New Delhi: The Iranian men's team secured third place in the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup, which was held in New Delhi, India. Iran's National Kho Kho team achieved this position after a commendable performance throughout the tournament, despite losing to Nepal 72-20 in the semifinals on Sunday.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in the final match of the tournament, India defeated Nepal 54-36 to claim the championship title. The Iranian team had earlier displayed strong performances against several international teams, securing victories over Argentina (117-14), South Africa (56-32), and Ghana (61-30), which facilitated their advancement to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Iran's national team convincingly triumphed over Kenya with an 86-18 score, ensuring their place in the semifinals. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Iranian team in the first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup, which took place at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi, India, from January 13 to 19, 2025.

Kho Kho is a traditional South Asian sport with historical roots in ancient India and Nepal. It stands as the second-most popular traditional tag game in the Indian subcontinent, following kabaddi. The game is played on a rectangular court with a central lane that connects two poles located at either end, showcasing its unique dynamics and cultural significance. Kho Kho, along with other indigenous Indian sports like kabaddi and mallakhamb, was demonstrated on the sidelines of the Berlin 1936 Olympics.