Vietnam’s women and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s men have won their respective titles at the 2026 edition of the Asian Beach Games, held in Sanya, People’s Republic of China from 22 to 30 April.

A total of 63 games were played in the Chinese beach resort, with 48 games in an expanded men’s tournament and 15 in the women’s competition.

Iran back to continental winning ways

After losing the final of the 2025 AHF Asian Men’s Beach Handball Championships to Oman last year, Iran stormed back to the top of the continental podium, defeating Qatar 2-1 (18:10, 10:15, SO 9:6) in a hard-fought final which went to a shoot-out. 

Abdulrazzaq Murad saw his – and Qatar’s third – shot saved, with Iran’s Ali Shirani Dastjerdi single point with his side’s fifth shot enough to take the title.

Up until the semi-final stage, both finalists had won all their games 2-0. Qatar taking down Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Jordan, Thailand and Maldives, while Iran saw off Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and China.

Iran were then taken the distance by Thailand in their semi-final, relying on a miss from Kittipong Ruksawong in the shoot-out, to take a 2-1 (19:16, 16:18, SO 8:6) victory.

Thailand overcame Bahrain for bronze, 2-0 as Oman and Iran now turn their attentions to the 2026 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship in Croatia this June.

Vietnam in good form ahead of 2026 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship

After winning the Asian championship last year, Vietnam’s women continued their continental dominance, but the impressive China pushed them all the way in a tense gold medal shoot-out, losing 2-1 (20:18, 20:21, SO 9:6).

With just 80 seconds left in the first set, China went ahead 18:16, but had a chance moments later to go 20:16 up with less than a minute remaining, but Chunyan Fan missed her shot and they were made to pay, as four points from Thi Thanh Huyen Dam overturned the deficit to take a 20:18 win. 

A tense second set saw China, buoyed on by their home crowd, score a crucial single point through Ye Zhao with just four seconds remaining to take it to a shoot-out. But it was heartbreak for the hosts as China missed their second shot and Vietnam’s Thi Anh Tuyet Nguyen single pointer with their fifth shot ensuring gold would leave the host nation.

Up until that point, Vietnam had won all their games without conceding a set, 2-0. In the preliminary group stage they beat Thailand, Hong Kong and Philippines and then Turkmenistan in the semi-final. Final opponents China had almost a similar record, seeing off Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan in the preliminary group stage, but were taken to a shoot-out in their semi-final clash against Thailand.

In the bronze medal match, Thailand beat beach handball newcomers Turkmenistan 2-0.

"All our players gave their full effort and competed with total commitment," said China coach Shang Xi to local media after the loss. “We made a few mistakes and failed to adjust in time. Vietnam are very strong, but we have learned valuable lessons and will prepare better for future competitions.”
Vietnam won their third continental gold in a row (after 2022 and 2023) and sixth podium spot in a row (2015 - bronze, 2017 - silver, 2019 - silver, 2022 - gold, 2023 gold, 2025 gold) at the continental championships last year and retaining the title in a competition last played a decade ago, highlights their clear dominance in the women’s game in Asia.

“I feel deeply emotional and proud. It was an extremely tough match as China pushed us to our limits. But in those moments, our experience made a difference. We stayed calm, trusted each other, and reminded ourselves why we started this journey. That belief carried us through,” said Vietnam’s Ngoc Trinh after winning gold in China, to ihf.info

“Winning again after 10 years brings back so many memories from 2016. It’s not just about a medal. it’s about a long journey, with ups and downs, and the privilege of still being here, still fighting for my country. I’m truly grateful for that. To win the second title in a row reflects not only our strength, but also our resilience across generations. From 10 years ago until now, we’ve kept the spirit alive. New players come in, but the fighting mentality and pride for Vietnam remain the same. That’s what makes us strong.”

And for Trinh, the event was extra special – she was one of the flagbearers for her country in the opening ceremony, representing Vietnam and beach handball to a continental, if not, global audience.

“Carrying the national flag was one of the most emotional moments of my career,” she said. “After 10 years, I’m still here, still able to represent Vietnam. it’s something I don’t take for granted. This journey, the sacrifices, the teammates beside me. These are the memories I will carry with me forever.”

Now, Trinh and her teammates will be hoping to bring that winning mentality into the upcoming world championship, set to take place in Zagreb, Croatia in June and create more of those memories.

“The Asian Beach Games means a lot to us. It’s not only a title, but also a valuable test before the world championship. It shows us where we are, what we need to improve, and gives us confidence to face stronger opponents ahead.

“For me, I’ll keep giving my absolute best in every tournament. I know I still have areas to improve, so I’ll continue working on my weaknesses and learning from other teams. Because everything starts from zero the moment you step down from the podium even after reaching the highest honour.”

Closing ceremony and moving on to Philippines

After the final medals had been presented at the event, an impressive closing ceremony took place at Yasha Park, with traditional Chinese fireworks lighting up the sky above Sanya Bay.

“Together, as one Asia, we have made history," said Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani in his closing speech. “United by our love of sport and a shared dream, we showed the very best of our continent.”

Following further speeches, including one from Gao Zhidan, president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Sanya Asian Beach Games organising committee, the flag handover ceremony for the next Asian Beach Games hosts took place, with Cebu in Philippines poised to host the 2028 edition, the city ending the ceremony with an artistic performance ahead of the Sanya 2026 cauldron being extinguished as yet more fireworks lit the night sky.

About the Asian Beach Games

Previous editions of the Asian Beach Games have taken place in Bali, Indonesia (2008), Muscat, Oman (2010), Haiyang, China (2012), Phuket, Thailand (2014) and Da Nang, Vietnam (2016) with a 2020 scheduled edition cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

Beach handball has featured at all five previous editions of the event with Qatar (men) and Vietnam (women) the current title-holders. Pakistan and China (2008), Kuwait and China (2010), Qatar and China (2012), Qatar and Thailand (2012) are the previous men’s and women’s winners respectively.

The 2026 Asian Beach Games featured 1,790 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 62 events: 3x3 basketball, aquatics (open water swimming and water polo), aquathlon, athletics, beach handball, kabaddi, football, volleyball, wrestling, rowing, jiu-jitsu, sailing, sport climbing and teqball.

For all the 2026 Asian Beach Games handball match results and statistics, visit here and to watch games again, click here.

Final Ranking

Men’s competition
1 Islamic Republic of Iran
2 Qatar
3 Thailand
4 Bahrain

Women’s competition
1 Vietnam
2 People’s Republic of China
3 Thailand
4 Turkmenistan

Results

Men’s competition
Preliminary Group A: People’s Republic of China (CHN), Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), Philippines (PHI), Hong Kong (HKG), Sri Lanka (SRI), Bahrain (BRN)

Preliminary Group B: Oman (OMA), Pakistan (PAK), Jordan (JOR), Maldives (MDV), Bangladesh (BAN), Thailand (THA), Qatar (QAT), Mongolia (MGL)

Preliminary Group stage
JOR v THA 0-2
PHI v HKG 2-0
PAK v QAT 0-2
CHN v BRN 0-2
MDV v BAN 2-1
OMA v MGL 2-0
IRI v PHI 2-0
JOR v MDV 2-0
PAK v BAN 2-0
CHN v SRI 2-0
MGL v THA 0-2
OMA v QAT 0-2
BRN v PHI 2-1
HKG v PHI 2-0
QAT v BAN 2-0
MGL v MDV 1-2
PAK v JOR 0-2
OMA v THA 0-2
SRI v HKG 1-2
QAT v MGL 2-0
BAN v JOR 0-2
THA v PAK 2-1
SRI v IRI 0-2
OMA v MDV 2-0
MGL v PAK 0-2
HKG v CHN 0-2
QAT v JOR 2-0
BRN v SRI 2-0
THA v MDV 2-0
IRI v HKG 2-0
PHI v CHN 1-2
OMA v BAN 2-0
THA v QAT 0-2
MDV PAK 0-2
IRI v BRN 2-0
BAN v MGL 2-0
OMA v JOR 2-0
PHI v SRI 2-0
BAN v THA 0-2
HKG v BRN 0-2
MDV v QAT 0-2
JOR v MGL 2-0
CHN v IRI 0-2
OMA v PAK 2-0
Semi-Final: IRI v THA 2-1
Semi-Final: QAT v BRN 2-0
Bronze Medal Match: THA v BRN 2-0
Gold Medal Match: IRI v QAT 2-1

Women’s competition

Preliminary Group A: Vietnam (VIE), Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand
Preliminary Group B: China, Turkmenistan (TKM), Sri Lanka, Mongolia

Preliminary Group stage
MGL v CHN 0-2
THA v VIE 0-2
SRI v CHN 0-2
THA v PHI 2-1
SRI v TKM 0-2
HKG v VIE 0-2
MGL v SRI 0-2
TKM v CHN 0-2
HKG v THA 1-2
MGL v TKM 1-2
VIE v PHI 2-0
Semi-Final: VIE v TKM 2-0
Semi-Final: CHN v THA 2-1
Bronze Medal Match: TKM v THA 0-2
Gold Medal Match: VIE v CHN 2-1