Iran water polo runners-up at 2025 Asian Aquatics Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s water polo team lost to China 16-15 on Saturday in the final match of the 2025 Asian Aquatics Championships.

The match went to a penalty shootout after an 11-11 draw and chine emerged victorious 5-4.

Team Melli defeated China (14-9), Hong Kong (22-10), Uzbekistan (28-7), Thailand (21-6), and Japan (19-18) in the competition.

Iran will play winner of China and Kazakhstan in the final match on Saturday.

The 11th Asian Aquatics Championships take place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 11 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, India.