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.
"It's a miracle for us. This is our dream," Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai said after the match. "For me, as a coach, I have waited for this for 30 years. Some of our players have waited for this moment for so long."
"We gave our life for that. We trained hard, we did everything just for today," he added. "To qualify for the Olympic Games is the greatest happiness for us."
China recovered strongly after losing the opening set. The host increased the pressure at the net in the second, registering five blocks as Thailand struggled in reception, while Wu Mengjie repeatedly scored from the left wing to help China level the match with a dominant 25-11 win.
The third set turned into a much tighter contest. China built an early 8-3 lead, only for Thailand to fight back and move ahead midway through the set. Trailing 22-19 late on, China reeled off four straight points to take a 23-22 lead before holding firm to edge the set 25-23.
Thailand regained control in the fourth, racing to a 12-5 lead and never allowing China back into contention before taking the set 25-18 to force a decider.
The fifth set remained finely balanced in the early stages. China led 6-4 before Thailand responded to move 7-6 ahead. A crucial block gave Thailand a 9-7 advantage before two aggressive jump serves forced China into consecutive reception errors, helping the visitor pull away and close out the match 15-10.
China captain Gong Xiangyu said after the match that the team would review its performance and work on the areas that still needed improvement.
Sasipaporn led all scorers with 28 points for Thailand, including 25 attacks and three aces. Thatdao added 18 points, highlighted by seven blocks, while Chatchu-On contributed 16. For China, Wu Mengjie and Zhuang Yushan scored 21 points apiece, with Wang Yuanyuan adding 10.
Kiattipong also paid tribute to China, saying Chinese volleyball had played an important role in his own development and in the growth of the sport in Thailand.
"I have learned from China for more than 40 years, since I was a player. China has always been our teacher," he said. "We followed China step by step."
He also expressed confidence in China's Olympic prospects, saying he believed the three-time Olympic champion would still have opportunities to qualify for Los Angeles 2028 through the remaining pathways.
China has competed at every Olympic Games since making its debut at Los Angeles 1984, winning gold in 1984, 2004 and 2016. Sunday's defeat denied the host an early ticket to what would be its 12th consecutive Olympic appearance. ■
