172 cm Japanese Guard Embarrassed Markkanen’s Finland 

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He’s 172cm but he’s a deadly shooter. Salute to the coach for trusting him

3rd quarter score 53-71 Finland. Then, a 45 to 17 point run!! Never seen anything like that. 👍🏾

Japan's comeback was incredible. Kawamura was pulling the strings the entire time. Heart over height on display.

I am Filipino but I literally cried... so happy for Japan... kawamura small but with great skills

We can feel Japan's pride on this one. So touching.

Put his name onto the title of this video instead of just calling him the 172cm dude!

Gotta love japanese athletes. So much pride, honor and sportsmanship. I still remember the football players cleaning the locker rooms. So awesome

So the 'Slam Dunk' is not an animation, it is a real story.

his speed is insane! it’s like 1.5x no one from Finland could follow his speed

Man decided to make his life a sports anime. Maximum respect.

True Slam Dunk moment.

Japan is no doubt the best team in Asia for this tournament. Wish them more success in upcoming games!

Japan deserves to be in the Olympics

Kawamura has been a star since high school in Japan. Despite his size, his athleticism (speed, footwork, body control, agility) is second to none, and he proved it in this game. With Baba, Togashi, Tominaga and Hawkinson, this team has good potential. I wish Hachimura was part of the group!

As a Finn I couldn't but smile at the energy and momentum Japan had in the fourth. The kind of thing I've grown to expect from our Susijengi. I'm happy for Japan and expect Finns to bounce back after gaining some experience and learning from these lessons.

Good to see Japan win. You are one of the most gracious winners and your fans are so respectful all over the world

Many-many congratulations Team Japan on your outstanding performance. You have done an amazing job and you really deserve this. Your historical feat gave us Asians "something" to be proud of. Wishing you more success all throughout this FIBA 2023 🙏

Insane game.. Japan always had that fighting spirit

When Kawamura hit that three on Markkanen's grill, that was it. He finished with 25 points and 9 assists off the bench.

Short guys can hoop too...✊🏀

This performance is what the Filipino fans expected from Gilas but our plays are stagnant and lacks energy.. Japan showed Heart, Guts and Passion.. everytime their national team in any sports compete on world stage i always feel their pride it made me tear up. Congrats Japan, hope you'll make it further from the world cup.

i love watching this. soo emotional. very proud team japan.

Japan Basketball program is pretty good. Even without Hui Hachimura, they still fight for the win. Congrats from Philippines!

I thought Ryota Miyagi is just a myth until I happened to watch this!

Beautiful game and beautiful plays!

It wasn't just Yuki Kawamura, but Josh Hawkinson, the naturalized player from US, did his part and so did the "Japanese Steph Curry" in Keisei Tominaga in pulling an upset on Markannen-led Finland team while Yuta Watanabe, the lone NBA player, had an off-night. I am of a Japanese descent and I have that Japanese bias to root for Japan and hoping that they can get far to prove that anything is possible, especially in proving that Japanese (Asians) can ball and beat the best despite the physical disadvantages they have with height, girth, jumping ability, etc. They could make up for it with a fundamentally executed plays and every player understanding the role. Though a different roster, Japan pulled a victory on the next opponent in Australia a few years ago, it wouldn't be a shocker if they did it again.

Good game from Japan! Well deserved! Our (Finland) current problem is that our guards suck. Can't defend or beat their defender on offence. Missing retired Koponen and Rannikko a lot.

Let's go Japan! We cheering for you because our coach sucks!! Love from the Philippines!

That Japan team really deserves a spot in Olympics 🇯🇵🥇

😢what a great game and you could feel Japan's happiness!❤❤❤

This video brought me to tears. Thank you for being such an inspiration

Completely unbeliveable. Congrats Japan.

適切にゲームメイクしつつ、大事なポゼッションでは自らシュートを決める河村が大好き

....... Congrats Japan!....... From Manila Philippines!.......

Kawamura é um anão para os padrões do basquete atual, mas é um anão de feitos gigantescos

congrats Japan! ❤️ from 🇵🇭

Real life "Ryota's First Slam Dunk"

Japan, always a great example for the children of the world :) Respect from Türkiye

WoW! What a big and thrilling come back!!!! You have my respect❤

dude hes literally role model for us 175 cm basketball players

proud of you Japanese team.. we love you from Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭♥️♥️

Top shots! I also loved the commentary. "He will do that and he will do it nicelyyyyyyyy"

Seeing the Japanese so prideful and passionate about basketball warms my heart ❤️

Kawamura was very cool He is GOAT🐐🔥

That woman her voice..the biggest turn OFF ever

0:48 Markkanen probably thought he had the easiest block ever hahaha

Get it Japan!!! Love to see the underdog taking the win!

Baseball: Ohtani Boxing: Inoue 【NEW】Basketball: Kawamura

Wow!!! Amazing performance. Congratulations Japan, best win of the tournament

Was that Susan Waldman with the play by play? How can human ears tolerate that “Tomi-Na-GAAA!!”?!? Brutal.

Japan is really growing in a bunch of team sports recently, olympic silver medal for their womens basketball team, their mens team is making drastic improvements in front of our eyes. Heck their womens ice hockey team has gotten pretty competitive as well.

That was nuts, the level of shooting was incredible from Japan.

While Coach Chot embarrassed us in front of international basketball community and the entire Philippine basketball community.

That teardrop was a real beauty

Remembering Jimmy Alapag from our very own Gilas Pilipinas!!!!!!! Congratulations to Japan!!!!!! Keep it up for the Olympic

As a Japanese,when Kawamura was a high school student,his skill was by far the best of all students in Japan I think.He was also a captain of the strongest team.HEIGHT DOESN’T MATTER!!

Dude! insane crossovers! Number 21 still wondering today where did Kawamura go! Go Japan!

I'm japanese fan. I'm so happy that Kawamura is known as great player.❤He was already incredible when he's high school student.

wow what a game, congrats to Japan from Lithuania

Congrats to Japan!

Impressive goals!

This made me cry 😢🇯🇵

cheer up for Japan! leading game with 10 point and still running for fast break before the buzzer.

Bravo for Team Japon !

I'm not more than 180 and thought basketball is not for me. These bros have proved me wrong.

that boy was cold blooded out there. all around strong game. looking like nate rob

The real miyagi ❤

Congratulations from Taiwan! Much love~

I’m happy for them 🎉😊

So happy to see japan be successful man; tominaga got some serious handles, curious to see if he can find a place in the league

I'm Japanese, just like basketball. It's really unbelievable Japanese team receive many interest and respect from all over the world. I think they deserve this cause they beated NBA beast Markkanen!!

I love the Japanese fans especially the fan shown in the last part of the video.

Respect 🫡 .This guy proves that mentality and skill matter the most

Just by watching these highlights,Japan definitely deserved that game they fought til the end

Daaamn this Kawamira kid can play some ball get this man a contract 🥳

Japan showed heart and guts. Congratulations!

He's the Japanese AI

tearfully happy for japan. japanese so love their country!! wow

As a Japanese, I'm proud of their playing. I can’t wait to see them in Paris! I wish they also play good in there!!

absolute goosebumps!

That crossover at 01:50 had the dude half way back to Finland....

A master at work

Little Giant of Japan's Basketball

Congratulations Japan You deserved the win!!!

having to listen to that woman all game must be hell.

congratulations from Greece ! nice game

Idk why but Japan's team comeback are always so entertaining to watch, be it at football last wc or here

As a Filipino watching I'm happy that they won. They deserve that win!

1:50 that highlight was impressive

He made me remember the grat Nick Galis, fearless!

If Japan continues playing this way, they will qualify for the Olympics for sure.

nasa japan yung totoong puso wala na sa gilas , go japan❤

crazy i never seen this before , outstanding performance

Bro no wayyyy this is way too inspirational

Yuki Kawamura (from Daiichi HS - one of the top schools in Japan) also invited his basketball coach (the legendary Ideguchi) to the game - who sat in the stands and cheered on the young prodigy. Kawamura also won the MVP of Japan's B-League, in his first year of playing (of course - was ROY as well!).

This proves to show you not to underestimate your opponent no matter who this opponent is. Japan showed what Greece showed in 2004 that you cannot take underdogs for granted. Two thumps up from Canada.

172 awesome

Asian guys looking at this amazing dude and saying literally me on the court 🐐

I love japanese teams in all sports. They remind me a lot of my country Greece. They might not be the best team on paper and usually they are underdogs, but they always play with their soul. They give player1 vibes 😎