USA have won their fourth consecutive gold medal at the women's basketball World Cup by defeating China 83-61 in front of a sold-out crowd at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
Undefeated at the World Cup since 2006, the Americans were overwhelming favourites throughout the tournament and have now automatically qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
China's size and skills made them the only team truly able to test the US this tournament but ultimately the star-studded team of WNBA stars had more routes to the basket and punished their rivals' errors.
Their eventual 22-point victory broke the record for biggest win in the final of a women's basketball World Cup.
China were without their leading scorer Meng Li so looked to the one-two punch of Xu Han and Yueru Li, both of whom stand over two metres tall, to challenge the prolific Americans.
But the USA had strike weapons across the court and were especially potent from turnovers and fast-breaks as they held a modest lead in the second quarter.
China's Weina Jin sunk a three as the shot clock expired in the final four seconds before halftime to cut the deficit down to 10.
The Chinese began the third quarter with five turnovers and were lucky the US were unable to fully capitalise.
A contender for the All-Star Five, Alyssa Thomas left the court in that term after injuring her shoulder in a collision with Yueru Li.
The USA's depth had already been tested by a hip injury to Kahleah Copper, who did not play after the quarter-finals, but Thomas was able to return just before the final change.
Reigning WNBA defensive player of the year A'ja Wilson put the finishing touches on her own case for selection in the All-Star Five with another busy night.
She fired off 16 first-half points and was the defensive linchpin as the US pulled away with a 25-14 third quarter.
A 10-2 start to the last period confirmed victory for the USA with Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd, Wilson and Chelsea Gray finishing in double figures for points.
China's Tongtong Wu (13 points, three assists) needed to be carried off the court after suffering a knee injury in the final quarter, pushing a comeback further out of reach.
China's second-place finish is their equal-best result at the World Cup and marks their first medal at the tournament since clinching silver in 1994.
MEDALS AT THE WORLD CUP:
Gold: USA
Silver: China
Bronze: Australia
