Overcoming the 226cm Great Wall... Women's Basketball Reaches Final Today

[Anchor]

The women's basketball national team, continuing its unstoppable winning streak, has advanced to the final by defeating China, led by the 2m 26cm "human Great Wall" Zhang Ziyu. Tonight, on September 26, they will challenge for both men's and women's titles simultaneously for the first time in 12 years against Japan.

Reporter Kim Hyeong-yeol has the story.

[Reporter]

Even among the Chinese squad with an average height of 188cm, Zhang Ziyu, who towered over a head taller at 2m 26cm, showed overwhelming presence under the basket.

Even when Jin An and Lee Hae-ran, both 182cm tall, teamed up to block her, she caught the ball above their heads and easily scored.

[Push her away!]

Even when trying to push her out from under the basket, the team was overpowered and conceded close-range shots, and despite desperate defensive efforts, they gave up points along with additional free throws.

Even when outmatched in height, the Taegeuk daughters did not give up.

Heo Ye-eun and Lee So-hee consecutively landed 3-point shots, and Lee Hae-ran penetrated the paint, drawing a foul from Zhang Ziyu with her quick speed.

As Zhang Ziyu showed growing signs of fatigue, captain Kang Aiseul's scoring ignited from the middle of the fourth quarter while trailing 69-62.

Following consecutive 3-pointers and a drive to the basket, she led a 70-69 turnaround with eight straight points.

Gaining momentum, the national team saw Choi I-sam, Lee Hae-ran, and Lee So-hee successively hit perimeter shots, and calmly succeeded in free throws despite the opponent's late-game foul tactics.

When the final buzzer sounded to announce the 85-80 victory, the players all ran onto the court, hugged each other, and shared their joy.

Even without ace Park Ji-su, who was sidelined by injury, and Park Ji-hyun, who advanced to the U.S. stage, they broke a six-game losing streak against world No. 7 China, writing history by advancing both men's and women's teams to the finals together for the first time in 12 years.

[Kang Aiseul / Women's Basketball National Team Captain: It still doesn't feel real that we beat China, and I'm just so happy.]

[Lee So-hee / Women's Basketball National Team Player: Buoyed by the support, we definitely want to win the gold medal in the final and go back.]

Pulling off a major upset with tenacious defense and high-accuracy perimeter shots, the national team will challenge for both men's and women's gold medals for the first time in 12 years against host nation Japan.

(Video Editing: Lee Seung-hee, Design: Kim Han-gil)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.