The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) women’s youth and junior sides both celebrated a gold medal in Taichung, Chinese Taipei, yesterday after they won their respective IHF Women’s Trophy Asia - Zone 1A (East and South East Asia) tournaments.

 

The results mean that both sides now go through to the Asian IHF Women’s Trophy Continental finals to be held later this year.

 

The Feng Chia University Gymnasium in Taichung played host to nine teams from five nations with Hong Kong (HKG), Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK), Chinese Taipei (TPE) and Vietnam (VIE) fielding teams in both for both the youth (Under 17, born in 2002 and younger) and junior (U19, born in 2000 and younger) competitions, while Macau (MAC), entered a junior side only.

 

In the youth competition, Korea took the title, beating host nation Taipei 26:25 in the final – a much closer game than their group match-up which had seen the Koreans win easily, 36:29. Leading up to the final, Korea had also beaten Hong Kong and Vietnam, who eventually played for bronze, with Vietnam winning 27:21.

 

The junior competition featured five teams and was played in a round-robin league format. Korea came out on top with an impressive four wins out of four to end on eight points, beating their nearest rivals, Taipei, 29:25.

 

FINAL RANKING

 

Youth (U17) Competition

1          Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

2          Chinese Taipei

3          Vietnam

4          Hong Kong

 

Junior (U19) Competition

1          Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

2          Chinese Taipei

3          Vietnam

4          Hong Kong

5          Macau

 

RESULTS

 

Sunday 26 May

 

Youth (U17) Competition

HKG vs PRK 17:39

TPE vs VIE 39:16

 

Junior (U19) Competition

MAC vs PRK 4:42

HKG vs TPE 11:37

 

Monday 27 May

 

Youth (U17) Competition

PRK vs VIE 29:14

HKG vs TPE 20:42

 

Junior (U19) Competition

PRK vs HKG 34:17

TPE vs VIE 30:16

 

Tuesday 28 May

 

Youth (U17) Competition

VIE vs HKG 30:21

TPE vs PRK 29:36

 

Junior (U19) Competition

MAC vs HKG 13:28

VIE vs PRK 16:48

 

Wednesday 29 May

 

Youth (U17) Competition

Bronze Medal – HKG vs VIE 21:27

 

Junior (U19) Competition

VIE vs MAC 42:15

PRK vs TPE 29:25

 

Thursday 30 May

 

Youth (U17) Competition

Gold Medal – PRK vs TPE 26:25

 

Junior (U19) Competition

HKG vs VIE 29:37

TPE vs MAC 42:4

 

Photos: Chinese Taipei Handball Association/Tsao Shao Hua