The host team stunned China in grueling five sets to claim their third Asian title, Japan picked up bronze
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 6, 2023 – Thailand delighted boisterous home fans packing the Chartchai Hall with their dramatic win in the hard-fought, five-set thriller against China to capture the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship with remarkable unbeaten record on Wednesday.
The 25-21, 25-27, 25-19, 20-25, 16-14 win against China, fielding most players whose squad captured the last month’s Chengdu Universiade, extended Thailand’s supremacy over this topflight championship to three in history as they had already captured the Asian title in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam and 2013 at the same competition venue here.
In the mighty final clash on Wednesday in front of more than 5,000 home fans, noisily beating drumbs, yelling and applauding from all sections at grand stands, Thailand salvage 2-2 tie with China, but the deciding set was the most exciting moment.
Both sides fought neck and neck and China led all the way, but gusty display of Thailand made the difference. The host side came back to catch the mighty China 14-14 and went on to win the electrifying set 16-14, match and the championship.
Outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri delivered 23 points from 21 attacks, one block and one ace for Thailand, while outside hitter Ajcharaporn Kongyot and middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang added another 22 and 16 points respectively. Outside hitter Wu Mingjie contributed 22 points on the China’s stunning loss.
Thailand had already made it to the final showdown for five times including the 22nd edition on home soil here in Nakhon Ratchasima. They made their debut effort in the 2009 final in Hanoi, Vietnam against China and stunned them 3-1 for their unprecedented Asian title.
Thailand’s second final came in 2013 here in Nakhon Ratchasima, where they powered past Japan 3-0 to reign supreme. In 2017, they entered the final showdown in Philippines, but went down 2-3 to Japan and still suffered a setback the following edition in 2019 in Seoul, Korea where they lost 1-3 to eventual winners Japan. The 21st edition was due to take place in Philippines, but was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the same competition venue here at Chartchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, 10 years after they had captured their second Asian title in 2013, that Thailand repeated the feat by winning the Asian Senior Women’s Championship, for the third…
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