Japan’s women’s water polo team created history at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025, reaching their first-ever quarter-final after a commanding 23-10 victory over Great Britain.

Japan, ranked world No. 14, wasted no time asserting their dominance, leading 6-2 after the first quarter and never looking back.

“I’m so happy to win. It was a really good game. We could really play our style of water polo, so it was great. The atmosphere within our team was really good today and we were really connected,” said Ai Sunabe. “This is a big, big success for Japan. It’s the first time we’re in the top eight of the world championships and it’s a really good experience for us.”

Japan will next face the United States in the quarter-finals.

Greece, Italy, Netherlands Also Advance

Greece extended their run to a 12th consecutive quarter-final, easing past France 23-9. Player of the Match Foteini Tricha said, “right now we’re focusing on our next game… we have a tough game against Australia, which is a really good team and we will try our best to beat them so that we’ll be in the top four teams.”

Italy edged past China 13-11, with captain Agnese Cocchiere acknowledging the challenge ahead. “Hungary are a very good team, I know that. It will be difficult to win… but we try, we grow together.”

The Netherlands defeated New Zealand 14-9 and will face Spain next. Player of the Match Simone van de Kraats said, “in these games, the most important thing is that you continue through to the quarter-finals and we managed to do that.”

Hosts Singapore Fall to Argentina in Classification Match

Singapore lost 18-9 to Argentina in the classification rounds. Koh Ting Ting scored four goals, reflecting:

“Today’s match was aggressive and also a tough one… we just tried our best to win today’s game.”

Argentina’s Julieta Auliel praised her team’s progress. “We had really, really tough three matches… but this match was really good. We played as a team.”

Croatia beat South Africa 16-6 to set up a clash with Argentina for 13th place. Neli Jankovic noted, “we performed very well. I hope we continue to play like this and get more wins.”

Results – 17 July 2025
Singapore 9-18 Argentina

Croatia 16-6 South Africa

Italy 13-11 China

New Zealand 9-14 Netherlands

Greece 23-9 France

Japan 23-10 Great Britain

Quarter-Finals (19 July 2025)
Australia vs Greece

USA vs Japan

Hungary vs Italy

Spain vs Netherlands