Top seeds from Iran and Kazakhstan emerge triumphant in the men’s and women’s showdowns against Sri Lankan teams
Iranians Amirali GhalehNovi/Abolhassan Khakizadeh top the men’s podium
Negombo, Sri Lanka, January 26, 2025 – Iranians Amirali GhalehNovi/Abolhassan Khakizadeh and Laura Kabulbekova/Nadezhda Ivanchenko smashed Sri Lankan dreams of winning the 2024 CAVA Beach Volleyball Championships on their home soil, respectively beating Dileepa Senarathna/Malith Silva and Deepika Bandara/Kasuni Alawaththage to capture men’s and women’s titles on Sunday.
Kazakhstan’s Laura Kabulbekova/Nadezhda Ivanchenko top the women’s podium
After three days of action-packed encounters, the rescheduled 2024 CAVA Beach Volleyball Championships, which were initially due to take place last December, came to a close in spectacular fashion as top teams battled it out on the pristine beaches of Negombo for the ultimate glory.
The double-gender tournament from January 24 to 26 delivered high-energy matches and showcased exceptional athleticism, drawing an enthusiastic crowd.
The women’s final on Sunday saw Kazakhstan’s top seeds Kabulbekova/Ivanchenko demolish Sri Lankan eighth seeds Deepika/Kasuni in straight sets 21-11, 21-17. The Kazakh duo’ precision and teamwork were unmatched, earning them the gold medal and 240 championship points for the victory with unbeaten record in the championships.
In the semifinals earlier, the Kazakhs faced a tough match against Wattelage Shehani Ashanga/Chaturika Weerasinghe to produce a comeback 2-1 (14-21, 21-15, 15-7) win against the Sri Lankans.
Shehani/Chathurika had to be content with bronze medal after edging out compatriots Disanayaka Kasuni Keshala/Wasana Dhamatissa in a gripping third-place playoff, finishing 2-0 (21-15, 21-19). The all-Sri Lankan clash electrified the audience, emphasizing the nation’s growing strength in women’s beach volleyball.
The men’s final brought intense competition as Iran’s top seeds GhalehNovi/Abolhassan, who disposed of Sri Lankans Anjana Manikkuhewage/Sandun Madusanka Fernando 2-0 (21-18, 21-15) in the Sunday morning’s semifinals, displayed their superiority over Sri Lanka’s Dileepa/Malith with a convincing 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) victory in the showdown.
It was a sweet revenge for the Iranians, who suffered the 1-2 loss in the well-fought 61-minute match to the same opponents in their Pool A encounter earlier on January 24. The Iranian duo’s dominance throughout the tournament culminated in their well-deserved gold medal and 240 points.
Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gurin/Abdulmajid Mokhammad secured bronze medal after a thrilling three-setter against Sri Lanka’s Anjana/Sandun 2-1 (20-22, 21-18, 15-10) in the third-place playoff. The match was a testament to the players’ resilience and determination, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The championship brought together 18 teams, 9 apiece in the men’s and women’s events, from six CAVA nations featuring Kazakhstan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and Bhutan. The event highlighted CAVA’s commitment to nurturing beach volleyball talent in the region.
The closing ceremony celebrated the players’ achievements with medals, trophies and vibrant cultural performances, leaving participants and spectators with unforgettable memories.
The success of the 2024 CAVA Beach Volleyball Championships underscored the growing popularity of the sport in Central Asia. Fans eagerly anticipate future editions, as events like this continue to promote camaraderie and excellence across borders.
MATCH RESULTS
MEN
WOMEN
FINAL RANKINGS
MEN
WOMEN
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