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 and 2022, but could not continue that winning run this year.
Korea took fifth overall as they wrapped up their campaign in Bahrain with a 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25-17) win against Thailand. Pyeonggang Shin and Sehoon Im were in impressive form, scoring 27 points and 23, respectively. Sorasak Phunsanong was the leading man for Thailand with 20 points while Kongkraphan Nimlamun and Krittin Damji had 11 apiece.
The Koreans finished outside of the Top Four for the first time since the 2014 tournament, while the Thais took sixth place for the fourth time.
Hosts Bahrain secured seventh place overall after battling past Chinese Taipei 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 31-29, 25-18). Playing in the tournament for only the second time, the home team improved on their ninth-place finish. Chinese Taipei, the event’s first-ever champions in 1997 and participants in every edition since, maintained their impressive run of ranking amongst the Top Eight each time.
Ali Sultan and Jassim Madan were in sensational form for the Bahrainis, combining for 52 of their points. Sultan finished with a game-high 28 while Madan had 24. Hu Jun-Xiang was Chinese Taipei’s top scorer with 18, while Lu Cheng-Yuan chipped in with 13.
Meanwhile, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong China, and Saudi Arabia were all victorious on Sunday in their final 9th-16th classification games.
The Indians took ninth overall after cruising past Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-15); the Philippines defeated Australia 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 15-25, 25-23) to take 11th; Hong Kong, China claimed 13th place overall after edging past Lebanon 3-2 (25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 15-6); and Saudi Arabia secured 15th on the final ranking after defeating fellow-Gulf side Kuwait 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 26-24).
Harnoor Singh was India’s leading scorer in their match with 24 points, while Harish Vats added 15. Yegor Volkov posted 23 to pace Kazakhstan.
For the Philippines, Luke Anton Carl Macatangay had 20 points while Roderick Medino added 15. Dan Moisescu and Hamilton Vincent scored 13 apiece for Australia in their loss.
Ko Ching Kin spearheaded Hong Kong, China in their victory, scoring a game-high 28 points. Li Sai Shing added 14 in the win. Charbel Al Najour was the leading scorer for Lebanon with 16 points, while Serge Chehab chipped in with 15.
For the Saudi Arabians, the trio of Azzam Alsubaie, Sohil Khan, and Gasem Altwal led the way, scoring 16, 15, and 14 points, respectively. Bandar Alahmad was the top scorer for the Kuwaitis with 12th.
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