File photo of Qatar players celebrate after qualifying for the semi-final.
Kuwait: The Qatari national handball team won the silver medal at the 22nd Asian Men's Handball Championship after losing to Bahrain 26-29 in the final match held in Kuwait. The tournament served as a qualifier for the 2027 World Men's Handball Championship in Germany.
Bahrain led 14-11 at halftime, but Qatar rallied in the second half to tie the game at 24-24, forcing overtime. Bahrain took the lead in the first overtime period, 27-25, and Qatar attempted to equalize in the second overtime period but were unsuccessful.
Kuwait finished third overall, winning the bronze medal after defeating Japan 33-32 in the third-place match that preceded the final.
The Qatari national team failed to secure its seventh consecutive title in the tournament, having won the continental championship in the previous six editions in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
The South Korean national team holds the record for the most Asian Men's Handball Championship titles with nine, followed by Qatar with six, Kuwait with four, Japan with two, and Bahrain, which won the 2026 title for the first time in its history.
The Qatari national team had already secured qualification for the 2027 World Championship, to be held in Germany, marking its eleventh appearance in the tournament.
