Pingtung City, Chinese Taipei, July 17, 2025 – The AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open officially sprang into action on Thursday at the stunning Qinzhou Beach, located within the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area in the southernmost part of Chinese Taipei. Against a backdrop of pristine coastal beauty and warm, breezy conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C, 45 formidable teams, including 24 in the men’s division, began their quest for continental glory and a US$2,500 top prize in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The men’s action unfolded with powerful performances. Top-seeded Australians D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, the reigning Asian champions, wasted no time stamping their authority with a commanding 2-0 (21-7, 21-13) victory over Korea’s Bae Inho and Yeo Minsu in Pool A. They are now set to face Malaysia’s Kai Xu Looi and Wei Chun Ler in their second group encounter.
Australia continued to assert dominance as second seeds Paul Burnett and Luke Ryan, winners of the 2nd Nuvali Open in the Philippines earlier this year, crushed Singapore’s Gan Lucas Jun Yang and Kim Yong Chen Lucas 2-0 (21-13, 21-9) in Pool B.
Sixth seeds Ben Hood and Joshua Howat overcame stiff resistance from Vietnam’s Le Hoang Y and Ho Duy Hoan to edge a thrilling 2-1 (21-18, 12-21, 15-12) win in Pool F.
Thailand’s third seeds Netiorn Muneekul, now partnering with Poravid Taovato, breezed past Korea’s Oh Jeonglaek and Kwak Chanmin 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) in Pool C. Other Thai teams also opened their campaigns on a high note: fourth seeds Pithak Tipjan and Wachirawit Muadpha dispatched the home duo Chuang Tzu Lin and Hu Cheng-Gang 2-0 (21-17, 21-15), while ninth seeds Nobphadon Sukphuwong and Dunwinit Kaewsai comfortably overcame Hong Kong, China’s Kan Sze Hang and Wong Chun 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) in Pool H.
Japan’s fifth seeds Kai Kurokawa and Ryuichi Adachi and seventh seeds Takumi Takahashi and Jumpei Ikeda also impressed. Kurokawa and Adachi overpowered Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Mahfouz and Hadi Aljorfi 2-0 (21-9, 21-7), while Takahashi and Ikeda posted a solid 2-0 win against Malaysians Jeng Yin Low and You Hao Teh. The Malaysian pair, however, were forced to withdraw midway through the match due to injury, trailing 5-14 in the second set after losing the opener 10-21.
A standout performance came from the Northern Mariana Islands pairing of Mister Logan Jon and Johnson Andrew Scott, relative newcomers to the AVC Beach Tour. They dominated Vietnam’s Le Hoang Y and Ho Duy Hoan 2-0 (21-9, 21-13) in just 27 minutes, handing the Vietnamese pair their second loss of the day. The Australians Hood and Howat will clash with Mister and Johnson on Friday to decide the Pool F winners.
Hosts Chinese Taipei celebrated a home triumph as Hsieh Ya-Jen and Wu Shin-Shian delighted local fans with a gritty 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, 15-9) win over Hong Kong, China’s Kan Sze Hang and Wong Chun.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s women made a strong statement on Day 1. Fifth-seeded Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, the 2021 Asian champions and silver medallists at the Phu Yen Open earlier this year, delivered a dominant performance with a 21-7, 21-7 demolition of Korea’s Shin Jieun and Kim Hyunjoo in just 26 minutes. The Thai duo are scheduled to face Singapore’s Chong Eliza and Chan Tin Wing next in Pool E.
Thai teammates Charanrutwadee Patcharamainaruebhorn/Woranatchayakorn Phirachayakrailert and Samitta Simarongnam/Somruedee Koedkaew also opened with victories. Charanrutwadee and Woranatchayakorn eased past Hong Kong, China’s Tsang Ngok Ling and Wong Man Ching 2-0 (21-10, 21-13), while Samitta and Somruedee outlasted Australia’s Matisse Conlon and Jolie Du Plessis 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) in Pool H. Earlier, the Australian pair had fallen 1-2 (17-21, 21-18, 5-15) to Liu Pi Hsin and Wu Shu-Fen of Chinese Taipei.
Japan’s fourth seeds and reigning Samila Open champions Ren Matsumoto and Non Matsumoto kicked off their campaign in style, claiming a 2-0 (21-13, 21-18) win over Chinese Taipei’s Yu Ya-Hsuan and Pan Tzu-Yi. They will next face Indonesia’s Ratnasari Desi/Sari Nur Atika in Pool D.
Pacific Mini Games champions from Vanuatu, Majabelle Lawac and Sherysyn Toko, made light work of Hong Kong, China’s Ng Ki Wing/Wilson Halimah Zampaligre with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) win.
Meanwhile,the official opening ceremony took place at 5:00pm local time at the competition courts on Qinzhou Beach on Thursday, with senior officials from Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association (CTVBA), the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration as well as Technical Delegate Mr Tomoki Kimishima of Japan, Referee Delegate Mr Aprelius Balebu of Indonesia and Ms Nattalida Sumdangdech from the AVC Beach Volleyball Department and all participating teams joined the ceremony.
Throughout the event, the CTVBA and the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration will warmly welcome fans to Dapeng Bay to witness high-caliber international beach volleyball action up close.
Adding to the vibrant tournament atmosphere, organizers have prepared a beachside carnival complete with a live DJ party and a festive Athletes’ Night. A special Indigenous Cultural Market will also surround the venue, offering visitors a taste of local artistry, cuisine, and traditions.
Evening concerts by popular singers will cap off each day, celebrating the multicultural energy and coastal charm of Dapeng Bay.
The pool play continues on Friday with more exciting matchups on the horizon. In the women’s division, action begins at 8:30am with Australia’s Georgia Johnson and Elizabeth Alchin, bronze medallists at both the 2nd Nuvali Open and Phu Yen Open, taking on Indonesia’s Kaize Josephine Selvina and Herdanti Bernadetta Shella.
The men’s matches start at 10:10am, headlined by Australia’s Potts and Pearse, who also won bronze at the Pingtan Open in China, facing off against Malaysia’s Kai Xu Looi and Wei Chun Ler.
As the Pingtung Open unfolded, fans can expect more thrilling rallies, emerging stars, and world-class beach volleyball in one of Asia’s most scenic coastal destinations.
MATCH RESULTS
MEN
WOMEN
POOLS
MEN
WOMEN
MATCH SCHEDULE
MEN
WOMEN
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click https://www.facebook.com/avcasianvolleyball
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
Mikasa Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/mikasasports_official
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation