Come to Japan next time→It's okay for us to go. Korea-Japan Women's Basketball Harmony, an all-star game that didn't exist in the world

Dec 22, 2024

Women's professional basketball all-star game held at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd. All-star players from Korea and Japan are taking commemorative photos. Bucheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.22/

Women's professional basketball all-star game held at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd. Director Park Jung-eun, Wi Sung-woo and Ha Sang-yoon are performing. Bucheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.22/

"I hope we can do it in Japan next time.", "It's not bad that we go (to Japan)."

It was an all-star game that didn't exist in the world. Representing the women's basketball of Korea and Japan, 'Allstar' gathered in one place to give joy to fans. The Korean Women's Basketball Federation (WKBL) held a 'Hana Bank 2024-2025 Women's Professional Basketball All-Star Festival' between Korea and Japan at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd.

It was a special game. Korean and Japanese players clashed on the court. WKBL has continued to interact with Japan. He experienced the WKBL Rising Star All-Star Game in April 2023 and the Japanese All-Star Game guest appearance of six representative WKBL players in May 2024. However, for the first time in the main game of the All-Star Game, 'conflicted head-on'

Korean and Japanese national team players have been named in the lineup. Starting with Kim Dan-bi, Jihyun Shin (Incheon Shinhan Bank), Kang Yi-seul (Cheongju KB Stars), and Kim Jong-un (Bucheon Hana Bank) participated. In Japan, members of the 2024 Paris Olympics, including Louis Machida (Fujitsu), Akaho Himawari (Denso), and Saori Miyazaki (Eneos), joined.

Expectations and concerns coexisted before the game. `All-star Queen' Kim Dan-bi said, `It's my first time doing this with Japan, so I'm looking forward to and worried about what it will be like. The culture is so different." Japan's Miyazaki Saori and Machida Rui also took a bite "There are few opportunities in Japan to perform such a performance. I'm shy about this atmosphere," he said with a smile.

It was a Korea-Japan match, but the focus was on harmony as it was an All-Star game. The players entertained the fans by performing various performances from their entrance. In particular, some Japanese players received a big round of applause for performing dances to Korean songs such as 'Ring Ding Dong (Shiny)', 'Claction ((Girl) Children)', 'Magnetic (Magnetic)', and 'Apartment (APT.·Rosé)'. In addition, Jinan (Hana Bank) made a surprise transformation into Karina of Espa and gave fans a smile.

Women's professional basketball all-star game held at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd. Kim Dan-bi is performing. Bucheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.22/

Women's professional basketball all-star game held at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd. Kang Yi-seul is participating in a three-point shooting contest and trying to shoot. Bucheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.22/

A surprise event was also held during the game. In the second quarter, players from both teams showed a 'team change' to the opponent's uniform. Kim Dan-bi, Akaho Himawari (Denso), Park Hye-jin and Motokawa Sanae (Denso) changed their uniforms, respectively. In the third quarter, there was a 'coach chance'. Coach Park Jung-eun wore Park Hye-jin, coach Wi Sung-woo Shim Sung-young, and coach Ha Sang-yoon on the court wearing uniforms of Bae Hye-yoon. Coach Park Jung-eun completed a perfect three-point shot after four attempts. Coach Wi showed a score under the basket through a 2-2 play with Kim Dan-bi. Japanese coach Vladimir Vuksanovic also came out in Miyu Okamoto's uniform and showed a clean shot and a simple pass. In addition, he had time to unite with fans through the All-Star gymnastics time in the middle of the quarter, prize games, and random dance challenges.

As an extra game, the 'Three-Point Shoot Contest' was also held. Six Korean and Japanese players each formed a team after qualifying. In Korea, Lee So-hee, Shin Isul, and Shim Sung-young came forward. It earned a total of 16 points. He won the game against Japan (11 points). A skill challenge was also held. In Korea, Heo Ye-eun, Lee Myung-kwan, and Jihyun Shin came forward. South Korea recorded an average of 1 minute 25 seconds for the three players and 1 minute 40 seconds for Japan. Korea also won the skill challenge.

Women's professional basketball all-star game held at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd. Jinan, who was selected as MVP, is happy. Bucheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.22/

Women's professional basketball all-star game held at Bucheon Gymnasium on the 22nd. Miyu Okamoto and Jinan, who were selected as MVP, are taking a commemorative photo. Bucheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.22/

South Korea laughed at the game. South Korea took the lead from the beginning of the game with Kim Dan-bi and Kang Yi-seul scoring. Japan chased at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but South Korea's background was stronger. Korea won by 90 to 67. Jinan was selected as the Korean MVP. He received 46 out of 71 votes. In Japan, Miyu Okamoto (Toyota) won the MVP with 38 votes. Jinan also received the Best Performance Award on this day, winning two gold medals. 2,489 out of 2,721 seats were filled at the stadium and enjoyed together.

epi17@sportschosun.com

Come to Japan next time→It's okay for us to go. Korea-Japan Women's Basketball Harmony, an all-star game that didn't exist in the world

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