TEHRAN – Iran national water polo team ended decades of wait for winning a medal at the Asian Games.

Team Melli defeated China 16-15 on penalty shootout (8-8 in the regular time) at the GBK - Aquatic Center in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday.

Iran won their first medal since 1974 Asian Games, where Team Melli defeated China in the final match.

Soon after the bronze medal match, Iran captain Ali Piroozkhah announced his retirement from the sport.

The 18th Asian Games stage 465 events out of 40 sports, among which 330 events from 32 sports will feature in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Games, attracting more than 10,000 athletes, will run through Sept. 2.