Japan shooting guard Saki Hayashi exited Tuesday’s game at the FIBA Women’s World Cup with a suspected broken arm, casting a pall over her team’s 84-63 loss to Hungary, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Hayashi was injured with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter when she was fouled in the air by Hungary’s Agnes Torok and landed awkwardly on her right arm.
Injury Halts Play as Hungary Advances to Quarterfinals
According to the Associated Press, Hayashi managed to score despite the foul before requiring immediate medical attention on the court. She was unable to continue playing, leaving the arena in a somber silence while a blue tarp was deployed to provide privacy. Fans in attendance applauded when she was finally helped off the floor and led to the sidelines.
Hungary secured an 84-63 victory to punch its ticket to a top-eight finish for the first time since 1986. Reka Lelik led the winning effort with 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, earning Player of the Game honors. Hungary’s win sets up a quarterfinal matchup against the United States on Thursday, while tenth-ranked Japan finished group play with a third loss and prepares to depart for the upcoming Asian Games.
Group D Dynamics and China’s Path Forward
In other action within Group D, China secured second place by defeating Italy 71-51, according to the sources. Head coach Gong Luming’s squad controlled the game from the opening minutes, building a 40-21 halftime lead. Center Han Xu paced China with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Yang Shuyu added 15 points. Nineteen-year-old reserve Zhang Ziyu contributed eight points in eight minutes off the bench.
The sources noted that China’s victory over Italy follows a mixed group stage that included a 94-61 opening loss to the United States—a rematch of the previous World Cup final—and a narrow 74-70 win over the Czech Republic. China now advances to face Puerto Rico in the knockout rounds.
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