Thailand made history in Tianjin. The reigning Asian champion defeated host China 3:2 (25:20, 11:25, 23:25, 25:18, 15:10) in the final of the AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship 2026 and secured a direct quota for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. This will be the first participation in the Olympic Games for the Thai women's national team. After this match, Thailand climbed 3 more places and is now 14th in the world.
The final at the Tianjin Olympic Center Gymnasium lasted 2 hours and 5 minutes and was watched by 9390 spectators.
Thailand started better and won the first set 25:20. China responded emphatically with 25:11, and after 25:23 in the third set, the hosts turned the score around and took a 2:1 lead.
Thailand equalized after 25:18 in the fourth set and sent the battle for the title into a tie-break. In the decisive part, the Thai women won 15:10 and closed the final 3:2.
The most effective player for the winners was Sasipaporn Jantawisut with 28 points, and Thatdao Nuekjang added 18. Interestingly, Jantawisut was the main figure for Thailand in their 3:0 (25:22, 25:20, 25:17) victory over Bulgaria in the Nations League in June in Bangkok. Then she finished as the top scorer with 21 points, and that success was the first for the Thai women in VNL 2026.
| Indicator | China | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Attack points | 59 | 68 |
| Blocks | 11 | 10 |
| Aces | 4 | 5 |
| Points from opponent's errors | 24 | 16 |
| Total points | 98 | 99 |
Only one point separated the two teams in the total score – 99:98 for Thailand. The champions' most significant advantage was in attack – 68 against 59 points. China had a minimal advantage in blocks – 11:10, and Thailand finished with one more ace – 5:4. The success ended Thailand's exceptionally strong finish in the tournament. In the semi-final, the team defeated Japan with3:1 (25:21, 25:20, 20:25, 25:20), while China eliminated Iran with3:0 (25:22, 25:12, 25:19). Thailand entered the final as the reigning Asian champion and three-time winner of the continental title. This was the third final between Thailand and China in the history of the Asian Championship, with the Thai women also winning the previous two – in 2009 and 2023. With the triumph in Tianjin, Thailand defended its gold and now has four Asian titles, adding the historic first Olympic quota for the country's women's national team.
