China swept host Japan 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 on Tuesday to capture its third straight Asian Games women’s volleyball gold medal and a record-extending 10th title in the competition.
China controlled the first two sets before Japan mounted its strongest challenge in the third, only for the defending champions to close out the match 25-23.
The victory completed a demanding two-day finish for China, which had needed five sets to eliminate Thailand in Monday’s semifinals.
That semifinal carried added weight after Thailand beat China in the Asian championship final just 22 days earlier, denying the Chinese a direct berth to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
China coach Zhao Yong said after the rematch that his players’ desire had made the difference.
‘The players had the determination to win from beginning to end,’ Zhao told People’s Daily after the semifinal. ‘I think their desire to win on the court was a little stronger.’
Captain Gong Xiangyu told the same outlet that China had spent the weeks after the Asian championship defeat searching for its best form.
‘Mindset is the core factor that determines performance on the court,’ Gong said.
The turnaround ended with China repeating its 3-0 victory over the Japanese in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games final.