1 Video View·Sep 3, 2026
This is the GREATEST Moment in Thailand Volleyball History !!! Thailand defeated host nation China in an unforgettable five-set gold-medal match to win the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship. The final was played on August 30, 2026, at the Tianjin Olympic Center Gymnasium in Tianjin, China. Thailand won the match 3–2 with set scores of 25–20, 11–25, 23–25, 25–18 and 15–10.
Thailand started the final strongly and won the opening set 25–20 with their speed, disciplined defense and effective transition attacks. China responded emphatically in the second set, dominating at the net and recording five blocks on the way to a commanding 25–11 victory.
The third set was one of the most dramatic parts of the match. Thailand established a 22–19 lead and appeared ready to regain control, but China produced an excellent late comeback. The hosts scored six of the final seven points to win the set 25–23 and move just one set away from the continental title.
Thailand refused to surrender. They regained their composure in the fourth set, improved their reception and used their fast attacking system to stretch China’s block. Thailand won the set 25–18 and forced a deciding tie-break.
The fifth set remained close until Thailand produced a crucial block to move ahead 9–7. Sasipaporn Janthawisut then delivered two aggressive jump serves that forced consecutive reception errors from China. That decisive run allowed Thailand to pull away before completing the historic victory 15–10.
Sasipaporn Janthawisut was the outstanding scorer of the final, finishing with a match-high 28 points, including 25 attacks and three aces. Two of her aces came during the decisive stage of the fifth set. Veteran middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang delivered an exceptional performance with 18 points, including seven blocks, while Chatchu-On Moksri contributed another 17 points.
China were led by outside hitters Zhuang Yushan and Wu Mengjie, who scored 21 points each. Thailand held a significant advantage in attack, outscoring China 68–59. China finished slightly ahead in blocking, 11–10, while Thailand led the service category with five aces compared with China’s four.
Remarkably, after five sets the teams were separated by only one total point, with Thailand scoring 99 points and China finishing with 98.
The victory gave Thailand their fourth Asian continental championship, following their previous titles in 2009, 2013 and 2023. Thailand also successfully defended the championship they won in 2023, when they also defeated China in the final.
Most importantly, Thailand secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It will be the first appearance in the women’s Olympic volleyball tournament in the history of the country.
China, the record 13-time Asian champions, missed the opportunity to qualify directly for LA 2028 through this competition. China have competed at every Olympic women’s volleyball tournament since making their debut at Los Angeles 1984. Both Thailand and China still qualified for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup, alongside bronze medalists Japan.
Thailand captain and setter Pornpun Guedpard was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Setter. Sasipaporn Janthawisut of Thailand and Zhuang Yushan of China were selected as the Best Outside Hitters. Thatdao Nuekjang of Thailand and Wang Yuanyuan of China received the Best Middle Blocker awards. Japan’s Yukiko Wada was named Best Opposite, while China’s Wang Mengjie was selected as the Best Libero.
Thailand’s victory was one of the greatest moments in the history of their national team—a comeback from 2–1 down against the host nation, a fourth Asian championship, a successful title defense and, above all, Thailand’s first-ever Olympic qualification.
Not a bad ball in but it means China can't run their middle. Here's a chance.
Great touch in the block by Zhuang Yuxian. She can't get past Pimpa Chai. They're having a good
old tussle. Nice up from Chia Chuan. Susi Viporn and China will have that point.
Two swings for Susi Viporn. They set two errors. She has to stay positive.
Oh they're waiting for that. They've ran it once too often. China knew what was coming.
That's a great out from Pompan. Massive swing Susi Viporn.
What a side out point that is for Thailand. Ball just hangs in the middle of the court.
Oh what a pickup. Susi Viporn goes to work. Guangxi Xu is wishing she got in on the block mate.
Now she's getting a few boos. Oh well played. Well watched. Oh goodness.
What a scramble by China to get that ball in the hittable position for Zhuang Yuxian.
China's offense right now is entirely predicated upon the talent of their hitters individually.
There's no speed. Guangxi Xu. These two teams are going toe to toe at the moment.
She crosses the threshold of 20 points in the game with a lovely chop down the line.
China two points. Decent ball in. Well that'll work. Lovely combination play.
Not for the first time. That is the first up play call with a Charaporn into the offense.
Well funny enough that five set I talked about is you and I compensating that one in Nanjing.
And it's just almost a carbon copy of that match as these two teams go after each other here in
this pit. That's a deep. It's gonna have to go back for China to have another go.
Not a time to make that block. It's only twice that Zhuang Yuxian's been stopped in the match.
But what a critical moment to make that one. Thailand hanging on for long enough to make
one more play. Double substitution with a Charaporn at the net reaping the rewards
from a Charaporn. To touch. To go in front. To go in front. Sassibabon. 7-6 Thailand. Timeout China.
It must feel very very different indeed. He's gonna handle it best.
Chance. Look at the reactions for the Thailand players and then the referees like no that was in.
Well that's why Zhuang Yuxian's gone off. She's got a bit of cramp.
Oh goodness me. Squish factor. After that attack into the front row. Good pass.
Net touch by China. Not a big swing from Miss Bai Bai. And Thailand ahead again here.
Such consistent. Magnificent. Tat Tao with yet another block. That is her seventh block
for the game. What a moment to bring that up. Oh incredible. They need to just send the ball
a lot wider. Let Wu Mengjie work by the antenna. Doing that right now. China need to match it.
That is a super touch from Tat Tao. Is going to get the swing as she got the touch.
Referee well played. No that's now passed. It's actually now past the hand. So no it's
Nice pass. Super swing. Super swing. Thailand silenced the crowd.
China looking for side out. They've ran away from the middle here.
That's a really good swing from Wu Mengjie. But was it going in? This ball is dropping in.
Makes the right move. Both teams just set her in the back row.
But look at that again. He's just gonna keep going to Sassipaporn here. Gong Shengyu forced
to stay in that little bit longer. To be responsible for Tat Tao. She doesn't want
to leave early. Ends up jumping out towards Sassipaporn. There is Sassipaporn with the serve
now. Goes big. That's too tight. Good cover. Wu Mengjie is over the top. But that's a great
touch from Cha Chuan. Well played to get a swing on that. Three ball Thailand. Three attacking
options. Bin Pichai. Yes has put it on the ball. 12-9. But it's not over yet. Don't get overexcited.
And that's just me. China will request a video challenge.
Or a net touch. I'm not sure where. Oh it's the last point. There's no net touch. There's
Sassipaporn with the serve. That's a great serve. It's an ace over Sassipaporn. And now
Thailand are two away from victory. It is a long flight from Bangkok to Los Angeles. But Thailand
have one foot on the plane. They are queuing up to buy a ticket at the moment.
What a serve for Sassipaporn. And it's now match point for Thailand. This is unbelievable.
What a time to come up with that. Sassipaporn serving for the match. It's gonna stay in play.
There's a swing chance. Bin Pichai. Oh no. Overcooked it.
Wu Mengjie with the serve to try and keep China in this match. The pass is good. The set's good.
The swing is amazing. And Thailand have done it for the first time in their history. They have
dropped a place at the Olympic Games. They'll be going to Los Angeles in 2028. It is absolute
scenes here. What a performance from Thailand. They beat Japan in the semi-finals and now they
have beaten China in the final to win the ABC Women's Volleyball Continental. Tears for the
coach. Tears for the players. Tears for the fans. Tears of joy. They have done it. They have only
gone and done it. Quite extraordinary. A moment they will never forget. Their best chance of going
to LA 2028. They were qualified. Look at that. There it is. The ticket to the Olympic Games.
They must feel like they are dreaming right now.
