Kuwait, Dec 26, IRNA -- Iran finished runner-up in the 17th Asian Youth Basketball Championships which ended here Thursday.

The champion China, Iran, and the third-placed South Korea will represent the Asian Continent in the world event to be held in Malaysia in late June 2003.

In the final of the 17th Asian tourney, Iran lost to the powerful side of China 81-70.

South Korea ranked third as it managed to defeat Qatar 105-88 on December 26.

The Iranian team will return home at 09:30 am on Saturday, December 28.