China responded with 13.033 from Zhang and 13.100 from Ke before Qiu closed the competition with 12.833, enough to preserve a narrow winning margin.

　　Japan's bronze ended a 60-year wait for a women's team medal at the World Championships, with its previous podium finish coming in 1966. Aiko Sugihara contributed 14.200 on vault and 13.900 on floor to help Japan finish comfortably ahead of fourth-placed France.

　　France scored 161.130, followed by Brazil with 159.730, Russia with 159.394, Italy with 158.129 and Canada with 158.096.

　　The championships continue with the men's all-around final on Thursday and the women's all-around final on Friday, followed by the apparatus finals over the weekend.■

　　Gold medalists team China (C), silver medalists team USA (L) and bronze medalists team Japan celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the women's team final at Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2026 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

　　Ke Qinqin of team China competes during the women's team final at Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2026 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

　　Qiu Qiyuan of team China competes during the women's team final at Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2026 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)