Qatar and Australia showcased dominance at the AVC Beach Volleyball Tour in Pingtan, China, with impressive performances that secured them most of the podium finishes in this highly competitive event.
Qatar Claims Men’s Gold—Again
Qatar’s powerhouse duo, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, captured their third consecutive gold medal on the AVC tour. They maintained a flawless record, not dropping a single set throughout the tournament. Their final match victory came with a resounding 2-0 win (21-15, 21-14) over Australia’s Ben Hood and Oliver Merritt.
Australia Shines with Multiple Medals
Australia demonstrated its strength across both men's and women's events:
- Silver (Men): Ben Hood and Oliver Merritt
- Bronze (Men): D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse defeated China’s Wang Yanwei and Du Hongjun.
- Bronze (Women): Jasmine Fleming and Stefanie Fejes overpowered Thailand in a straight-set win.
Top Finishers in the Women’s Division
China’s Xue Chen and Zeng Jinjin thrilled home fans by capturing women’s gold with a 2-0 victory over Japan’s Saki Maruyama and Miki Ishii. Despite the loss, Japan’s performance secured them a well-earned silver medal.
Support from FIVB Empowerment Program
National programs from Qatar, Australia, and Japan—all of whom reached the podium—are beneficiaries of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Program. This initiative offers coaching and equipment support, helping these nations excel in international competition.
The Road Ahead
The Pingtan leg of the AVC Tour featured 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams from 12 countries. The next stop on the tour is in Pingtung, Chinese Taipei, set for July 17–20. Fans can look forward to more high-level play from these leading beach volleyball nations as they continue their strong momentum across Asia.
