Chinese players celebrate a point in the women's volleyball final match against Japan at the Hangzhou Asian Games on October 7, 2023. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The Chinese women's volleyball team edged out arch-rival Japan with a 3-0 victory in the women's volleyball final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, on October 7 night. The win is their highest-profile international title since 2019. Later, on the night of October 7, Chinese Xiangqi player Zheng Weitong defeated compatriot Zhao Xinxin in the Xiangqi final to win the delegation's 200th gold, setting a new record at the Asian Games for Team China.

The Chinese team won the match in straight sets 25-15, 25-21 and 25-21 in one hour and 12 minutes. The victory marks the ninth gold for the Chinese women's volleyball team in the history of the Asian Games.

In the first set, Japan first took a 6-3 lead with the serve and net points, but China then took five consecutive points to enter the first technical timeout. After the timeout, the Chinese team continued to take five points in a row to pull the difference to 13-6, and finally took the first set 25-15.

In the second set, the Chinese team continued to dominate the net, securing an 8-4 lead into the first technical timeout, but after that the Japanese team caught up with a score of 18-20, forcing the Chinese coach to call a timeout. The team returned with strong attack and blocking to get two consecutive points, winning another set with 25-21.

In the third set, the Chinese women's volleyball team didn't give their opponents a chance to counterattack and took the final victory with 25-21.

"I am very happy to have won," said Team China's key player Gong Xiangyu. "The gymnasium was full and everybody was cheering for us. Thank you very much to the spectators in Hangzhou. Thank you for cheering for us. I hope that today's performance has satisfied everyone."

The atmosphere in the stadium was indeed overwhelming. The Hangzhou Normal University Gymnasium, though small in size compared to the venues for other events, was nearly full and was filled with an enthusiastic atmosphere.

Cai Bin, head coach of the Chinese women's volleyball team, said the team played very well and there were no big twists or turns. 

"We strive for victory and the best form in every game," he said. 

"I feel that we deserve this win."

China's Wang Yuanyuan said the victory was very important because now is the time to build confidence in the team. 

"This gold medal can give us more confidence. I hope we can keep giving our best in future tournaments," she said after the match. 

Yuan Xinyue spikes the ball against Japan in the women's volleyball final match at the Hangzhou Asian Games on October 7, 2023. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Women's volleyball is traditionally considered a sport that has impacted Chinese from generation to generation, as the national senior team once brought major international glory to the country, including winning Olympic gold medals in 1984, 2004 and 2016.

However, in recent years, the team has not been as dominant as it used to be. Not only did they fail to collect a World Series title, but they also missed out on direct qualification for the Paris Olympic Games in September. This Asian Games is really a moment of confidence for the Chinese women's volleyball team.

It was heartening to see that this team did not let the enthusiastic home crowd down. During the week, they performed strongly without losing a single game in six matches, sweeping their way to the gold medal.

On October 6, China beat Thailand 3-0 to set up a final showdown against Japan in the women's volleyball tournament, while Japan edged out Vietnam 3-1 (26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16) in the other semifinal.

Currently, China sits at world No.6, while Japan ranks at No.9. This lead in the ranking gives the Chinese women's volleyball team the edge it needs to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. The Chinese coach also said that the next goal is to do well in the World League and focus on reaching Paris.

Women's volleyball first became an Asian Games event at the fourth Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1962. Since its first participation in 1974, the Chinese women's volleyball team has remained in an absolutely dominant position in the Asian Games. In the past 12 Asian Games, the team has achieved a total of eight golds, three silvers and one bronze.

On October 7 night, Thailand defeated Vietnam 3-0 to claim the bronze medal for women's volleyball.