[Asian Games] S. Korea beats Japan for 5th consecutive baseball gold medal

TOYOHASHI MUNICIPAL BASEBALL STADIUM, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

South Korea’s baseball team secured its fifth consecutive Asian Games gold medal with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over host Japan in the final at Toyohashi Municipal Baseball Stadium on Sunday, extending its dominance in the sport at the regional tournament.

The match took place under rainy conditions, adding to the intensity of the game, which saw South Korea’s pitching and clutch hitting prevail in the late innings.

South Korea’s starter Gwak Been delivered a commanding performance, tossing 6 1/3 innings while allowing just one run and striking out nine batters. His dominance kept Japan off the scoreboard for the first four innings, though Japan managed to tie the game in the seventh. The South Korean offense, which had been largely dormant for much of the game, awakened in the eighth inning.

With the score tied at 1-1, Kim Do-yeong delivered the go-ahead RBI with an infield single, followed by Moon Bo-gyeong driving in an insurance run with a single of his own. Relievers Jo Byeong-hyeon and Park Yeong-hyun then secured the win by shutting down Japan’s late rally.

Japan’s starter Shin Higuchi, who had also started the Super Round loss to South Korea, returned to the mound just one day later. South Korea put early pressure on him in the first inning, with a walk and a single placing two runners on base. However, the cleanup hitter Moon Bo-gyeong struck out, and Roh Si-hwan was robbed of an extra-base hit by right fielder Shohei Mizutani, who made a towering catch at the fence.

South Korea broke through in the second inning when Yoon Dong-hee led off with a double, and Moon Hyun-bin—who had gone 2-for-17 before Sunday—cashed him in with a single to center for a 1-0 lead.

The game saw several moments, including a controversial play in the second inning. After Kim Ji-chan laid down a bunt to advance Moon Hyun-bin, Higuchi chose to throw to second to get the lead runner. However, replays showed Moon was tagged out before reaching the bag, but no replay review was available in this tournament.

Despite missing opportunities, South Korea’s offense remained resilient, while Gwak held Japan hitless through the first four innings before allowing two singles in the seventh. Yuki Sato tied the game with a single through the left side, but South Korea responded immediately in the eighth.

The decisive eighth inning saw South Korea load the bases with a double, a sacrifice bunt, and a walk. Kim Do-yeong then delivered the game-winning hit with a hard grounder to third baseman Yuki Sato, scoring two runs to restore a 3-1 lead. Japan threatened in the bottom of the eighth, but Park Yeong-hyun struck out Ryosuke Aizawa and got Yukiya Yano to fly out to left.

Though Park walked two batters in the final inning, he struck out pinch hitter Masato Shibasaki on a 0-2 fastball to clinch the gold medal for South Korea.

The victory marks South Korea’s fifth straight Asian Games baseball gold, solidifying its status as the region’s top team in the sport. Japan, despite hosting the tournament, fell short in the final, unable to capitalize on its early dominance. The match also highlighted the resilience of South Korea’s pitching and late-game hitting, traits that have defined its success in recent international competitions.

With the gold medal secured, South Korea’s baseball team now turns its focus to future challenges, including preparations for potential Olympic qualification campaigns.

Related: Toyohashi Municipal Baseball Stadium