Japan’s basketball team secured their spot in the upcoming Olympic Games with a decisive victory over the Cape Verde Islands, winning 80:71 during the second phase of the Mundobasket.
The standout performers in Japan’s triumph were Joshua Hawkinson, who scored 26 points, Keisei Tominaga with 22 points, and Yuki Kawamura contributing 14 points. In contrast, Eddie Tavares of the Cape Verde Islands posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Japan’s victory also means they have earned the title of the best-placed Asian team in Mundobasket, guaranteeing their participation in the upcoming Olympic Games to be held in Paris next year.
However, it was a disappointing outcome for China, led by coach Aleksandar Đordjevic. With Japan’s victory, China’s hopes of Olympic qualification were dashed, rendering the result of the match between the Philippines and China inconsequential. The Philippines emerged victorious in that encounter, defeating China with a final score of 96:75.
Prior to Japan’s success, South Sudan had already secured an Olympic berth as the best-placed African team at the World Cup, adding to the diversity of teams set to compete in Paris.
