Team Japan pose for photos after the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship concluded as Japan claimed the title after beating China 5-0 on Sunday at Beijing's Shougang Ice Hockey Arena.
Japan took control from the outset, launching 23 shots in the first period and securing an early lead with a goal. China tightened its defense in the second period, limiting Japan's scoring chances but unable to cover the gap. In the final period, as China pushed hard to equalize, errors began to mount for the home side, allowing Japan to score four more times and claim the championship with a 5-0 victory.
Earlier on Sunday, Kazakhstan edged out South Korea 5-4 in a penalty shootout to take third place.
The tournament, which included China, Japan, South Korea and Kazakhstan, took place in a round-robin format over three days. The next edition will be hosted by Kazakhstan in 2025. ■
Zhao Qinan (R) of China vies with Kishibe Sarasa of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Yang Jinglei (R) of China vies with Ukita Rui (C) of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Qu Yue (1st R) of China vies against Yamashita Shiori of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Kong Minghui (2nd R) of China shoots over Ukita Rui (R) of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Qinan (Rear) of China vies with Koyama Remi of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Fang Xin (C) of China vies with Enomoto Yoshino of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Head coach Sami Olavi Haapanen (R) of China gives instructions during the match against Japan at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Qu Yue (C) of China vies with Sato Kohane (R) of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Qinan (R) of China vies with Kishibe Sarasa of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Li Qianhua (L) of China vies with Koyama Remi of Japan during the match at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Team Japan celebrate victory after the match against China at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Ukita Rui (L) of Japan poses with International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Luc Tardif after receiving the championship trophy for her team during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Wang Yuqing (L) of China poses with International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Luc Tardif after receiving the Most Valuable Player award during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Team Japan celebrate with the trophy during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Aida Olzhabayeva, Pernesh Ashimova and Malika Aldabergenova (from L to R) of Kazakhstan pose for photos during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Aida Olzhabayeva of Kazakhstan reacts during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Anastassiya Orazbayeva (L) of Kazakhstan poses with International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Luc Tardif after receiving the third place trophy for her team during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Yu Baiwei (C) of China poses with International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Luc Tardif (L) and IIHF vice president Aivaz Omorkanov after receiving the second place trophy for her team during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Team Japan celebrate with the trophy during the awading ceremony of 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
