Qualifying spots were up for grabs at the March 4th Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Roi Et, Thailand, with the top 5 teams from each gender securing a ticket to the U21 World Championships in Nanjing, China. This was a 3 day, double-gender tournament that also served as the Asian qualification round for the FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships in China happening in July.
The men’s title went to Australian duo Paul Burnett and Marcus Ferguson by way of defeating Thailand’s top team, Marudet Buntem/Jatoopon Saenyoot, in the finals. This was Marudet’s second year playing in the finals – last year he lost to China’s Zhao Chaowei/ Tan Tingyuan.
Thailand’s #3 team Konsiphong/ Keattisak won the bronze and defeated Iran’s top seed Aghajani-Ghasab/ Firouzoourbabdpei.
Thailand’s 3rd seeded women’s duo, Pawarun Chanthawichai and Thatsarida Singchuea, won the gold medal for the women’s side and upheld the honor of the host nation by defeating Japan’s top seeded team, Reika Murakami/Hana Deguchi.
Indonesia’s Maria Dwiningtyas/ Rahayu Vitria Dwi won the bronze.
The top 5 teams from each gender have a secured ticket to the 2017 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Nanjing, China.
Started writing for volleymob in December 2016
Graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in Multimedia Communications on a full-ride volleyball scholarship as a libero.
Originally from Hermosa Beach, California Kenedy started to play indoor and beach volleyball at 9 years-old. She first began as a setter and then realized being only 5'5 …
Leave a Reply