A look at past FIBA U16 Women's Asian performances heading into Amman 2023

AMMAN (Jordan) - A total of 18 teams are all raring to take the floor in the upcoming FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2023.

Ten teams are set to compete in Division A, bannered by reigning two-time champions Australia and perennial contenders China and Japan. Eight squads, meanwhile, will be duking it out in Division B.

Of course, the Sapphires are looking to keep the throne for the third consecutive time, but the young Team China and junior Akatsuki Japan are out to reassert their dominance.

Not to be overlooked, though, are the teams hoping to break through and become just the fourth nation to win the gold medal. Plus, there are the sides motivated to conquer Division B to earn the coveted promotion to the top-flight level.

Now, we take a look at some of the new teams playing in Amman 2023, and how the others performed in the previous editions which could influence their own bids in the 10-16 July meet.

Past champions: China, Japan, Australia

China won the inaugural U16 Asian Women's title back in 2009 and would eventually become the tournament's winningest team, winning two more in 2013 and in 2015.

They could have achieved a rare 'four-peat' but the 2011 edition just wasn't theirs. After a tough 79-78 loss to Korea in the Semi-Finals, China settled for bronze instead by beating Chinese Taipei.

Winners then were Japan, as they beat Korea in dominant fashion, 102-56 in the finale. They went undefeated on the way to their breakthrough gold, finishing the tilt with a 7-0 record.

China bounced back by ruling the next two tournaments but their bid of winning three straight U16 championships was foiled in 2017 as they bowed to Australia in the Semis. And just like the last time they didn't win it all, they salvaged a bronze finish by venting their ire on New Zealand.

The Sapphires went on to emerge as the victors of that competition, and are now heading into Amman anew as back-to-back champs after winning last year's edition.

Still hoping for gold: Korea

Since the tourney began in 2009, most of the Final matchups revolved around China, Japan, and Australia, with Japan having gone to ALL of the championship bouts.

But 2011 saw a different finalist in Korea, who eventually settled for silver after losing to Japan.

Since then, however, they have not returned to the Final stage, although they've bagged home the bronze medal in three of the last four contests, including last year's.

Previous semi-finalists: Chinese Taipei, New Zealand

While the four aforementioned have at least reached the Finals, there are two hoping to experience that feeling in this year's festivities: Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.

Chinese Taipei were among the Semi-Finalists in the maiden championships in 2009, eventually bagging home the bronze by beating Korea in the Third-Place Game. They reached the Semis in the next three editions but only ended up in fourth place on all those occasions.

They bowed out of the Quarter-Finals in 2017, and New Zealand took their place by reaching the Semis. They then lost to Japan, though, and went on to finish fourth.

It was then back-to-back Semis appearances for the young Tall Ferns as they did so again in 2022, but still couldn't get over the hump as they bowed to Japan. Their bid of at least ending the campaign with a bronze got foiled for the second time in a row after being beaten by Korea.

Dark horses

Out to give champs Australia and 2022 silver and bronze medalists Japan and Korea a run for their money are India and the returnees, namely China, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand; as well as debuting teams in Samoa and Syria - the protagonists of the previous Division B Final.

Meanwhile, in Division B, the Philippines are viewed as favorites yet again, although the returning squads Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore are out to change that narrative.

Debutants: Samoa, Guam

Samoa will now be enjoying the fruit of their hard work now that they're competing in Division A. The crew ruled Division B last year also held in the Jordanian capital.

It was a run to remember, too. A team that finished 1-2 in the Group Phase, Samoa went past Kazakhstan in the Qualification to Semi-Finals; beat the undefeated Philippines in the Semis; and ultimately outlasted Syria - a team that previously defeated them in the Group Phase - in the Final, 79-76.

Meanwhile, Guam will be competing in the U16 Asian Women's Championship for the very first time as one of the eight teams playing in Division B.

 FIBA