The 20th edition of the AHF Asian Women’s Handball Championship throws off in New Delhi, India, on 3 December, with eight teams at the start, four of which will secure their tickets to the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship.

The last six editions of the competition were all won by the Republic of Korea – five of which came in a final against Japan – as the Asian powerhouse has secured 16 of the 19 continental titles, with Kazakhstan winning twice and Japan securing one gold medal over the competition’s history.

This will be the first time when India host the AHF Asian Women’s Handball Championship and eight teams will be at the start, which have been divided into two groups of four teams each, with the top two sides in each group progressing into the semi-finals.

In Group A, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the People’s Republic of China will collide for the two qualifying berths for the semi-finals, while in Group B, Japan are facing Hong Kong, hosts India and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Judging by the results secured in the past years, the Republic of Korea and Japan will likely contend for the medals, as both sides have the most experience and the biggest depth, while Kazakhstan and the Islamic Republic of Iran will be looking to contend for the qualifying places for the semi-finals.

The 2024 AHF Asian Women’s Handball Championship starts on 3 December, with the preliminary round matches scheduled for 3, 4 and 6 December. The semi-finals will be played on 8 December, while the final will decide the winner on 10 December.

The top four sides at the end of the competition will progress to the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, which will take place between 26 November and 14 December in Germany and the Netherlands.

Six teams are already qualified – with co-hosts Germany and the Netherlands, being joined by reigning world champions France, as well as three teams from the South and Central American Confederation – Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.