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Lacrosse: Japan Claims Historic Bronze in the Women's U20 World Championship

Japan, a three-time fifth-place finisher in this lacrosse tournament, scored eight unanswered goals in the second half to turn a close match into a runaway win.

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HONG KONG ― Led by team captain Negai Nakazawa, Japan defeated Australia 14-5 in the World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship bronze-medal match at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday, August 24.

For Japan, it was the team's first-ever medal at the world championship, which was first held in 1995. (It was previously called the Women's U19 Championship.)

What's more, it's the first medal for Japan in any of the World Lacrosse-organized world championship tournaments for men and women.

Making its eighth appearance in this tournament, Japan had previously finished fifth on three occasions (2003, 2007 and 2019). 

Japan's Negai Nakazawa shoots against Australia in the 2024 World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship bronze-medal match. (©JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

How the Match Unfolded

Japan led 5-3 at halftime. It extended the lead to 6-3 early in the second half on a Rika Hitomi goal. Australia then rallied with two quick goals, cutting the lead to 6-5.

The rest of the match featured an impressive display of Japan's teamwork and the bronze medal-winning squad's versatile offensive attack.

Japan players celebrate after beating Australia in the third-place match. (©JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

Megan Kitagawa, a Yale University student, finished with a team-best four goals. Nakazawa and Miri Akiyama had three apiece, and Hitomi, Ayame Mizuno, Miu Kimura and Tomoe Kurokawa all scored one. 

Mizuno contributed a team-best three assists in the win.

Attacker Megan Kitagawa played a pivotal role in Japan's victory over Australia. (©JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

Japan's Lacrosse Success Bolstered by Confidence

Japan entered the bronze-medal match with confidence and determination to win.

Before the match, Nakazawa expressed the team's mindset. 

"We have been working with the goal of winning medals," Nakazawa said, according to insidelacrosse.com. "Now is our chance. We will definitely win the bronze medal for ourselves and Japan as a team."

Japan midfielder Ayano Kamiya in action against Canada in the Women's U20 semifinals on August 22. (©JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

Japan advanced to the 20-nation tournament semifinals for the first time by defeating England 12-6 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 21.

Canada trounced Japan 17-2 in the semifinals the next day. 

On Saturday, the United States defeated Canada 23-6 in the championship final.

After defeating Australia, Japan lacrosse players react with smiles and tears of joy. (©JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

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Author: Hidemitsu Kaito
Hidemitsu Kaito is a staff writer at JAPAN Forward. In addition to his other duties, he has been covering the sport of lacrosse internationally and in Japan since 1989.

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