The 18th Asian Women’s Junior Handball Championship was successfully held from 20 to 29 August 2025 at the Alpomish Ice Palace in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, marking the first time the competition was hosted by the Handball Federation of Uzbekistan (HFU). The tournament also acted as a qualification event for the 25th IHF Women’s Junior (U20) Handball World Championship, to be held from 24 June to 5 July 2026, with the top four teams securing their places.
For the first time in history, Japan were crowned continental champions, defeating the Republic of Korea in a thrilling final by 20–18. This historic victory came just two years after the same generation delivered Japan’s first-ever title at the 10th Asian Women’s Youth Handball Championship 2023. Prior to this triumph, Japan had finished as runners-up on five occasions and claimed bronze six times, but had never managed to dethrone Republic of Korea, who had won 16 of the previous 17 editions.
Preliminary Round
In Group A, the People’s Republic of China dominated with three wins: 32–11 against Hong Kong–China, 27–14 against Chinese Taipei, and 36–21 against India. Chinese Taipei beat Hong Kong–China 32–15 and narrowly edged India 31–28 to advance. India managed a single win, 39–25 against Hong Kong–China, while Uzbekistan were disqualified from the competition due to the participation of ineligible players.
In Group B, the Republic of Korea topped the group with emphatic victories, including 69–5 against Kyrgyzstan, 40–17 against Kazakhstan, and 39–19 over I. R. Iran, before narrowly defeating Japan 23–21 in a thrilling group finale. Japan also impressed with wins of 41–14 against Kazakhstan, 30–18 against I. R. Iran, and a record 95–8 over Kyrgyzstan, advancing in second place. I. R. Iran registered victories against Kazakhstan (37–25) and Kyrgyzstan (77–12), while Kazakhstan managed a 58–22 win against Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan ended winless.
Knockout and Placement Matches
The 5th–8th placement round began with India edging Kazakhstan 34–33 and I. R. Iran defeating Hong Kong–China 39–20. In the semi-finals, Japan beat P. R. China 26–19 and Republic of Korea overcame Chinese Taipei 31–17 to set up the anticipated final clash.
Among the further placement matches, India edged the I. R. Iran 22–21 to finish fifth, while Kazakhstan overcame Hong Kong–China 45–37 for seventh place.
Medal Matches
In the bronze medal match, P. R. China defeated Chinese Taipei 22–17 to secure third place and the final qualifying berth for the World Championship.
The gold medal match was a classic, as Japan defeated defending champions Republic of Korea 20–18, securing their first-ever Asian Women’s Junior Championship title and ending Republic of Korea’s historic dominance, having won 16 of the previous 17 editions.
Awards and All-Star Team
The gold medals were presented to Japan by AHF Treasurer Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait). The silver medals were awarded to the Republic of Korea by AHF Secretary General and President of Pakistan Handball Federation Muhammad Shafiq (Pakistan). The bronze medals were presented to P. R. China by Chairman of the AHF Coaching & Methods Commission Prof. Dr. Chung Hyun-kyung (Republic of Korea), together with Representative from Republican High School Saidkhon Boykhujaev.
The All-Star Team awards were conferred by AHF Treasurer Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait), Chairman of the AHF Playing Rules and Referees Commission Saleh Bin Ashour (United Arab Emirates), and Chairperson of the AHF Promotion and Public Relations Commission Mitra Noori (Islamic Republic of Iran).
All Star Team:
MVP: Wakana Kita (Japan)
Top Scorer: Aseman Badavi (I. R. Iran) – 65 goals
Goalkeeper: Fu Yu-jun (Chinese Taipei)
Right Back: Jing Liang (P. R. China)
Left Back: Ai Nakao (Japan)
Centre Back: Kim Bo-kyeong (Republic of Korea)
Right Wing: Lee Ye-seo (Republic of Korea)
Left Wing: Jurina Kio (Japan)
Pivot: Yue Yang (P. R. China)
Final Standings:
1st – Japan *
2nd – Republic of Korea *
3rd – People’s Republic of China *
4th – Chinese Taipei *
5th – India
6th – Islamic Republic of Iran
7th – Kazakhstan
8th – Hong Kong–China
9th – Kyrgyzstan
DSQ – Uzbekistan (Disqualified)
(*) Qualified for the 25th IHF Women’s Junior (U20) Handball World Championship to be held from 24 June to 5 July 2026.
All the match results and reports are available on the competition mini-website.