Pingtung City, Chinese Taipei, July 20, 2025 – Australia completed a golden sweep at the AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open, capturing both the men’s and women’s titles on the sun-drenched sands of Qinzhou Beach, nestled within the scenic Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area, on Sunday.
In a dazzling display of dominance, D’Artagnan Potts/Jack Pearse clinched the men’s crown, while Stefanie Fejes/Jasmine Fleming stamped their authority on the women’s competition, overcoming Thailand’s seasoned campaigners Taravadee Naraphornrapat/Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee in straight sets.
Australia’s top-seeded Potts/Pearse, the 2024 Asian champions and bronze medallists at this year’s Pingtan Open in China, had already booked their ticket to the final after dispatching Mister Logan Jon/Johnson Andrew Scott of the Northern Mariana Islands in straight sets in Saturday’s semifinal. Their compatriots, sixth seeds Ben Hood/Joshua Howat, joined them in an all-Australian finale after edging Japan’s Takumi Takahashi/Jumpei Ikeda in a thrilling three-set duel.
With the gold medal already assured for the Land Down Under, the championship clash became a matter of pride and prowess. In a high-octane encounter brimming with tenacity and tactical acumen, Potts/Pearse prevailed with their superior experience and synergy, edging out Hood/Howat in straight but hard-fought sets, 21-19, 21-19, after 38 minutes of riveting action.
The bronze medal match saw history in the making as the Northern Mariana Islands’ 11th seeds Mister/Johnson secured their nation’s first-ever podium finish, defeating Japan’s Takahashi/Ikeda 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in a composed and clinical performance.
On the women’s side, Fejes/Fleming continued their remarkable run on the continental circuit, solidifying their status as rising stars with a commanding 2-0 (21-19, 21-15) triumph over the Thai pair Taravadee/Worapeerachayakorn.
The victory not only repeated the success in their previous match-up at this year’s Pingtan Open, where they also defeated the Thais for bronze, but also marked their second tour title of the season, following their earlier triumph at the 2nd Nuvali Open in the Philippines.
Having formed their partnership years ago, Fejes and Fleming have grown from strength to strength. Their early stints in Udon Thani and Phuket during the 2020 and 2021 Asian Championships yielded promising finishes of 17th and 5th, respectively. They returned to Thailand in 2023 and clinched the Asian U21 title in Roi Et, signaling the rise of a formidable pairing.
In the women’s bronze medal match, Japan’s third seeds Asami Shiba/Reika Murakami exacted sweet revenge with a clinical 2-0 (21-13, 21-17) victory over Australia’s top seeds Georgia Johnson/Elizabeth Alchin. The win not only secured them a place on the podium but also atoned for their earlier loss to the same Australian duo at this year’s Nuvali Open bronze-medal clash.
The awards ceremony, graced by senior dignitaries from the Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association (CTVBA), the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration, Technical Delegate Mr Tomoki Kimishima (Japan), Referee Delegate Mr Aprelius Balebu (Indonesia), and Ms Nattalida Sumdangdech from the AVC Beach Volleyball Department, saw the top three teams in both genders receiving medals and cash prizes.
The newly-crowned champions Potts/Pearse and Fejes/Fleming each walked away with US$2,500. Silver medallists Hood/Howat and Taravadee/Worapeerachayakorn earned US$2,000 apiece, while bronze medallists Mister/Johnson and Shiba/Murakami pocketed US$1,500 per pair. A photo opportunity followed as players and dignitaries commemorated the event’s successful conclusion.
The curtains fell on the inaugural AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open on a high note, shining a spotlight on Chinese Taipei’s commitment to sporting excellence and international collaboration. The event not only showcased world-class beach volleyball but also underscored the unifying power of sport across cultures and communities.
Since 2019, Chinese Taipei has played a pivotal role in hosting the AVC Beach Tour, first in Penghu, then Taoyuan in 2024, and now, for the first time, in Pingtung, a region renowned for its vibrant beach culture and enduring passion for volleyball.
This year’s tournament was made possible through the joint efforts of the Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association (CTVBA), Pingtung County Government, and the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Headquarters under the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). It was further supported by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), the Sports Administration under the Ministry of Education, the Council of Indigenous Peoples, and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, a true testament to the collaborative spirit behind the growing success of beach volleyball across Asia.
MATCH RESULTS
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FINAL RANKINGS
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