Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, July 12, 2025 – The highly-anticipated Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship Thailand 2025 roared to life on Saturday, as the future stars of Asian volleyball gathered in Nakhon Pathom and co-host city Ratchaburi for an electrifying eight-day display of youthful talent, unity, and competitive passion.
Being held from July 12 to 19, the championship not only highlights the rising depth of talent across the continent, but also reinforces the AVC’s commitment to the sustainable development of the sport in the region.
With 16 teams vying not just for continental glory but also four coveted berths in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship, the stakes are as high as the energy on court.
The opening day’s spotlight shone brightly on a gripping Pool B clash at the 4,000-seater Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium, where defending champions Iran launched their title defence with a dramatic 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 26-24) triumph over a spirited Indonesian side.
Iran, which claimed their maiden crown by toppling hosts Uzbekistan in the 2023 final, once again demonstrated their prowess. Outside hitter Azhvan Namazi led the charge with 17 points, 15 from powerful attacks and two service aces, while opposite Yasin Asadizadeh Abdehgah contributed a vital 15 points. Despite the loss, Indonesia impressed with opposite Bayu Pamungkas’ match-high 19 points, built on 17 attacks, a block, and an ace.
Statistically, Indonesia outpaced Iran in attacks (54–45) and blocks (13–11), and both teams recorded six service aces apiece. Indonesia also capitalized on opponent errors, collecting 27 points compared to Iran’s 24.
With this win, Iran claimed three valuable points and will next face Hong Kong, China on Sunday, while Indonesia will look to rebound against Kazakhstan.
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong, China endured a tough start to their campaign, falling in straight sets (16-25, 17-25, 22-25) to a solid Kazakhstan side. Outside hitter Nurzhan Nurmukhamed led the Kazakhs with 10 points from 7 attacks, 2 blocks, and an ace.
Teammates Mansur Maratuly and Yemur Yermekov chipped in with 9 and 8 points respectively. For Hong Kong, outside hitter Lau Chi Ho was the standout performer with 14 points, all from attacks.
In Pool A action at the same venue, hosts Thailand opened their campaign against India but succumbed in hard-fought straight sets (20-25, 22-25, 20-25). India’s outside hitter Apratim Bhadauriya starred with 16 points, including 12 attacks and 4 blocks, while fellow outside hitter Rafik Ahmad added 14 crucial points. Thailand’s Pariwat Toehem led all scorers with 19 points from 18 attacks and a block.
India outperformed Thailand in blocking (14 to 7) and narrowly edged them in attacks (40 to 38). Each side registered one ace, while Thailand benefitted slightly more from opponent errors (20 to India’s 16).
The host nation now faces a formidable challenge as they prepare to battle China on Sunday.
China impressed in their opening match with a confident straight-set victory over Australia (25-18, 25-13, 27-25).
Opposite Guang Xiaoyang led China with 12 points including 10 attacks, while outside hitter Mao Guangyu added 10. Australia’s outside hitter Dylan Ottaway scored 11 points in a valiant effort.
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium, located approximately 41 kilometers from Nakhon Pathom, Chinese Taipei, bronze medalists at both the 2023 Asian U16 and the last year’s FIVB U17 World Championship, opened their Pool D campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping Saudi Arabia 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-23).
Outside hitter Zheng Wen-Guan spearheaded the win with 15 points, featuring 11 attacks, 2 blocks and 2 aces, while Wang Cheng-Fong added 12. Outside hitter Saeed Mukhtar and fellow outside hitter Khaled Sultan fought hard for Saudi Arabia, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively.
Chinese Taipei will next meet Korea, while Saudi Arabia face Pakistan on Sunday.
Pakistan, which placed fourth in the previous edition, showcased their class with a commanding straight-sets victory over Korea (25-16, 25-19, 25-8). Dominating every statistical category, attacks (36–27), blocks (15–3), aces (5–1), and opponent errors (19–12), Pakistan looked sharp from start to finish.
Opposite Muhammad Junaid led all scorers with 15 points, including 9 attacks, 4 blocks, and 2 aces. Faizan Ullah followed closely with 14 points, while outside hitter Kan Kyungmin was Korea’s top scorer with 11.
Meanwhile, Japan underlined their title credentials in Pool C with a clinical straight-sets win over Mongolia (25-13, 25-20, 25-20). Three outside hitters Hayato Konishide (15 points), Jin Sakamoto (14), and Junya Tezuka (12) all reached double digits for Japan. Mongolia’s standout was outside hitter Sainbayar Batbold, who notched 13 points including 10 attacks.
Japan will go on to face the United Arab Emirates, while Mongolia are set to clash with Uzbekistan, the 2023 silver medallists.
In their Pool C opener, the UAE displayed excellent teamwork and offensive balance to defeat Uzbekistan in straight sets (25-18, 25-13, 27-25).
Outside hitter Abodoulie Jammeh led the UAE with 13 points, followed by Ibrahim Ceesay and Ousman Kujabi with 12 points each. Uzbekistan struggled to break through the UAE’s defense, with middle block Khakim Begimkulov top scoring with 8 points.
Following three days of preliminary round-robin play, only the top two teams from each pool will advance to the 1st–8th Classification Round. The top two from Pools A and C will form Pool E, while those from Pools B and D will comprise Pool F. From there, the best two teams from each second-round pool will proceed to the semifinals, while the remaining teams will contest the 5th–8th placements.
Meanwhile, the teams finishing third and fourth in their preliminary pools will battle in the 9th–16th Classification Round, regrouped into Pools G and H to determine the final standings.
MATCH RESULTS
At Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium
Pool B: Kazakhstan b Hong Kong, China 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-22)
Pool B: Iran b Indonesia 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 26-24)
Pool A: China b Australia 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 27-25)
Pool A: India b Thailand 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20)
At Ratchaburi Gymnasium
Pool D: Chinese Taipei b Saudi Arabia 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-23)
Pool D: Pakistan b Korea 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-8)
Pool C: United Arab Emirates b Uzbekistan 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-9)
Pool C: Japan b Mongolia 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-20)
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