Following a 26-year break between trophies, Republic of Korea won their third Asian Men’s Junior Championship when the 10-day competition concluded in Salalah, Oman on Thursday night. The last time Korea raised the Asian Men’s Junior Championship trophy was in 1992, after they claimed the title at the very first edition of the event in 1988.

 

The fact that Korea consistently came close to the big prize during many years of dominance from Kuwait and Qatar, but could never quite reach the podium, makes the success in 2018 even sweeter. The newly crowned Asian champions have left with a medal at eight of the last nine Asian Men’s Junior Championships. Kuwait won every title from 2000 to 2008, before Qatar stepped into the spotlight and raised every trophy from 2010 to 2016.

 

It was a thrilling day of finals, as Korea won the title after defeating Japan 27:25 in an extra-time gold-medal match. For Japan, it is the first ever silver medal in the event and their best result in history. Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia 29:28 to take the bronze medal – and round out the list of teams qualified for the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in Spain. The bronze medal is Bahrain’s best result in this event since they won the title in 1998.

 

Korea reached the final following an undefeated campaign. In the preliminary round, Korea beat Lebanon, People’s Republic of China and their final opponents Japan to book a spot in main round Group 1. Korea topped the group with wins over hosts Oman, Bahrain and Iraq, thereby securing their place in the semi-finals, where they defeated Saudi Arabia 24:19.

 

The final ranking of the 2018 Asian Men’s Junior Championship is as follows:

 

1. Korea

2. Japan

3. Bahrain

4. Saudi Arabia

5. Iran

6. Iraq

7. Qatar

8. Oman

9. P.R. of China

10. Chinese Taipei

11. India

12. Lebanon

13. Syria

14. Yemen

 

The full results of the 2018 Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship can be found here. 

Photos: Asian Handball Federation