In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Iran’s national junior women’s handball team claimed the gold medal at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, marking the first-ever handball gold in Iran’s sporting history. The young Iranian side finished the tournament undefeated, securing six consecutive victories against Asia’s top contenders.
Six Straight Wins — A Perfect Run
Team Iran concluded their campaign on a high note with a 37–21 victory over Hong Kong, completing a flawless performance in the round-robin tournament. Prior to that, the Iranian girls had already stunned powerhouses such as China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and India, securing the title even before their final match.
Their results were:
- vs China: 30–25
- vs Uzbekistan: 27–24
- vs Kazakhstan: 27–23
- vs Thailand: 32–16
- vs India: 43–26
- vs Hong Kong: 37–21
With these six victories, Iran stood unrivaled at the top of the table with 12 points, becoming undisputed Asian champions.
Dominance from Start to Finish
In the decisive match against India, held at Umm al-Hassam Hall in Manama, Iran led 23–13 by halftime and powered through to a 43–26 win, officially sealing the title. The team’s consistency and tactical discipline throughout the competition earned widespread praise from coaches and international media.
The Asian Handball Federation and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) both confirmed Iran’s victory as one of the standout moments of the Games, calling it a “historic breakthrough for women’s handball in Asia.”
The Team Behind the Triumph
Led by head coach Maryam Rezaeian, the Iranian roster included:
Sana Fotouhi Bafghi, Reyhaneh Hosseini, Sarina Rostami, Parisan Ahmadi Khosravi, Zahra Afshari, Fatemeh Olfatnia, Hasti Sheikh-Alizadeh, Fatemeh Behzadi-Moghadam, Melika Safikhani, Hasti Arianfar, Tina Khoshnejad Irani, Aseman Badavi, Arezou Taleei Bafghi, Negar Babasafari, Dina Derakhshanmehr, and Diana Rezaei.
The tournament took place from October 19 to 30, 2025, as part of the 3rd Asian Youth Games hosted in Manama, Bahrain.
A Milestone for Iranian Women’s Sports
This unprecedented victory symbolizes a new chapter for women’s sports in Iran. National leaders, sporting federations, and fans have celebrated the young athletes’ triumph, calling it a testament to their talent, teamwork, and unyielding spirit.
The Iranian girls’ golden run in Bahrain will be remembered as a turning point in the nation’s handball history — and a proud moment for all of Iranian sport.