[Anchor]

The women's national handball team defeated its archrival Japan to reclaim the gold medal for the first time in 8 years. Goalkeeper Park Sae-young delivered a stellar performance with 12 crucial saves.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun is reporting from the scene.

[Reporter]

Having settled for a silver medal after a crushing 10-goal defeat to Japan in the previous tournament, our players were determined for redemption in their rematch three years later.

Veteran Ryu Eun-hee opened the scoring, putting intense pressure on Japan right from the start.

As seen in the scene where Jeon Ji-yeon dove to intercept an opponent's ball and Kim Bo-eun finished it off by receiving a fast and accurate pass from Ryu Eun-hee, every player moved like clockwork.

The defense was firmly guarded by goalkeeper Park Sae-young.

She made seven saves in the first half alone, and when Japan left their goal empty to put in an attacker, she even scored a long-range goal by exploiting the gap, helping to secure a four-point lead by halftime.

Park's save show continued to dazzle in the second half.

She delivered super saves amidst adversity when Ryu Eun-hee was sidelined with a two-minute suspension, and protected the lead with another critical save when the team was chased down to a two-point margin.

Amidst Park's phenomenal performance of 12 saves and a 41 percent save rate, the national team overcame crises and sealed the victory with a breakthrough goal by Kwon Han-na.

The moment a 27-23 victory and an undefeated championship run in the tournament were confirmed, the players formed a circle and reveled in the joy of returning to the top after eight years.

[Park Sae-young / Women's National Handball Team Goalkeeper : I think it was an Asian Games gold medal achieved together through a great mix of youth and experience. The players promised each other to shake off all the regrets from Hangzhou today, and I think we were able to win because we were all of one mind.]

Sweeping 8 out of the 10 gold medals in this event's history, the women's national handball team once again proved its status as the strongest powerhouse in Asia.

Video by Won Hyung-hee