Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 23, 2024 – China ended a 19-year title drought in the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship after convincing straight-set win against reigning champions Japan in the Sunday’s showdown to capture their title with remarkable unbeaten record.
Since the championship inception in 1997 in Yala, Thailand, China had won this flagship biennial tournament for four times. They captured their maiden title in 1999 and continued their back-to-back wins in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The 15th edition in 2024 was the China’s fifth title to their name.
After that, Japan, which claimed their first title in 1997, took an absolute control of the championship, winning it in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2022. The championship was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The straight-set sweeps highlighted Sunday, the last day of the eight-day competition, which served as the Asian qualification for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship.
The highly-anticipated showdown between China and Japan saw the former cruise to a 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 26-24) win against the latter, while Chinese Taipei stunned Thailand and their home fans 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-23) to return with a well-earned bronze medal.
As top four teams in the top-tier championship qualified for the next year’s U19 World Championship, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Thailand have been guaranteed of securing their berths for the world meet.
In the playoff matches, Korea took the fifth place after 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-17) blitz over Iran, while Kazakhstan trounced Uzbekistan 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-21) to return with the seventh position.
En route to their ninth final showdown against the same rivals on Sunday, China have yet lost a single set to their respective rivals. In the semifinals earlier, the Chinese girls powered past Chinese Taipei in straight sets , while Japan also did likewise, brushing off hosts Thailand in three-setter.
Against title-holders Japan, China fielded a strong lineup led by opposite and skipper Yang Shuming and middle blockers Wang Aoqian and Shen Jiayi, while Japan, going unbeaten until the showdown, were strong offensively with the likes of outside hitters Minami Kessoku and Rion Chuganji.
As Japan defended spectacularly in some crucial moments, China managed to step in front early in the first set and never looked back to reach set point 25-22. Japan sent in Niji Sato to improve on their defence, but their…
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