HAIYANG, China (3rd Asian Beach Games): Afghanistan men and Indian women won the gold medal in the Beach Basketball competition at the 3rd Asian Beach Games on Tuesday.

In the men’s final, Afghanistan overcame Turkmenistan 16-9.

Mongolia won the bronze medal in the men’s section beating Bangladesh 15-13

Indian women beat hosts China 17-14 for the gold.

“The game was rather difficult and we had to fight all the way through,” said Indian spearhead Geethu Anna Jose.

“This is the first time that we’d come to the final. It means a lot to us. Now I’m so excited and feel awesome,” she said.

 Geethu picked Mongolia, whom India beat in the semifinals, as a more difficult opponent to handle.

“Though China is very strong, the toughest team that we’ve met is Mongolian team. They played fiercely,” she said.

China coach Xiong Ying attributed the inexperience of her players to the defeat in the final.

“The girls are very young and have no experience. They bungled at some key moments. But they tried really hard, and I’m proud of them,” Xiong Ying said.

“We had the chance to win, but we missed it. That’s a pity. But we are still young and will look to the future,”  17-year-old Zhang Xu said in tears after the game.

Philippines won the bronze medal beating Mongolia 16-15.

The basketball competitions at the 3rd Asian Beach Games are being played under the FIBA 3x3 rules.

Click here for complete results of Beach Basketball at the 3rd Beach Asian Games.

Click here for interview on Afghanistan men winning gold

Click here for interview on Indian women winning gold

 FIBA Asia