Japan makes history by beating China in the Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers
Photo FIBA.
Japan scores an historic win over China in the Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Japan made history with a 76-73 victory over historic rival China on the second day of the Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers. In fact, the Japanese had never beaten China in a major international basketball tournament in their 88-year history. In fact, Japan’s last victory over the Chinese in international competition came in 1936, when the Japanese defeated the Chinese 35-19 at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
The hero of the game for Japan was Yudai Baba, who scored 24 points on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc. Also of note was Joshua Hawkinson’s double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Jinqui Hu’s 23 points and 12 rebounds and Mingxuan Hu’s 20 points were not enough for China.