China successfully defended its Asian title, beating finalist Japan 92-80 at the Asian women's basketball championship in Sendai on Monday, while third-placed South Korea also booked its berth for the Athens Olympics Games.

The Chinese women, also winners at the Asian Games, chalked up a commanding lead in the first three quarters before quashing a late challenge to beat Japan 92-80 in the final.

It was China's eighth Asian title, denying Japan its first victory in 34 years since 1970.

South Korea bounced back from its surprise semi-final defeat to Japan to beat Chinese Taipei 88-59 in the third-place competition.

The Koreans, silver medallists at the Pusan Asian Games two years ago, finished fourth at both the Sydney Olympics and the 2002 world championships.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2004)