Iran 'put hearts on the court' to win Asian Games basketball bronze

NAGOYA - Iran defied a spirited comeback by China to secure a bronze medal in men's basketball at the Asian Games on Sunday, a moment of triumph that left their players stunned after months of conflict at home. In the first half, China led by 31-29, but Iran's third quarter surge propelled them to a 55-46 advantage entering the final quarter, ultimately clinching the victory and leaving the court awash with jubilant celebrations.

Arsalan Kazemi, a towering 202cm power forward who in 2013 made history as the first Iranian player drafted by the NBA's Washington Wizards but never played a regular season game, expressed his amazement at the team's ability to overcome such monumental pressure. "To be honest with you, I'm just speechless," he admitted. "The pressure we were under is just out of this world."

Kazemi's teammate, Arman Zangeneh, acknowledged the hardships the squad endured, highlighting the toll the war had taken. "If you get the medal at the Asian Games, you don't need to go to the army anymore, so it's huge for some players," he said. The two-month journey from the Philippines qualifiers to Nagoya was arduous, involving substandard living conditions and a grueling schedule.

Despite the challenges, the players banded together, pouring their hearts onto the court in pursuit of a medal. Kazemi emphasized the significance of the victory: "We had a very tough two months, but getting a medal at the Asian Games means everything." The team's emotional triumph marks a poignant end to a tumultuous period for Iran.