TEHRAN – Iran’s women’s ice hockey player Asal Heydari is very happy to win the 2024 IIHF Women's Asia and Oceania Cup.

Heydari made history after signing with Swedish club Hammarby IF at the Nationella Damhockeyligan (NDHL) last year. She became the first ever Iranian woman to play in a league outside the country.

Heydari, 31, began playing inline hockey and started her ice hockey career in 2009.

Heydari was a vital player of Team Melli, scoring eight goals in the tournament held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

She was chosen the best goalscorer of the tournament.

“I am very happy to win the title. We won a silver medal last year in Thailand and earned a gold medal in this edition,” Heydari said.

“I want to thanks my teammates for helping me to win the best goalscorer accolade,” she added.

“We defeated the UAE, Kyrgyzstan and India before playing the Philippines in our last match. I have to say we did a great job, beating the Philippines in the last match,” Heydari concluded.