TEHRAN - China clinched their first-ever title in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship after battling past Iran 3-2 (23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 20-25, 15-10) in a thrilling final played at the Bahrain Volleyball Association’s (BVA) Isa bin Rashid Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa.

China had previously won bronze four times, most recently in 2017, and now improved on their fifth-place finish from the last edition of the championship in 2022. Iran came away with the silver medal for the third time and for the second straight edition.

The top two were joined on the podium by Pakistan, who claimed the bronze medal following a stunning 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-17) victory over Japan.