Iran clinches 2026 Asian boys' U18 volleyball title with victory over Japan
Iran underlined its dominance in Asian age-group volleyball by defeating Japan to capture a record-extending eighth Asian Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship title.
Iran defeated Japan 3-1 on Saturday in the final of the 2026 Asian Boys' U18 Volleyball Championship in Haikou, China, capping an unbeaten campaign with six consecutive victories to reclaim the continental crown after a 12-year wait.
Coached by former national team libero Abdolreza Alizadeh, Iran recovered from dropping the opening set 23-25 before taking control of the match with 25-22, 25-17 and 25-22 victories to secure the championship.
The tournament, organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), featured 16 teams and also served as the Asian qualifying event for the 2027 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship, with the top four teams earning qualification.
The triumph marked another milestone for Iran's youth volleyball program. Since making its debut at the Asian championship in 2001, Iran has now collected eight gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze, making it by far the most successful nation in the history of the competition.
Japan remains second on the all-time list with three titles, leaving Iran's record unlikely to be challenged in the near future. Remarkably, Iran has failed to finish on the podium only once, placing fourth in 2017.
Iran's dominance was also reflected in the individual awards announced after the final.
Opposite hitter Abolfazl Pasha Amiri was named both the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Opposite Spiker. Setter Amirali Shams received the Best Setter award, while Pedram Heydari Sefat was selected as one of the two Best Middle Blockers.
Chinese Taipei claimed the bronze medal by finishing third, ahead of host China in fourth place. Pakistan secured fifth place, followed by Thailand in sixth and South Korea in seventh.
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