Playing before around 5,000 home supporters, Roberto Piazza’s side recovered from a second-set loss to beat Japan 28-26, 19-25, 25-21, 26-24 and complete an unbeaten campaign.

Japan made the stronger start, but Iran held its nerve in a closely contested opening set to win 28-26.

The hosts responded in the second set, taking it 25-19 to level the match.

Iran regained control in the third set with a 25-21 victory before another tight battle in the fourth, where the defending champions edged Japan 26-24 to secure the gold.

The final marked the 50th meeting between the two national teams, with Iran recording its 20th victory over Japan.

Iran had reached the knockout stage as the unbeaten winner of Pool B after victories over Kyrgyzstan, Thailand and Indonesia, before defeating India and Pakistan to set up the final against Japan.

The victory extended Iran’s dominance in the men’s volleyball tournament, following gold medals at the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Japan remains the most decorated men’s volleyball team in Asian Games history, with eight gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes before the Nagoya final.

The result also gave Iran a response to Japan’s 3-0 victory over them in the final of the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship in Fukuoka several weeks earlier.

Meanwhile, Iran’s men’s water polo team missed out on a medal after suffering a 13-9 defeat to China in the bronze-medal match.

China led 4-2, 3-2 and 4-2 in the first three quarters, while Iran won the final quarter 3-2, but the comeback was not enough to secure a podium finish.

Iran now ranks sixth in the Asian Games medals table with 19 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games are being held from September 19 to October 4 across venues in Japan, with around 17,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and regions competing in 43 sports.

Iran’s delegation, named “Minab Angels” in tribute to the victims of the US-Israeli attack on Shajareh Tayyebe Elementary School in Minab on February 28, is competing with 305 athletes across 38 sports.