{
  "id": 8675303,
  "title": "Iran 'put hearts on the court' to win Asian Games basketball bronze",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/iran-put-hearts-on-the-court-to-win-asian-games-basketball-bronze",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T11:32:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1537049/iran-put-hearts-court-win-asian-games-basketball-bronze"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nArsalan 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.\"\n\nKazemi'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.\n\nDespite 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.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: Iran withstood a late fightback to beat China 79-70 and win Asian Games men’s basketball bronze on Sunday, an achievement that left their players “speechless” after months of war back home.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ht-morning-brief-september-20-crime-branch-to-probe-iit-b-students",
        "published": "2026-09-20T05:12:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Island Sri Lanka",
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/shafali-dazzles-with-49-ball-unbeaten-100-and-india-march-into-asian",
        "published": "2026-09-20T09:59:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/it-was-only-so-so-chinas-yu-zidi-13-vows-faster-swims-after-asian",
        "published": "2026-09-20T10:38:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Asim Khan reaches MMA semi-finals at Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/asim-khan-reaches-mma-semi-finals-at-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-20T13:27:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Iran 'put hearts on the court' to win Asian Games basketball bronze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/iran-put-hearts-on-the-court-to-win-asian-games-basketball-bronze-8705046",
        "published": "2026-09-20T14:10:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Asian Games: Pakistan off to flying start in hockey, poor show in other sports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/asian-games-pakistan-off-to-flying-start-in-hockey-poor-show-in-other",
        "published": "2026-09-20T18:10:45.000Z"
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      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Operational blunders at Asian Games disrupt Korean team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/operational-blunders-at-asian-games-disrupt-korean-team",
        "published": "2026-09-20T22:07:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "She is only 13 and has smashed an Asian Games record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/she-is-only-13-and-has-smashed-an-asian-games-record",
        "published": "2026-09-21T02:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Laser-focused Ying Ting delivers clean Asian Games debut",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/laser-focused-ying-ting-delivers-clean-asian-games-debut",
        "published": "2026-09-21T03:27:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}