Athletes supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme showcased their strength at the second stop of the 2025 AVC Beach Tour in Songkhla, Thailand, delivering results that emphasized the programme’s ongoing success. Teams from New Zealand, Qatar, and Australia earned four out of six available medals, demonstrating the significant impact of targeted support on athletic performance.
Men's Competition Highlights
- Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan dominated, winning the gold medal without losing a single set in seven matches.
- Their 2-0 (21-16, 25-23) finals victory came against New Zealand’s Bradley Fuller and Ben O’Dea, who took home silver.
- Iran’s Alireza Aghajanighasab and Abbas Pourasgari claimed the bronze medal.
Women’s Competition Highlights
- New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald reached the final unbeaten, capturing silver after a loss to Japan’s Ren and Non Matsumoto in straight sets.
- Australia’s Jasmine Fleming and Stefanie Fejes, following their gold medal performance at the previous Tour stop, added a bronze after defeating Thailand.
The Songkhla event featured 32 men’s teams and 29 women’s teams from 20 nations, with Empowerment-backed athletes consistently proving the value of investments in coaching, training, and equipment.
Looking ahead, the next leg of the AVC Beach Tour is scheduled for April 25 to 28 in Phu Yen, Vietnam, exclusively featuring women’s teams.
For full coverage and updates, visit the official FIVB article.
