South Korea's women's basketball team beats Japan for Asian Games gold, completing first men's-and-women's sweep in 12 years

South Korea's women's basketball team claimed gold at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, defeating Japan in the final to complete the country's first men's-and-women's double title in 12 years.

The team, coached by Park Su-ho, beat Japan 75-70 in the women's basketball final at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

It was South Korea's first Asian Games gold in women's basketball since the 2014 Incheon Games — and the first time the women's team had won the title at an overseas Asian Games since the 1994 Hiroshima Games, 32 years ago.

The victory followed the men's team's gold medal win on Sunday, their first in 12 years. Combined with the 3-on-3 basketball teams' haul — gold for the men and bronze for the women — South Korea had a standout tournament across the board.

South Korea seized control from the opening tip, pressing Japan relentlessly with high-energy play. Lee Hae-ran poured in 11 points in the first quarter to power a 27-15 lead, and captain Kang I-seul kept the momentum going in the second as Korea took a commanding 42-23 advantage into halftime.

Japan fought back in the second half, closing to within four points at 70-66 with 2 minutes and 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Lee Hae-ran and Lee So-hee scored at critical moments to push the lead back to 72-68, but Korea conceded two free throws with 16.6 seconds remaining to give Japan another lifeline.

Japan missed both free throws, but then scored inside with 15 seconds left to cut the deficit to 72-70. With 14 seconds on the clock and the outcome still in doubt, Kang I-seul stepped to the line and calmly converted both free throws to seal the win, sending South Korea to a thrilling gold-medal finish.