Lee Hyun-jung Posts Double-Double as S. Korea Defeats Japan to Win First Asian Games Gold in 12 Years

The South Korean men's basketball team defeated host nation Japan to claim its first Asian Games gold medal in 12 years.

Led by head coach Nikolajs Mazurs, the national team triumphed over Japan 67-57 in the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men's basketball tournament, held today at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan.

With this victory, South Korea reclaimed the top spot in Asia for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 Incheon Games, lifting its fifth Asian Games championship trophy overall (1970, 1982, 2002, 2014, and 2026).

Notably, excluding tournaments held on home soil such as Busan in 2002 and Incheon in 2014, this marks a precious away Asian Games gold medal achieved 44 years after the 1982 New Delhi Games in India.

Ace player Lee Hyun-jung, who spearheaded the team's offense throughout the tournament, led the victory in the final by posting a double-double with 27 points and 18 rebounds, while Lee Jung-hyun also contributed with 14 points and 7 assists.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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