South Korea overcome hosts Japan to claim basketball gold

TDT | Manama

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HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa presented South Korea with their gold medals after they defeated hosts Japan 67-57 in the men’s five-on-five basketball final at the 20th Asian Games yesterday.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee vice-president and head of the kingdom’s delegation took part in the medal ceremony following a closely contested encounter between the two sides.

Also in attendance were Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board member Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Aichi Governor and organising committee president Hideaki Omura, and Fiba Asia president Dr K Govindaraj.

He congratulated the champions on their success and praised both finalists for the high standard they displayed.

“We congratulate the Korean team on winning the gold medal and Japan on the level they showed in reaching the final,” he said.

“We witnessed strong competition and excellent performances that reflect the progress of basketball across Asia.”

Bahrain also made their mark on the competition, recording their best finish in six Asian Games appearances by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.

The nationals opened their campaign with an 89-85 upset of defending champions the Philippines before suffering a 105-59 defeat to China.

They responded by overcoming Kazakhstan 101-78 to progress from Group C, but their historic run ended with a narrow 79-74 loss to Iran.