NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines - Japan's men's water polo team emerged victorious at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships, securing the gold medal with a decisive 17-13 win over Iran at the New Clark City Aquatics Center on Saturday night. The victory concluded an impressive championship run, with the team maintaining a perfect 6-0 record throughout the tournament. Kai Inoue, honored as the Most Valuable Player, and Sota Hombe led the charge, scoring four goals each in the final match.
According to Philippines News Agency, Japan's water polo prowess was on full display as both the men's and women's teams clinched gold medals with unbeaten records. The women's team set the stage earlier with a dominant 24-6 victory over Uzbekistan. Coach Shota Hazui, an Olympic and Asian Games veteran, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, underscoring the significance of their achievement.
In their journey to the finals, Japan's men's team showcased their strength by overcoming several opponents, including China (14-11), Saudi Arabia (23-5), Thailand (26-8), Uzbekistan (32-13), and Kazakhstan (20-10). Iran, securing their spot in the final, demonstrated formidable skill against Malaysia (34-3), Sri Lanka (34-0), Kazakhstan (12-10), Singapore (19-8), and China (7-5).
The tournament also saw Kazakhstan earning the bronze medal by defeating China with a score of 7-4. In other matches, Singapore claimed fifth place with a 15-10 win over Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia edged out Malaysia 14-13 to finish in seventh place. The event was supported by several organizations, including the MVP Sports Foundation, Pinay In Action, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission, highlighting the collective effort to promote and celebrate aquatic sports achievements in the region.