South Korea break Japan hearts to win Asian Games basketball gold

NAGOYA, Japan — South Korea broke Japanese hearts on Sunday when they took Asian Games men's basketball gold with a 67-57 triumph in the final in Nagoya.

Lee Hyun-jun top-scored for the Koreans with 27 points, including five three-pointers, in a scrappy victory helped by some wayward Japan shooting.

"I'm unbelievably happy," Lee said. "More than anything I'm extremely grateful to my teammates."

There was a raucous atmosphere at a packed IG Arena where every Japan score threatened to raise the roof and every South Korean free-throw attempt was barracked, despite a good contingent of away fans.

"We could hear the voices of the fans who came here from Korea very clearly, and I think their support gave us strength," Lee added.

The teams were locked 28-28 after an attritional first half but the more experienced Koreans started fast in the third period and stretched out to a 55-47 lead which proved too much for Japan to claw back.

There were emotional scenes at the final buzzer as the Korean players celebrated with their Latvian coach Nikolajs Mazurs.

"Our foreign coach, he went through a great deal. He came here alone, without his own full coaching staff, to work in a foreign country," said Lee, who could not hold back the tears at the end.

"I always seem to cry when I win a championship. The feeling of winning is so wonderful."

It was South Korea's first basketball gold since Incheon in 2014 and their fourth in Asian Games history.

Ren Kanechika was Japan's leading scorer with 13 points.

"I'm disappointed because we were aiming to win gold," said Kanechika. "We slumped in the second half."

"Korea came out strong and we lost to that, and we really respect their fight."

Iran withstood a late fightback to beat China 79-70 and win bronze.

China led 31-29 at half-time, but Iran took charge in the third quarter to lead 55-46 and held on to spark ecstatic celebrations.

"To be honest with you I'm just speechless," said 202cm (6ft 8in) power forward Arsalan Kazemi, who in 2013 was the first Iranian to be drafted in the NBA by the Washington Wizards, but never made a regular season appearance.

"The pressure that we had on us is just out of this world," he added.

"Not a lot of athletes can say that, with the way that it has been since almost six months ago, what we have been through, what our families have been through," he said of the war at home.

"I just congratulate the people of Iran because they deserve much better.

"And I think my teammates and I put our hearts out on the court today just to get this win and make them happy."

abtestabtest Marcial skips Asian Games after triumphant US pro fight By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 8 hours ago No Eumir Marcial for this year’s Asian Games. Sports Raptors confirm Leonard return after Clippers salary cap scandal 4 days ago The Toronto Raptors have finally acquired Kawhi Leonard back from the Los Angeles Clippers, in a trade that was delayed due... Sports UAAP Player of the Week Nnoruka leads UP’s flawless start 7 hours ago The beloved “Maroon 5” may have already moved on from the collegiate ranks but the University of the Philippines... Sports Clippers owner accepts NBA penalties over Leonard salary cap violations 6 days ago Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said he will comply with the NBA's punishment even though he disagrees with... Sports Nagoya asiad unwraps By Nelson Beltran | 1 day ago After 32 long years, the Asian Games is back in Japan, with the city of Nagoya formally welcoming today over 15,000 athletes... Sports Latest More in Sports Saclag, Alvarez start strong in Asiad bids Alvarez guaranteed of Asian Games MMA medal after KO win over Indonesian foe Kenyans assert prowess in One Clark International Marathon No. 3 seed Eala gets first-round bye in Singapore Open abtest Costly miscues scuttle Tabuena’s Taiwan bid By Jan Veran | 6 hours ago Miguel Tabuena gave himself a genuine shot at a spectacular finish with a blistering 62, only to see his title hopes unravel... Sports King Carlos back where it all began By Nelson Beltran | 8 hours ago This is where it all started, and this is where Carlos Yulo seeks to complete a full circle. Sports Arances, Caluya earn Elite honors; Ramoga, Lim shine in Damosa 5150 8 hours ago Edgie Arances and Anisha Caluya turned in standout performances to claim top honors in the Filipino Elite Category of the... Sports Manday repulses Mendoza, Fuentes, Pascual, Cruz in MPBL 3-Point Shootout 8 hours ago Jeff Manday of Caloocan Batang Kankaloo displayed his shooting prowess on Sunday’s MPBL 3-Point Shootout, but not after... Sports Recommended Next witness to testify on Sara business interests, government deals 22 hours ago The House prosecution panel is preparing witnesses to testify on Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests,... SportsBENJAMIN TOLOSA JR. More time needed to resolve impeach vote threshold 22 hours ago The impeachment court trying Vice President Sara Duterte may defer resolving the voting threshold question to give senators... SportsIMPEACHMENTSARA DUTERTE Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin 1 day ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department... SportsSENATESENATOR President Marcos has no plans to resign – Palace 1 day ago President Marcos has no plans of stepping down, Malacañang said yesterday, after the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte... SportsMALACAñANGRESIGNS House prosecutors defend statements on impeachment September 19, 2026 - 12:00am Members of the House prosecution panel have maintained that their statements on the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte were not about the merits of the case, but merely on procedure and summary...r SportsIMPEACHMENT next Recommended Next witness to testify on Sara business interests, government deals The House prosecution panel is preparing witnesses to testify on Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests, possible government contracts and registered firearms for this week’s impeachment hearings. 22 hours ago BENJAMIN TOLOSA JR. More time needed to resolve impeach vote threshold The impeachment court trying Vice President Sara Duterte may defer resolving the voting threshold question to give senators more time to study the issue, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday. 22 hours ago IMPEACHMENT SARA DUTERTE Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department of Transportation policy requiring key DOTr officials to experience the daily troubles of the riding public firsthand. 1 day ago SENATE SENATOR President Marcos has no plans to resign – Palace President Marcos has no plans of stepping down, Malacañang said yesterday, after the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte said she is ready to replace him in case he resigns. 1 day ago MALACAñANG RESIGNS House prosecutors defend statements on impeachment Members of the House prosecution panel have maintained that their statements on the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte were not about the merits of the case, but merely on procedure and summary of the proceedings.  1 day ago IMPEACHMENT OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!