Bangkok, Thailand, October 15, 2023 – Hosts Sri Lanka underlined their supremacy over the CAVA Men’s Volleyball Challenge Cup Colombo 2023 after overpowering Uzbekistan in the final showdown at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, as Afghanistan picked up bronze medal following 3-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia.
Against world No.86 Uzbekistan, the team they had already succumbed to 2-3 loss in the single round-robin preliminaries on October 11, Sri Lanka, current world No.67, came much stronger this time.
The host side showcased their prowess with powerful spikes, swift counter-attacks and solid blocks to comfortably take the first two sets 25-14, 25-18.
However, Uzbekistan, which suffered only one loss to Afghanistan in their opener on October 9 en route to the Sunday’s showdown, put up a gallant fightback in the third set with high hopes of making amends for disappointment in the first two sets.
Still, their determined attempts were denied. The in-form Sri Lankans blunted the opponents’ challenge and went on their good show to beat the strong visitors in the hard-fought set 25-23 for match and the eventual title.
Earlier in the third-place playoff encounter, world No.68 Afghanistan ended their campaign in Colombo with the third place.
Afghanistan, which finished a disappointing 17th at the recent Hangzhou-hosted 19th Asian Games Men’s Volleyball Competition in China and 14th at the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Championship in Urmia, Iran, avenged the 1-3 loss to Saudi Arabia in their single round-robin preliminary match on Saturday to brush off the same opponents in lopsided battle 25-14, 25-16, 25-18 for bronze medal.
Hon. Rohana Dissanayake, State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, presided over the awards presentation and closing ceremony on Sunday. Also in attendance were President of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Mr Kanchana Jayaratna, SLVF Secretary General A.S. Nalaka, Treasurer Mr Thushara Perera, Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) President Mr Mohamed Latheef from Maldives, Executive Committee Members and other distinguished guests.
Sri Lanka were crowned champions of the CAVA Men’s Challenge Cup Colombo 2023. Making the podium in second and third places respectively were Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Individual Awards were also presented to those who performed superbly throughout the tournament.
ALL MATCH RESULTS
FINAL STANDING
- Sri Lanka
- Uzbekistan
- Afghanistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Middle blocker
Kuchkorov Azizbek (Uzbekistan, No.10)
Perera Panadura Arachchige Don Ayesh D (Sri Lanka, No.3)
Outside hitter
Bandara Kumara Bandara Mudiyanselage Sh (Sri Lanka, No.16)
Haidari Gulam Rasool (Afghanistan, No.7)
Opposite
Wasanthapriya Goner Gamage Lasindu Methmal (Sri Lanka, No.9)
Setter
Murodov Mirziyod (Uzbekistan, No.5)
Libero
Almureet Hussain (Saudi Arabia, No.9)
MVP
Bandara Jayalath Arachchige Mahela Inde (Sri Lanka, No.19)
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