Thailand edges China to retain Asian Women's Volleyball Championship

Thailand edged China 3-2 in the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship final in Tianjin on Sunday, with the side from Southeast Asia also qualifying for the Olympics in women's volleyball for the first time ever.

Reigning titleholder Thailand took the opening set 25-20, before the Chinese hosts hit back to grab the next two 25-11 and 25-23.

The 14th-ranked Thais then forced a decider after prevailing 25-18 in the fourth set, and held their nerve in the fifth to wrap things up 15-10.

The victory gave Thailand its fourth Asian Championship title.

The country's previous triumph came in 2023, when it also defeated China in the final.

China remains the most successful team in tournament history with 13 titles, but has not claimed the continental crown since 2015.

Thailand's victory also made it the second team to advance to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics through continental competition, after Canada beat the Dominican Republic 3-1 in the North American qualifying final on Saturday.

China recovered well after dropping the opening set, dominating the second with the help of five blocks, and rallying from a 22-19 deficit to snatch a tense third set 25-23.

Thailand regained control in the fourth, before pulling away late in the decider.

A crucial block put the Thais ahead 9-7, before two aggressive jump serves forced their Chinese opponents into consecutive reception errors, effectively putting the match out of reach for the home side.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist China has competed at every edition of the Games since debuting in Los Angeles in 1984, but Sunday's defeat denied the team an early ticket for 2028.

China will now look to book its place at the next Olympics at the 2027 FIVB Women's World Cup in the USA and Canada, with the top three teams slated to directly earn entry into the quadrennial competition.