Editorial | China women again show men how to win
- Asian Cup triumph by basketball team follows success of females in volleyball and football, and comes at a time when male sport has been hit by claims of match-fixing and corruption
The thrilling win by China’s women’s basketball team on Sunday, to secure an Asian Cup triumph, was a long time coming. The nail-biting victory against Japan ended a 12- year wait. But that made the success all the sweeter. This was a landmark achievement. The Japanese team were aiming for their sixth consecutive Asian Cup before a packed crowd in Sydney. They had defeated China in the previous two finals.
China’s preparations had been hampered by injuries. The final saw Japan seize the initiative, leading by nine points at half-time. But China staged a dramatic comeback, overturning the deficit to take the lead in the third quarter. This set the stage for a tense finish and a win by 73 points to 71.
The epic victory sparked emotional scenes with at least one player in tears. It was greeted with much enthusiasm back home. The team have won the cup 12 times, a record tied with South Korea.
There will, however, not be much time for the players to revel in their success. They hope to succeed at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September. Their performance in Sydney also cements a place in the qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympics next year.
The success bodes well for the future. It was driven by young players with experience in the Women’s National Basketball Association in the United States. Player of the final and tournament Han Xu, scored 26 points and 10 rebounds in the match against Japan. Li Meng contributed 17 points. These talented players should help ensure the team progress in the years ahead.
But their achievements are also due to teamwork, determination and strong character. The Chinese Basketball Association described the players as fearless.
