CAPE TOWN: Australia emerged as champion of the 2023 netball World Cup, concluding in Cape Town on Sunday evening, reported Xinhua.
The Australians clinched a decisive 61-45 victory over England in the final, securing their unprecedented 12th title of the tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. This win also marked the end of the inaugural Netball World Cup hosted on African terrain.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the trophy to Australia.
Australia, still carrying the weight of a one-point loss to New Zealand from the previous edition in Liverpool, ensured history would not repeat itself this time.
England, after triumphing over New Zealand in the semifinal, was making their maiden appearance in a Netball World Cup final.
In contrast, this was Australia’s ninth straight gold medal contest. They have maintained a stellar record, never finishing below second in the six-decade history of the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Jamaica bested New Zealand 52-45, clinching the bronze.
This victory marked their first podium finish since 2007. Host South Africa, meanwhile, fell to Uganda, settling for a sixth-place finish. – BERNAMA-XINHUA