Water polo women hope to make a splash in Paris

Experiencing ups and downs, the Chinese women's water polo team gets another chance to prove their potential on a global stage in the traditionally European-dominated sport.

On National Day, Team China put the water polo world on notice by producing a dominant display to defeat Japan and secure its fourth consecutive Asian Games title at Huanglong Sports Centre.

As well as a gift for the motherland, the triumph also booked the team's ticket to the Paris Olympics next year.

"The Asian Games is the most important tournament of the year for us, and this win got us our ticket to Paris, so we are especially happy," said Lu Yiwen, who played driver position in the game.

"I'm thankful to my parents. My folks have been watching me. Today is National Day, this is the best birthday gift we can give to our country, wishing it prosperity and that it gets better and better," Lu added.

Theocharis Pavlidis, China's head coach, also praised the team: "The performance was amazing; I am very proud of my team. The girls showed their spirit, they played for their country and for everyone in this team."

"For two years we have worked hard for this match. We have booked our ticket to Paris which is very important. We beat Japan by a clear margin," Pavlidis added.

Unlike most competitions, this niche event saw an introduction video played to the audience before the final started, since many of them were new to the sport.

The unfamiliarity is, in part, due to China's relatively late start in women's water polo, which was established in 2004, and which has endured many ups and downs over the past two decades.

At the bottom of two consecutive World Cups following the establishment of the team, the youngsters achieved a fifth-place finish at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, receiving a lot of attention as a result.

A bronze medal at the 2010 World Cup, followed by a runner-up slot at the World Championship in 2011 and then victory at the 2013 FINA World Championships, illustrated the team's gradual progress.

Before securing its fourth consecutive Asiad gold in Hangzhou, the Chinese women's water polo team came off a six-game losing streak at the 2023 Water Polo World Cup in Long Beach, California, United States.

The trip to Paris seems like an enormous challenge.

"At the Olympics, we will have to play against European teams and the USA, who are at a better level than China at the moment," Pavlidis said.

"We must develop our defensive skills, we are a team that defends a lot, so we must improve.

"We need to become a team that believes we can beat anyone. It is not easy when you have lost against these teams over the last eight years.

"We need time and we need lots of games against the best teams in the world. Our players must get experience," he added.

Xiong Dunhan, a member of the gold medal-winning team, described the Olympics as an unfulfilled dream.

"We didn't achieve what we wanted at the last Olympics (in Tokyo). We are looking forward to the day when the China women's water polo team can stand on the podium at the Olympics. It is this kind of belief that has shaped me into who I am today," she said.

"The crowd was especially enthusiastic. This is something we don't see often at national tournaments. I hope more people will support the sport as a result of this enthusiasm and passion, and see the appeal of water polo," said Xiong.