BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:

1. Wu, Zhang inspire China to comeback win over DPR Korea at Asian Games

Wu Xi and Zhang Yuning set up a goal for each other as China came from behind to beat DPR Korea 2-1 in its opening men's football Group B match at the 2026 Asian Games on September 16.

China fielded a side built around the team that finished runner-up at this year's AFC U23 Asian Cup, with overage players Zhang, Wu and Zhu Chenjie forming an experienced spine. Wu was making his first appearance for a Chinese national side in two years and eight months.

DPR Korea's Choe Kuk broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a finish from inside the penalty area.

China drew level in the 44th minute when Zhang rose to head home Wu's cross from the left.

Both sides continued to create chances after the break before China took the lead in the 68th minute. Zhang's headed layoff on the edge of the penalty area found Wu, who timed his run to lob the advancing goalkeeper.

The 2026 Asian Games opens in Nagoya, Japan on September 19, with China sending 815 athletes to compete across 38 sports and 369 events.

2. China loses to Japan in men's basketball semifinals at Asian Games

China lost to host Japan 97-77 in the men's basketball semifinals at the 2026 Asian Games on September 18, missing the final for the second consecutive Games.

Japan took control early, using a 9-0 run to build a 28-15 lead in the first quarter. Hu Mingxuan's 3-pointer helped China cut the deficit to eight points with 3:42 remaining in the second quarter, but Japan responded with an 11-0 run to take a 49-30 lead into halftime.

Japan repeatedly capitalized on fast-break opportunities and shot 14 of 19 from the field in a highly efficient third quarter, at one point stretching its lead to 35 points.

China narrowed the deficit in the fourth quarter but could not mount a full comeback, eventually falling by 20 points.

China will face Iran in the bronze medal game on September 20.

3. China smashes Kazakhstan to meet Vietnam in women's volleyball quarterfinals

China smashed Kazakhstan 3-0 to finish top of Group B at the women's volleyball tournament of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 18, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Vietnam.

Holding an overall edge, China beat its opponent in straight sets 25-18, 25-6, 25-14, with the match lasting just one hour.

China outperformed Kazakhstan on major technical indicators, recording 47 winning spikes and 10 blocks against Kazakhstan's 26 and four, respectively.

4. Wang Manyu tops ITTF women's singles rankings for first time

China's Wang Manyu has risen to No. 1 in the International Table Tennis Federation women's singles world rankings for the first time in her career.

Wang replaced compatriot Sun Yingsha at the top, ending Sun's 217-week reign as world No. 1 dating back to July 19, 2022. China's Zhang Yining holds the record with 240 weeks at No. 1.

Sun had occupied the top spot for more than four years but has not competed internationally since winning the World Table Tennis United States Smash in July.

With ranking points from last year's WTT Champions Yokohama, WTT Europe Smash and WTT Champions Macao expiring, Sun dropped below Wang in the latest rankings.

China's Wang Chuqin remains No. 1 in the men's singles rankings.

5. China's Zhao Jiaju becomes first Asian to win Tor des Geants

After 65 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds on his feet, Zhao Jiaju crossed the finish line in Courmayeur in the pre-dawn hours of September 16, local time in Italy.

The athlete from southwest China's Guizhou Province claimed the overall championship in the 330-kilometer category of Italy's Tor des Geants (TOR) ultra-trail race. He became the first Chinese and the first Asian runner to win the title since the event's inception, breaking the race record by a full 13 minutes.

Tor des Geants is one of the world's premier ultra-long-distance trail-running events. Its course stretches across the Alps, passing major peaks, including Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa. The course covers 336.1 kilometers in total and features over 24,000 meters of cumulative elevation gain.