TIANJIN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand edged China 3-2 in a back-and-forth final of the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship here on Sunday, claiming the continental title and securing the country's first-ever Olympic berth in women's volleyball.
Thailand took the opening set 25-20 before China hit back to win the next two 25-11 and 25-23. Thailand then forced a decider with a 25-18 fourth-set win and held its nerve in the fifth to seal the match 15-10.
The victory gave Thailand its fourth Asian Championship title. Its 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.
Thailand had never previously qualified for the Olympic women's volleyball tournament. The result also made it the second team to qualify for Los Angeles 2028 through continental competition, after Canada beat host Dominican Republic 3-1 in the final of the NORCECA Women's Continental Olympic Qualifier on Saturday.
China recovered strongly after losing the opening set, dominating the second with five blocks and rallying from 22-19 down to take a tense third set 25-23. But Thailand regained control in the fourth and pulled away late in the decider. A crucial block put Thailand 9-7 ahead before two aggressive jump serves forced China into consecutive reception errors, effectively putting the match beyond the host.
China, a three-time Olympic champion, has competed at every Games since making its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 1984, but Sunday's defeat denied the host an early ticket to Los Angeles 2028. ■
