HANGZHOU – Iran’s women’s and men’s basketball teams defeated their rivals at the 2022 Asian Para Games on Saturday.

The women’s team beat Laos 72-29. Iran had lost to Japan and Thailand in their first two matches.

Team Melli will play Cambodia on Tuesday.

The men’s team beat China 72-42 in Group A at the HOC Gymnasium.

Iran, who had defeated Afghanistan 91-33 in their first match, will face the Philippines on Tuesday.

Wheelchair basketball is one of the events at the 2022 Asian Para Games, which takes place in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, from Oct. 19 to 27.

A total of 128 male athletes will represent Iran in 16 events and 82 female athletes will compete in 11 events.

Iran finished in third place in the 2018 Asian Para Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Para shooter Sareh Javanmardi will carry Iran’s flag at the opening ceremony, slated for Sunday.

Iran’s slogan in the 2022 Asian Para Games is “Faith, Iran, Honor” and the name of the delegation is “Children of Iran”.

Hangzhou 2022 will take place from Oct. 22 to 28. An estimated 3,000 athletes will compete across 22 sports.