SYDNEY (Australia) - The race to make the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 caught fire early with plenty of players lighting it up on the opening day of the Qualifying Tournaments.

Sika Kone of Mali attained the highest performance valuation with an efficiency of 36 after she harvested an outstanding 26 points from a flawless floor shooting effort. While it wasn't enough to inspire her team to victory in a 77-66 defeat at the hands of France, her additional 9 rebounds and 5 steals got people talking about how the sky could be the limit for her.

There was also a 26-point haul and 5 steals for Kyara Linskens who was only just behind Kone in terms of her valuation. She completed a double-double with 10 rebounds for Belgium as they took down Puerto Rico 98-65. 

She is joined as a Top Performer by her Cats' teammate Emma Meesseman who served up a typically brilliant outing with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. She was also highly influential defensively.

Meanwhile despite the heavy defeat, Puerto Rico guard Arella Guirantes still managed to outshine all other guards on the first day of the Qualifiers with a nice 25 points and 5 rebounds.

Finally in Osaka, Stephanie Mawuli was at the heart of Japan's absorbing comeback win as they outlasted Canada 86-79 in overtime. She recorded an all-action 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

FIBA