China 🇨🇳 vs Thailand 🇹🇭 | Gold Medal Match | AVC Women's Continental Championship 2026 | Highlights

China vs Thailand | Gold Medal Match | AVC Women's Continental Championship 2026 | Highlights. China and Thailand produced one of the most dramatic matches of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship, with Thailand defeating host nation China 3–2 in an unforgettable gold medal match.

The final was played on August 30, 2026, at the Tianjin Olympic Center Gymnasium in Tianjin, China. Thailand won the match 25–20, 11–25, 23–25, 25–18, 15–10. Despite five intense sets of volleyball, the teams were separated by only one point in the final total, with Thailand scoring 99 points and China scoring 98.

Thailand started confidently and won the opening set 25–20, but China responded with an overwhelming performance in the second set. The hosts dominated at the net, recorded five blocks and comfortably took the set 25–11.

The third set became one of the biggest turning points of the match. Thailand established a 22–19 advantage and appeared close to moving ahead 2–1, but China produced an excellent late comeback. The Chinese team scored six of the final seven points, won the set 25–23 and moved within one set of becoming Asian champion.

However, Thailand refused to surrender. With the continental title and direct Olympic qualification at stake, the Thai players rediscovered their attacking rhythm and controlled the fourth set 25–18, forcing the gold medal match into a decisive fifth set.

The tie-break remained close during its opening stages. A crucial Thai block created a 9–7 advantage before Sasipaporn Janthawisut delivered two aggressive serves that caused consecutive problems in China’s reception. Thailand pulled away during the most important moments and completed the historic victory 15–10.

Sasipaporn was Thailand’s biggest offensive weapon and the leading scorer of the match. The outside hitter finished with an outstanding 28 points, including 25 attacks and three service aces. Two of those aces arrived during the decisive fifth set.

Veteran middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang also delivered an exceptional all-around performance, recording 18 points, including seven blocks. Chatchu-On Moksri contributed another 17 points. Thailand finished the match with a significant 68–59 advantage in attack.

China held an 11–10 advantage in blocks, while Thailand led 5–4 in service aces. Outside hitters Zhuang Yushan and Wu Mengjie were China’s leading scorers with 21 points each. However, China could not consistently contain Thailand’s fast and varied offense during the final two sets.

This victory carried enormous historical significance. Thailand successfully defended the Asian title it had won in 2023 and captured its fourth continental championship, adding the 2026 trophy to its previous titles from 2009, 2013 and 2023.

Most importantly, Thailand secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It will be the first Olympic appearance in the history of Thailand’s women’s national volleyball team. China, a three-time Olympic champion that has participated in every Olympic women’s volleyball tournament since Los Angeles 1984, missed the opportunity to secure an early qualification place for LA28.

Thailand captain and setter Pornpun Guedpard was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Setter. Sasipaporn Janthawisut was selected as one of the two Best Outside Hitters, while Thatdao Nuekjang received one of the Best Middle Blocker awards.

The tournament’s Dream Team included MVP and Best Setter Pornpun Guedpard of Thailand, Best Outside Hitters Sasipaporn Janthawisut of Thailand and Zhuang Yushan of China, Best Middle Blockers Thatdao Nuekjang of Thailand and Wang Yuanyuan of China, Best Opposite Yukiko Wada of Japan and Best Libero Wang Mengjie of China.

It was a remarkable final defined by momentum changes, pressure, resilience and history. China appeared to be heading toward the championship after recovering from the opening-set defeat and taking a 2–1 lead, but Thailand produced an extraordinary response. By winning the fourth set and controlling the decisive tie-break, Thailand became Asian champion for the fourth time and finally achieved its long-awaited Olympic dream.

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