The tournament is now under way in Taipei, Chinese Taipei from July 8 to 15
Fired-up Korea, Indonesia, Mongolia and hosts Chinese Taipei kicked off their action-packed campaigns with convincing victories in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Men, the Asia’s qualification tournament from which the eventual champions will qualify for the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup in Doha, Qatar in late July and open up their opportunity to get promoted and compete in the 2024 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
Korea, current world No.33 and third place at the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup in Seoul, got off to a brilliant start following their sensational straight-set 25-20, 25-15, 25-23 win against world No.60 Thailand in the opening Pool B clash at the University of Taipei Hall.
Jung Jiseok chipped in with 16 points including 12 attacks and 3 aces for Korea, while Hwang Kyungmin and Heo Subong, who was the best spiker on 54 kills in the 2022 VCC, added 12 and 10 points respectively. Napadet Bhinijdee led Thailand with 10 points including 8 attacks from 13 attempts.
In Pool F at the same competition venue, Indonesia, defending and successive three-time South East Asian (SEA) Games champions, also started the eight-day meet in memorable fashion with dramatic four-set 25-21, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17 win against Sri Lanka.
Farhan Halim emerged as the Indonesia’s top scorer with 19 points including 12 attacks and team-leading 4 aces, while Jayalath Arachchige Mahela Indeewara Bandara scored a match-high 25 points including 21 attacks on the Sri Lanka’s losing effort.
In Pool D at Taipei Gym, Mongolia tasted their first win in the top-tier tournament following their comfortable straight-set 25-14, 25-20, 25-19 triumph over Macao, China.
Amar Batmunkh and Nyamsukh Sukhee scored 12 points apiece for the Mongolia’s win, while no Macao, China player scored double-digit marker, with Tang Chi Hou bagging 7 points on the team’s loss.
Meanwhile, the Opening Ceremony was held at the University of Taipei Hall, with all participating teams as well as the Control Committee and the local organisers attending.
Athletes and team officials from all participating teams marched into the court and listened to the welcome message from Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association President Mr Kong Chien-Jung, who, joined by CC President and Technical Delegate Mr Shanrit Wongprasert, himself AVC Executive Director, presided over the ceremony.
Mr Shanrit presented the AVC…
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