Sanya, China, April 29, 2026: The Islamic Republic of Iran went gold medal crazy at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, on Wednesday, April 29.
Iran won seven gold medals on the penultimate day of competition, giving them nine gold medals in total and lifting them into third place in the overall medal rankings behind China (24) and Thailand (10).
Iran powered their way to all four gold medals in men’s beach wrestling and added further gold in three prestigious team sports – men’s water polo, men’s beach soccer and men’s beach handball.
Up until Wednesday, Iran had won only two gold medals at the ABG – one apiece in beach athletics and men’s kabaddi – but now they guaranteed a third-place finish in the final rankings with nine gold and one silver for 10 total medals.
Leaders China won three more gold medals on Wednesday, one in women’s beach wrestling, the women’s 3x3 basketball title and the other in speed climbing – a third of the Games in this sport – to move on to 24 gold medals in total.
With 17 silver and 13 bronze medals, China have amassed a total of 54 gold medals.
Thailand in second place have 10 gold medals, nine silver and eight bronze medals for 27 total medals, ahead of Iran on nine gold. The Thais won the women’s beach volleyball title on Wednesday.
The Philippines and India are fourth and fifth, respectively, with three gold medals each, followed by Vietnam, United Arab Emirates and Qatar all with two gold medals.
Fourteen NOCs have won at least one gold medal, while 31 NOCs have won at least one medal.
The 62nd and final gold medal of Sanya 2026 will be awarded on Thursday morning in the women’s beach handball when Vietnam play China.
The closing ceremony will be held at the Sanya Asian Beach Games Park on Thursday evening, starting at 8pm and lasting one hour.