Japan looked on course to spring a surprise at the SK Handball Stadium when they led at the break 16-10, before South Korea won the second half 17-11 to leave the match poised at 27-27 at the end of regulation time.

South Korea then won the extra-time period by seven points to two, enough to close out a 34-29 win.

Eunhee Ryu was South Korea’s star player, ending the match with a haul of 19 goals, with Migyeong Lee contributing nine.

Meanwhile for Japan Haruno Sasaki was their top scorer, netting seven.

South Korea had impressed throughout the tournament, finishing top of their group undefeated, and scoring 168 goals during their four group games.

In the semi-finals South Korea overcame China 34-16, while Japan defeated Iran 43-19.

Those two nations met in the bronze-medal match with China beating Iran 39-24, with Lin Yanqun top scoring for China with six goals.

With the top five teams in the standings securing places at next year’s Women’s World Championship there was an extra incentive in the fifth-place match.

Kazakhstan faced India and it was Kazakhstan who came out on top 42-31, to qualify alongside South Korea, Japan, China and Iran for the tournament, due to be held from November 30 to December 17 2023.