A three-run homer from Chieh-Hsien Chen launched Chinese Taipei to their first WBSC Premier12 title with a stunning 4-0 win over hosts Japan in the final of the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS at a sold out Tokyo Dome on Sunday.
A total of 41,827 fans, including more than 6,000 from Taiwan, packed into the Tokyo Dome to witness world No. 2 Chinese Taipei beat world No. 1 and defending champions Japan in breathtaking style.
The final was international baseball at its best, with a brilliant contest between the two Asian powerhouses, riding on the support of their cheering squads before Chinese Taipei captain Chen opened the score with a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to earn MVP honours.
Japan, who had held every title in international baseball except for the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, started the final as hot favourites having not lost in 27 games whilst coming off two victories over Chinese Taipei already in the tournament including in Saturday’s final Super Round game in an unbeaten run which dated back to the Asian Games in 2022.
Chieh-Hsien Chen is the WBSC Premier12 2024 MVP
Chinese Taipei, who had suffered three defeats during their Premier12 2024 campaign, claimed their first trophy since lifting the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup and WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup (when they beat Japan) in 2019.
It was Chinese Taipei’s 16th win against Japan in 39 encounters and the first since the Asian Games 2019.
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