China’s women’s water polo team wrapped up their journey at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships with a resounding 10-6 victory over New Zealand on Monday, clinching ninth place in the tournament.
The match saw China take charge from the very beginning. Within the first five minutes, Yan Siya and Zhou Shang propelled the team ahead with three swift goals—Yan scoring once and Zhou twice. Despite New Zealand’s Morgan McDowall narrowing the gap with two goals, China’s Zhang Yumian extended the lead to 4-2 just before the end of the first period.
In the second period, Zhang struck again, and although McDowall responded with another goal for New Zealand, Yan Siya redeemed a missed penalty by scoring, bringing the halftime score to 6-3 in favor of China.
The second half showcased China’s defensive strength as they extended their lead while keeping New Zealand at bay. Final goals from Zhang, Zhou, Yan, and Wang Huan, each netting two goals in the match, sealed the 10-6 victory.
Yan Siya emerged as China’s top scorer of the tournament with 15 goals, while Shao Yixin contributed her 10th goal. Goalkeeper Shen Yineng was a pivotal force, making eight saves in the match and totaling 50 throughout the competition.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Wang Huan, who was named MVP of the match, expressed optimism about the future. “We are a new team with many young players experiencing the world championships for the first time,” she said. “Our coach has only been with us for seven weeks, but with more time together, we can continue to grow and improve.”
The win was a significant turnaround from last year’s ninth-place playoff, where China narrowly lost to New Zealand 16-15. This time, China’s decisive victory demonstrates the team’s potential and determination as they look ahead to future competitions.
