China, Iran, Pakistan and Japan qualify for 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship
Manama, Bahrain, August 4, 2024 – China clinched their first-ever title in the 15th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship after battling past Iran 3-2 (23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 20-25, 15-10) in a thrilling final played at the Bahrain Volleyball Association’s (BVA) Isa bin Rashid Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa, located on the outskirts of the Bahraini capital.
China had previously won bronze four times, most recently in 2017, and now improved on their fifth-place finish from the last edition of the championship in 2022. Iran came away with the silver medal for the third time and for the second straight edition.
The top two were joined on the podium by Pakistan, who claimed the bronze medal following a stunning 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-17) victory over Japan.
After the final, Dr Abdulrahman Askar, CEO of Bahrain’s General Sports Authority, and Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Bahrain Olympic Committee Board Member and Bahrain Table Tennis Association President, presented the three teams their respective trophies and medals.
Also in attendance were Mr Yermek Syrlybayev, Control Committee Chairman and Technical Delegate, and Feras Al Helwachi, Executive Organising Committee Chairman and BVA Secretary General.
Individual awards were handed out to the best performers in the tournament. China’s Ding Haocheng won the Most Valuable Player honour. Iran’s Mohammadamin Arabyarmohammadi was the Best Libero. China’s Gong Haoqian was Best Setter. Pakistan’s Muhammad Yahya was the Best Opposite. China’s Yu Xiang and Iran’s Mohammad Amin Rahimi were the Best Outside Hitters, and Iran’s Mohammadnima Bateni and Pakistan’s Jabran Jabran were Best Middle Blockers.
In the game for third place, Pakistan were firing on all cylinders and outplayed their opponents in three quick sets.
Yahya was their hero with 21 points, while Muhtad Ali Shah added 14 in a resounding performance. Yuki Kashiwazaki had nine points and Teruki Ishida added seven for the Japanese, who appeared a far cry from their best.
Pakistan captured their first-ever medal in only their second appearance in the competition. Their previous best was 11th in 2018, which was their only other time to compete in this age-group competition.
By placing fourth, Japan missed out on the podium for the first time since 2010. They were the champions in the previous three editions in 2017, 2018…
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