The Iranian women’s national handball team achieved a groundbreaking milestone at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, earning the bronze medal after a controlled and confident victory over Uzbekistan. The result marks the first-ever international medal for Iran’s senior women’s handball team—an achievement that holds major significance for the future of women’s sport in the country.
Dominant Performance Seals the Bronze
Team Melli delivered one of its finest performances in recent years, defeating Uzbekistan 29–25 in a match that highlighted their tactical maturity and exceptional teamwork. The Iranian players closed the first half with a 15–11 lead, relying on solid defensive organization and rapid counterattacks to keep their opponents under pressure.
In the second half, Iran maintained full control of the match. Through precise game management, disciplined rotation, and calm handling of high-pressure moments, they prevented any comeback attempts from Uzbekistan and protected their lead until the final whistle.
Road to the Podium
Despite a challenging start with a 36–28 loss to Turkey, Iran quickly recovered and earned a crucial 23–21 win over Guinea in the group stage. The team’s strong momentum carried them into the semifinals, where they narrowly fell 29–26 to Kazakhstan, setting the stage for their decisive bronze-medal showdown.
The squad representing Iran in Riyadh included: Fatemeh Khalili, Arezou Mohammadi, Mina Vatanparast, Sanaz Rajabi, Hanieh Karimi, Fatemeh Merikh, Hediyeh Hafez, Setareh Rahmanian, Negar Zendehboudi, Nastaran Goodarzi Farahani, Hadiseh Norouzi, Atieh Shahsavari, Arezou Kiani-Ara, Bahar Izadgeshab, Aseman Badavi, and Seyyedeh Leila Hosseini.
A Historic Moment for Iranian Women’s Sport
The bronze won in Riyadh represents more than a single triumph—it is a milestone for Iranian women’s sports. The team’s success reflects years of development, improved training systems, and the growing visibility of women athletes in Iran’s sporting landscape. Their podium finish is expected to inspire younger athletes and draw greater national attention to women’s handball.
From: SNN