Japan and guard Saki Hayashi set two shooting records during a 102–97 victory over Mali on the opening day of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Hayashi made nine of her 15 three-point attempts and finished with 27 points, breaking the competition’s previous individual record of eight successful three-pointers in a game.
The 31-year-old’s shooting helped Japan make 20 three-pointers as a team, surpassing the previous tournament high of 18. Japan had established that earlier mark against Kenya in 1994 before Australia matched it against Mali in 2022.
FIBA named Hayashi the player of the game. She said long-range shooting was her assigned role but acknowledged that she had missed badly with her first two attempts before finding her rhythm.
Japan needed the record performance to overcome a strong challenge from Mali in the Group A contest. The five-point victory gave the Asian side a winning start in a group that also includes hosts Germany and Spain.
Hayashi moved ahead of Korea’s Beon Yeon-Ha, who made eight three-pointers against France in 2002, and Cuba’s Gricel Herrera Mendez, who reached the same figure against Slovakia in 1998.
The records mark an immediate high point in the expanded 16-team World Cup, which is being staged in Berlin through September 13.
