In a short series, IFAF looks back at some of the highlights and stories that emerged from the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Finland at the end of August, continuing with Japan’s bronze medal win in the women’s bracket.
Japan’s women’s national team were long overdue winning a medal at the IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
Not since 2006 when silver was the consolation for a 46-32 title game loss to France in Korea has Japan stood on the world podium. At the prior world championships in 2021 Japan finished sixth and were knocked out of The World Games in 2022 in the quarterfinals.
Having been crowned continental champions by storming to the Asia-Oceania title last summer, winning every game, the signs were clear that Japan could head home with a reward for the first time in 18 years.