2026 Asian Men’s Handball Championship: Bahrain finally break through, Kuwait edge Japan for bronze

Posted on 2. February 2026.

After years of coming close on the Asian stage, Bahrain captured their first continental title with a dramatic 29–26 (AET) victory over Qatar in the final, snapping the long-running dominance of the defending champions.

Final: Bahrain 29–26 Qatar (after extra time)

Bahrain looked in control late, still holding a three-goal cushion in the final minutes of regulation, but Qatar stormed back to force 24–24 after 60 minutes. In overtime, Bahrain responded with their best sequence of the night—clinical finishing and renewed defensive bite—to finally get over the line and lift the trophy.

Bahrain’s breakthrough was also a personal milestone for coach Robert Hedin, who guided the team through the tense finish and the decisive extra-time surge.

Bronze medal match: Kuwait 33–32 Japan

The third-place playoff delivered its own thriller as Kuwait edged Japan 33–32 to claim bronze—Kuwait’s first medal at this event in many years, secured in front of the home crowd.

Kuwait had earlier produced a memorable semi-final push under Aron Kristjansson, and they capped the tournament by holding their nerve in the one-goal decider.