Iran’s U17 men’s handball team has taken the crown at the first-ever Asian Men’s U17 Handball Championship, edging out powerhouse South Korea in a hard-fought final.
The young Iranian squad, unbeaten throughout the tournament with an impressive 8-0 record, showed why they’re being hailed as a “golden generation” in the sport back home.
After a tense first half that ended 13-11 in Iran’s favor, both teams battled fiercely in the second half, with South Korea leveling the score early on. But Iran’s relentless offense and rock-solid defense pulled through for a 28-25 victory.
This marks a monumental moment for Iran’s handball, their first boys’ Asian title in nearly two decades, signaling a new era for the sport in the country.
The win also guarantees Iran a spot at the upcoming U17 World Championship later this year.
Meanwhile, Qatar claimed third place with a 33-26 win over Bahrain in the bronze medal match.
The tournament, hosted in Jordan from September 15, wrapped up with Iran standing tall as the new kings of Asian youth handball.