The defending champions won an enthralling match 29-24 to equal South Korea's record of five straight titles in the continental event.

Qatar went into the halftime break with a 14-11 lead before producing a calm second-half display to hold off their opponents and secure the title at the Ministry of Sports Hall.

Bahrain have now lost all five finals that they have appeared in, matching Japan's record for silver medals.

Bahrain are yet to win the Asian Men's Handball Championship.

Qatar's fifth triumph makes them the sole occupant of second position in the tournament's all-time medals table after previously sharing it with Kuwait on four titles each.

South Korea are the most successful nation and have won the continental crown nine times, but not since 2012.

Hosts Saudi Arabia beat 2014 bronze medallists Iran 26-23 in the third-place playoff.

The fixture was a rematch of the group match which Iran won 24-20.

The top five teams earned qualification to the 2023 World Men's Handball Championship.

South Korea took the fifth and final qualification spot yesterday, via a thrilling 26-24 win against Iraq.

The World Championship is set to be co-hosted by Poland and Sweden from January 11 to 29 next year.