China are the new IFAF Asia-Oceania women’s continental champions having beaten Australia 36-29 in the tournament’s gold medal game.
As winners of the Oceania and Asia competitions respectively, both Australia and China have qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships to be played in Germany next summer. They will be joined by Japan, bronze medalists at the 2024 edition, who beat American Samoa 42-12 in the Bronze Medal Game.
“We are so excited, we are the champion,” said China quarterback Haolin Feng. “It was not easy. Japan and Australia are so strong. We go to the World Championships next year and we are looking forward to being the final champions.”
Chinese receiver Lin Wen Ze scored four of her team’s five touchdowns in the championship game, which saw the teams matched score for score until China’s defense stopped Australia late in the game. China quarterback Niu Xin Yiu won the MVP award as she threw five touchdowns.
“Ningbo has treated to us to a true feast of flag football to close this IFAF Continental Series in superb style,” said IFAF President Pierre Trochet. “With thanks to the efforts of all the athletes, officials and our outstanding partners at the CRFA and Ningbo Local Organising Committee, I am leaving China with my heart full and my head spinning at the possibilities for our sport throughout this Asia-Oceania region.
“The jump in participation and performance levels over two years since the first edition of this championship puts flag football on an incredible trajectory - and what we have seen today from the junior teams makes me believe this region can become a new powerhouse of the sport. Australia, China and Japan will now have the chance to test themselves on the global stage in Düsseldorf and the rest of the world is on notice.”
Wen Ze gave China an 8-0 lead before Kyana Gordon-Belo replied for Australia then after Wen Ze scored again it was Amelie Prosser-Shaw who tied the game. Wen Ze’s third scoring grab earned the hosts a 22-15 halftime lead.
Australia’s defense held on the second half’s opening drive as Vanessa Lu came up with an interception then Olivia Manfre leveled the game at 22-22 with a diving end zone catch. China’s Gao Zi Xuan put her side ahead 29-22 before what turned out to be the decisive defensive stop on the next Australian possession.
Wen Ze opened a 36-22 lead and although Gordon-Belo made an impressive touchdown catch in reply and Australia’s defense held China in check, the clock ran out on a comeback.
Earlier on Sunday, China upset world number three-ranked Japan 25-22 to win the Asia tournament, while Australia won the Oceania round robin by beating both American Samoa and New Zealand twice.
Asia-Oceania Gold Medal Game China 36 Australia 29
Asia Oceania Bronze Medal Game Japan 42 American Samoa 12
Asia-Oceania Fifth Place Medal Game New Zealand 32 Malaysia 13
Asia Tournament Final China 25 Japan 22
3rd Place Malaysia 19 Philippines 13
5th Place Indonesia 41 Thailand 20
7th Place Jordan 26 Korea 19
9th Place Hong Kong, China 27 India 18
Asia Competition Final Standings 1st China 2nd Japan 3rd Malaysia 4th Philippines 5th Indonesia 6th Thailand 7th Jordan 8th Korea 9th Hong Kong, China 10th India
Oceania Competition Final Standings 1st Australia 2nd American Samoa 3rd New Zealand
