Belgium celebrate en route to victory in the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Cup in Chengdu ©Getty Images

Belgium’s men and the United States women’s won gold at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 Under-18 World Cup in Chengdu today.

Just a year after unexpectedly reaching the final of the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 Europe Cup, where they finished runners-up, Belgium’s men went one better in China as they beat neighbours The Netherlands 17-12.

Belgium’s Noah Fogang Tchendjou top-scored in final, while the tournament's Most Valuable Player Ayoub Nouhi added five points.

The Dutch top scorer, Boyd Van der Vuurst De Vries, was limited to just five points.

Slovenia won bronze in a tense 21-17 win over New Zealand (21-17).

Belgium and the United States display their trophies after the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Cup in Chengdu ©FIBA
Belgium and the United States display their trophies after the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Cup in Chengdu ©FIBA

Just a few hours after hitting a game-winner in overtime against Ukraine in the quarter-finals, tournament top scorer Samo Gabersek did it again in the bronze-medal game, which earned him a spot on the Team of the Tournament.

The US women ended a four-year run without a gold medal as they dominated the Czech Republic in their final, winning 21-14.

Janelle Bailey was unstoppable, scoring 11 points that propelled her on top of the scoring charts.

As with the Dutch men, the Czech Republic’s women have enjoyed their best performance in the competition in the year their federation joined the FIBA 3x3 Fast Track development scheme.

Russia’s women earned bronze with a 12-8 win over Hungary.

The 3x3 discipline was officially added to the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games earlier this month.