also: はっきょう
noun
quarterfinal round; final eight
Sports term for the round where eight competitors or teams remain. Often used in tournament contexts.
日本代表は８強入りを果たした。
The Japanese national team advanced to the quarterfinals.
８強が出そろった。
The final eight have been decided.
準々決勝 is the standard formal term for 'quarterfinal', while ８強 is a more casual, media-friendly expression often used in headlines.
Compound of ８ (eight) and 強 (strong), literally 'the strong eight'. Modeled after similar expressions like ４強 (final four).