Disbelief as China’s women’s basketball heroes fly home in economy class – ‘at least make the champions comfortable’

Chinese social media users aghast at seeing towering Asia Cup winners packed tightly together on journey back from Australia

‘Let’s just say that the economy class is not very good for the girls’ long legs,’ one user comments as picture goes viral on Weibo

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China’s basketball stars on a flight back home after winning the Asia Cup in Sydney. Photo: Weibo

Published: 1:27pm, 5 Jul 2023Updated: 3:36pm, 6 Jul 2023

After the glory of winning the Fiba Women’s Asia Cup for the first time in 12 years on Sunday, China’s basketball heroes have finally flown back home from Australia – but had to do so in the cramped confines of economy class.

China defeated Japan 73-71 in Sunday’s epic final at Quaycentre in Sydney, sparking emotional scenes and celebrations from coach Zhang Wei’s side as they ended their opponents’ hopes of a sixth straight crown, having lost to them in the last two finals.

A picture of several of the Chinese team’s towering star players packed tightly together in a row of three seats has gone viral on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

“Encountered the women’s basketball team who just won the championship in the economy class,” read the title of the post, which was trending high on the Twitter-like platform, with nearly three million reads by Wednesday afternoon.

China’s women’s basketball stars take a group selfie after winning the Fiba Asia Cup in Australia. Photo: Weibo

“Let’s just say that the economy class is not very good for the girls’ long legs,” one user commented.

“Returning to China with a championship medal, and you are not allowed to upgrade to business class? At least to make the champions more comfortable.”