As the dust settles on the fiercely contested battles at the 2024 IWBF Asia Oceania Zone Championships, the stage is now set for the pinnacle of men's wheelchair basketball in the Asia Oceania region.
Iran Secures Second Consecutive Final Spot
In a determined display, Iran crushed Japan's Paralympic dreams with a 63-48 victory. Morteza Abedi, Mohamadhassan Sayari, and Mahdi Abbasishotoryeh led the charge, each contributing double figures with 17, 16, and 12 points, respectively. Iran's performance sets the stage for an intense showdown in their second consecutive Asia Oceania Championships final.
Australia Grinds Out Narrow Victory
Facing a formidable challenge, Australia narrowly triumphed over Korea by just 5 points, sealing a 56-51 win. Bill Latham's outstanding double-double performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, played a pivotal role in the victory and helpinf Australia keep their Paris 2024 dreams alive.
Hosts Thailand Shine in 5-8 Crossover
Hosts Thailand displayed their dominance with a convincing 72-38 victory over Afghanistan in the 5-8 crossover. Kwanchai Pimkorn's hot hand, scoring 24 points and sinking 4 out of 6 threes, propelled Thailand to success. Their next challenge awaits as they face China for the 5-6 place.
Saudi Arabia's Late Rally Falls Short
A final quarter comeback proved too little, too late for Saudi Arabia as they went down to China 65-48 in the 5-8 crossover. China secures a spot to play for 5-6, while Saudi Arabia faces the battle for 7-8.
New Zealand's First Quarter Lead Fades
Despite a promising start, New Zealand couldn't maintain their lead, eventually succumbing to UAE's experience with a final score of 53-43. UAE advances to face the Philippines for 9-10, while New Zealand, finishing 11th, exits the tournament with pride, showcasing determination in their return to the Zonal Championships.
The stakes have never been higher as we approach the grand finale of the 2024 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships. The victorious team in the upcoming championship final not only claims the coveted regional title but also secures a direct ticket to the prestigious Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The journey has been intense, with each team leaving everything on the court, fueled by the aspiration of making history on the global stage. As the countdown begins for the climactic clash between Iran and Australia, the quest for Paris continues, and the wheelchair basketball world eagerly awaits to witness which team will etch their name into the annals of sporting glory.
Day 9 Schedule – Saturday 10 January
Court 1
- 10:30 – Women Bronze | AUSvs THA
- 12:30 – Men Bronze | JPN vs KSA
- 14:30 – Women Gold | CHN vs JPN
- 16:30 – Men Gold | AUS vs IRI
Court 2
- 09:00 – Men 9-11 | UAE vs PHI
- 11:00 – Men 7-8 | AFG vs KSA
- 13:00 – Men 5-6 | CHN vs THA
Catch all the action on the IWBF YouTube Channel and visit the event page for the schedule, results, and statistics.
Photo Credits – X-1 /IWBF
