Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 55 Week of 9 March 2026
(1) China’s big four back for another shot at reaching Women’s Basketball World Cup
China’s women’s basketball team seeks FIBA World Cup qualification in Wuhan this week. Coach Gong Luming’s squad faces Mali, Belgium, South Sudan, Czech Republic and Brazil in five matches. With towering stars Han Xu and Li Yueru back, they need a top-three finish for September’s Berlin tournament.
(2) China beat North Korea in controversial Women’s Asian Cup clash, top Group B
North Korea refused to play for minutes after VAR overturned an offside call to award China’s winning goal in a 2-1 Women’s Asian Cup loss.
(3) Netflix deal shuts out Japan’s sports bars from freely showing WBC
Netflix’s exclusive streaming of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan bars sports bars from commercial broadcasts, ending past free TV viewings. Fans must watch personally or at workarounds like personal devices in bars, while official public events fill the gap at malls and select venues.
(4) China’s BYD explores entering Formula 1 in company’s first push into motor racing
BYD is exploring entry into Formula 1 or World Endurance Championship racing to elevate its global brand, sources say. The EV giant eyes team builds or buys amid hybrid tech shifts, though high costs like $500 million per F1 season pose hurdles. No final decision has been made.
(5) Tentyris v Ka Ying Rising: the Everest showdown the world wants to see
Zac Purton prepares Ka Ying Rising for a potential Everest clash by studying Godolphin’s rising star Tentyris.
(1) China’s big four back for another shot at reaching Women’s Basketball World Cup
(Photo Credit: Xinhua)
China’s women’s basketball team has home-court advantage as it battles for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualification. Gong Luming’s squad faces a grueling schedule of five matches in seven days at Wuhan Sports Centre Gymnasium. A top-three finish in the six-team tournament secures their place at September’s Berlin finals.
The campaign opens Wednesday against Mali, followed by clashes with already-qualified Belgium, plus South Sudan, Czech Republic and Brazil. Centre Han Xu returns after her season with Australia’s Perth Lynx, while WNBA’s Li Yueru rejoins domestic stars Zhang Ziyu (7ft 3in) and Liu Yutong (6ft 5in). This quartet gives Gong a dominant frontcourt presence.
Recent warm-ups brought victories over Czech Republic and Brazil. Gong called his bigs world-class but urged backcourt improvement against direct rivals. Social media splits on 18-year-old Zhang, with critics citing inexperience despite her height.
Last year’s Women’s Asia Cup semi-final loss to Japan cost automatic qualification. The US and Nigeria already booked spots, leaving 11 open across four qualifiers. China aims to capitalize on home support and star power to reach the 16-team World Cup draw.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?module=top_story&pgtype=section
(2) China beat North Korea in controversial Women’s Asian Cup clash, top Group B
(Photo Credit: AP)
North Korea’s women’s team suffered a 2-1 defeat to China in the Women’s Asian Cup Group B match, sparking fury over a VAR-overturned goal that propelled them into a tough quarter-final against host Australia.
The game in rainy Sydney saw North Korea strike first on 32 minutes through Kim Kyong Yong’s shot slipping under goalkeeper Chen Chen, only for China to equalize swiftly via Chen Qiaozhu’s long-range left-footed strike. In first-half stoppage time, Wang Shuang’s close-range finish, initially flagged offside, was awarded after VAR review, prompting wild celebrations from China and outrage from North Korea, who demanded the referee check the pitch-side monitor.
Incensed, North Korea refused to resume play for four minutes amid boos from the pro-China crowd, leading to coach Ri Song Ho’s booking and the referee ending the half early. In the second half, North Korea thought they had leveled with 10 minutes remaining, but VAR again ruled it offside, securing China’s group-topping win and an easier last-eight path against Vietnam or Chinese Taipei.
The loss sets up a daunting clash for the three-time champions against Australia and its home fans, highlighting ongoing tensions with video technology in a physically charged encounter.
(3) Netflix deal shuts out Japan’s sports bars from freely showing WBC
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
The 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks off last Thursday exclusively on Netflix in Japan, blocking sports bars from airing games commercially. Netflix limits its service to personal, non-commercial use and urges customers to avoid business screenings, a shift from free domestic TV broadcasts in past tournaments like 2023.
Tokyo’s Bourbon Street, packed for Samurai Japan games three years ago, now prohibits public viewings to avoid violations. Staff noted it could spark issues, though patrons can connect personal streaming devices like Fire TV Sticks to TVs using their own accounts. Karaoke chain Pasela offers similar private-room options for small groups logging in individually.
Some bars quietly host “private events” via personal streams, with websites warning against direct inquiries. Official public viewings, however, are set for about 150 sites nationwide, including nine free events at Ito En-sponsored malls from Tokyo to Kagoshima.
This Netflix deal marks Japan’s first live-streamed major sports event on the platform, testing communal viewing traditions amid its 10 million subscribers. While bars adapt, fans seek alternatives to rally behind defending champions Samurai Japan.
News Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/04/japan/wbc-sports-bars/
(4) China’s BYD explores entering Formula 1 in company’s first push into motor racing
(Photo Credit: AFP)
Chinese EV leader BYD is weighing a push into elite motorsport, including Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship with its 24 Hours of Le Mans, to enhance global appeal, people familiar said. Options range from launching its own teams to acquisitions, fueled by overseas sales growth and racing’s hybrid engine evolution.
Such a move would buck the European-US dominance in these sports, where Chinese firms like Geely via Cyan Racing and NIO in Formula E have dipped toes sporadically. F1 entry costs, however, could exceed $500 million annually with years of development, one source noted. BYD did not comment.
The timing aligns with BYD’s luxury pivot; its Yangwang U9 Xtreme hit over 308 mph at a German track last year. Now surpassing Tesla as top EV seller, BYD seeks US visibility despite sales barriers, as F1 surges stateside via Netflix and more races.
FIA head Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomes Chinese teams post-Cadillac. Shanghai’s F1 return and driver Zhou Guanyu boost local hype. New 2026 hybrid rules, emphasizing batteries, suit BYD’s strengths, though existing teams resist newcomers diluting prize money. No commitments yet.
BYD eyes F1 amid hybrid racing shifts.
(5) Tentyris v Ka Ying Rising: the Everest showdown the world wants to see
(Photo Credit: Idol Horse/Gant Courtney)
Zac Purton, jockey for the dominant sprinter Ka Ying Rising, is proactively analyzing potential rivals ahead of major races. Despite the horse’s unmatched streak surpassing even legendary records, Purton scrutinizes newcomers like Australia’s Tentyris, who impressed in the Lightning Stakes by accelerating powerfully from the rear. He noted the colt’s calm demeanor in the yard, steady gate entry, and explosive finish despite starting last.
Tentyris, a Godolphin three-year-old, stands out with his sustained speed and late surge, particularly strong from 400 meters out. Jockey Damian Lane praises his ability to post faster sectionals as rivals fade, while his familiarity with Flemington’s straight boosts his edge in straight-course sprints. Australian markets now list him as the top challenger to Ka Ying Rising in the lucrative Everest turf race later this year.
Bred from a mare with a solid but gradual broodmare record and elite sire Street Boss, Tentyris reflects years of strategic planning by Godolphin. The operation eyes domestic dominance for now, targeting doubles like Lightning Stakes-Newmarket, with international campaigns possibly in later seasons. Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman have primed him effectively, setting up a potential high-stakes clash at Randwick.
Purton welcomes the matchup, acknowledging Australia’s habit of touting local winners against global benchmarks, but remains focused on preparation. While Ka Ying Rising holds the sprinting throne, Tentyris’s raw talent could test him up the Randwick rise, fueling excitement for what might become racing’s marquee showdown.
