-Japan matchup in women's basketball at the Asian Games since the 1994 Hiroshima Games, where Korea won 77-76.
Earlier, the men's basketball team secured their gold medal on September 20 by defeating Japan, completing a remarkable achievement for South Korean basketball with a double gold medal win for the first time since the 2014 Incheon Games.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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