Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 6, 2025 – Iran made history in Tashkent on Sunday by defeating Uzbekistan in straight sets in the final showdown to capture the first-ever women’s volleyball gold medal in the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Formed in 1963, the Iran women’s national team had never before achieved a gold medal finish. This remarkable victory marked the culmination of more than six decades of dedication, perseverance, and growth across generations of Iranian women athletes.
The CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship 2025, which ran from October 1-5 at the Olympic City Volleyball Hall and was jointly organized by the Uzbekistan Volleyball Federation (UVF) and CAVA, also reached a historic milestone in Tashkent, Uzbekistan as the first-ever women’s competition of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) to be recognized with FIVB world ranking status.
Hosts Uzbekistan pick up silver
The championship was originally scheduled to be held in Nepal, but later reassigned to Uzbekistan, showcasing the country’s growing reputation as a leading host nation after successfully staging the men’s competition earlier this year.
Opening ceremony
Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan competed in a round-robin preliminary stage. The top two teams advanced to the gold medal final, while the remaining two contested the bronze-medal encounter. Two matches were played daily from 1–3 October, with October 4 serving as a rest day.
Opening ceremony
On the closing day, the third-place playoff match saw Kyrgyzstan defeat Tajikistan 3–0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-10) to take bronze.
In the evening final, Iran swept hosts Uzbekistan 3–0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-19) in front of over 700 fans, claiming the gold medal and becoming the CAVA women’s champions under the FIVB ranking system.
This championship follows Uzbekistan’s earlier success hosting the CAVA Men’s Nations League 2025, also recognized by FIVB for world ranking.
With both men’s and women’s competitions now included in the global ranking system, CAVA has reached a significant milestone in its mission to raise the profile of volleyball in Central Asia.
CAVA President Mr Mohamed Latheef praised UVF for their organizational excellence and underlined the importance of this moment: “This first-ever FIVB world ranking women’s championship is a breakthrough for our region. It opens doors for our athletes to shine on the international stage and marks a new era for CAVA.”
FINAL STANDING
1. Iran
2. Uzbekistan
3. Kyrgyzstan
4. Tajikistan
DREAM TEAM
MVP & Outside Hitter (1): Khalili Chermahini Fatemeh (Iran)
Outside Hitter (2): Tursunpulatova Malikakhon (Uzbekistan)
Middle Blocker (1): Karimi Reyhane (Iran)
Middle Blocker (2): Amirakulova Saikal (Kyrgyzstan)
Opposite Spiker: Salamatgharamaleki Aytak (Iran)
Setter: Jalolova Mukhlisakhon (Uzbekistan)
Libero: Ikromova Sevinchkhon (Uzbekistan)
UPDATED FIVB WOMEN’S WORLD RANKINGS (as of October 5, 2025)
Iran: 47th place (74.24 points)
Kyrgyzstan: 62nd place (48.13 points)
Tajikistan: 83rd place (19.44 points)
Uzbekistan: 87th place (12.71 points)
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
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AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
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AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
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