Thai beach spikers face Asian challenge
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Forty-nine teams from 17 countries are battling in the flood-delayed third Khanom-Chang Asian Tour Beach Volleyball Tournament at Nadan Beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat, concluding tomorrow.
In the men’s event, New Zealand brothers Ben and Sam O’Dea, who captured last year’s Samila-Chang Asian Tour Tournament in Songkhla, are expected to face daunting challenges from Kazakhs Alexander Dyachenko and Alexy Sindorenko, who won last year’s Batam Asian Tour in Indonesia. Also gunning for the title is Indonesia’s Andy Ardiansyah, gold medallist in last year’s SEA Games on home soil, who has teamed up with new partner Ade Candra.
All eyes will be on host teams in the women’s competition. Usa Tenkpaksee and Jarunee Sannok, Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medallists and former Asian Beach Games winners, are leading the charge. Seeking to stop them in their tracks is compatriot and SEA Games gold medallist Varapassorn Radarong, who has a new partner in Tanarattha Udomchavee, who won last year’s Samila-Chang Asian Tour Tournament.
The Thais can expect a strong challenge from China, Japan, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
The double elimination round kicked off yesterday, while the semi-finals and finals for both men’s and women’s events will be held tomorrow.
