Aichi-Nagoya:South Korea triumphed over Japan 27-23 in the women's handball final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, securing the gold medal for the first time since 2018. This victory comes after South Korea's loss to Japan in the 2023 final at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the competition did not include a knockout stage. Instead, each of the seven participating teams played against each other once, with the final standings determining medal placements. Both South Korea and Japan entered the decisive match undefeated, each with five wins.
Goalkeeper Park Sae-young, who made 12 crucial saves, expressed immense satisfaction with the victory, describing it as a healing moment after the painful loss three years ago. Captain Kwon Han-na echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of the win given South Korea's history of dominance in the sport, having secured seven gold medals in eight previous Asian Games through 2018.
Ryu Eun-hee, a key player with six goals in the match, praised the contribution of the younger team members for their resilience and energy. She emphasized the importance of their preparation and the team's unity in achieving the gold medal. Ryu, a seasoned athlete who also played in the 2023 final, noted the team's thorough preparation and desire for revenge as pivotal to their success.