On July 18, 2025, during the World Aquatics Championships, China achieved a significant milestone by defeating the host nation Singapore with a score of 21-8 in men's water polo. This victory marked China’s first win in the tournament after facing tough opponents in Group D, which included the world’s top-ranked team Croatia and formidable teams like Greece and Montenegro, leading to three consecutive defeats that pushed them to the classification round for 13th to 16th place.
China initiated the match with impressive vigor, establishing a commanding 6-1 lead by the end of the first quarter and widening the gap to 12-4 by halftime. While Singapore demonstrated perseverance and improved their offensive strategies in the latter half, they were unable to close the scoring gap. Throughout the game, China showcased their exceptional skill in ball control and shooting, with five different players scoring goals in the first quarter. Notably, Chen Zhongxian distinguished himself by netting a hat trick in the second quarter and finishing with six goals, earning him the MVP title. Additionally, Peng Jiahao made valuable contributions, scoring multiple goals from his center-forward role.
Looking ahead, China is set to face Australia on July 20, as they aim to secure the 13th place in the overall rankings of the championship.
5 Comments
Bella Ciao
This victory is meaningless when you're not even at the highest level.
Comandante
The writing was on the wall after the loss to Croatia though.
Fuerza
Hattrick and MVP in a 13th place match? Seems a little...unimportant.
Manolo Noriega
Great game by China and for their future in this sport.
Ongania
Impressive ball control and shooting! China's water polo is improving!