The 10th Asian Men’s & Women’s Beach Handball Championship came to a successful conclusion today at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The championship, held from 6 to 15 May 2025, showcased some of the finest talent in Asian beach handball and marked a major milestone in the continued growth of the sport across the continent.
In the men’s competition, host nation Oman delivered a flawless performance, culminating in a 2–0 victory over the Islamic Republic of Iran in the final match to secure the gold medal. This triumph marks a historic moment for Oman, which returned to the top of the podium after 21 years. The last time Oman claimed the gold was during the inaugural edition of the championship in 2004, also held in Muscat.
Nine teams participated in the men’s tournament, divided into two groups. Group A featured Oman, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong–China, and Maldives. Oman emerged dominant in this group, winning all its matches without dropping a single set. Saudi Arabia followed, having lost only to the hosts.
Group B consisted of five teams: the Islamic Republic of Iran, Philippines, Jordan, Pakistan, and India. I. R. Iran topped the group with an unbeaten run, while Jordan and Pakistan followed with strong performances. Despite a valiant effort, India did not managed a single win and was eliminated at the group stage, finishing in ninth place.
The quarterfinals saw some intense clashes, with Pakistan surprising Saudi Arabia by winning 2–1. Jordan secured a straightforward 2–0 victory over Hong Kong–China, while Oman overcame a stiff challenge from the Philippines to win 2–1. I. R. Iran comfortably defeated Maldives in straight sets.
In the semifinals, I. R. Iran advanced by defeating their regional rivals Pakistan 2–0, and Oman dispatched Jordan by the same margin.
The bronze medal match proved to be a thriller, with Pakistan narrowly overcoming Jordan 2–1 in a shootout that ended 7–6. This bronze medal marks Pakistan’s return to the Asian podium after 18 years, with their last medals being a gold in 2007 and a bronze in 2004—both in previous editions of this championship.
In the final, Oman displayed dominance once again, defeating I. R. Iran in straight sets to claim the gold medal in front of a jubilant home crowd. The victory not only reaffirmed Oman’s historic strength in beach handball but also earned them qualification for the upcoming 12th IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship in 2026, alongside runners-up I. R. Iran.
The women’s competition was contested by four teams, Vietnam, Philippines, India, and Hong Kong–China, playing in a double round-robin format. Vietnam emerged as the undisputed champions, winning all six of their matches to secure the gold medal. The Vietnamese side showcased exceptional consistency and skill throughout the tournament. The Philippines earned the silver medal, marking their second consecutive podium finish following the 2023 edition. India, having secured two victories over Hong Kong–China, took home the bronze medal. This is India’s second bronze in the competition’s history, following their previous medal in the 2022 edition when only three teams participated.
The closing ceremony was held in an atmosphere of celebration and international camaraderie. It was graced by the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including, President of the International Handball Federation Dr. Hassan Moustafa (Egypt); AHF Secretary General Muhammad Shafiq (Pakistan); AHF Finance Director Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait); and President of the Oman Handball Association Moosa Khamis Al-Bulushi. The medals were presented by the honoured guests, who praised the high level of competition, professionalism of the athletes, and the excellent organization provided by the Oman Handball Association.
With this championship concluded, Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the men’s category, and Vietnam and the Philippines in the women’s category, have officially qualified for the 12th IHF Men’s & Women’s Beach Handball World Championships, scheduled to be held in 2026 at a venue yet to be announced.
The Asian Handball Federation congratulates all participating teams and expresses its sincere appreciation to the Oman Handball Association for their outstanding efforts in hosting a successful championship.