Title-holders Japan retain their Asian Girls' 17 Volleyball Championship

World No.17 Thailand, which finished a disappointing fifth place at the previous edition in Chengdu, China two years ago, went down to defending and successive four-time champions Japan in hard-fought four sets 15-25 23-25 25-18 24-26 to finish second overall in the 13-team Asian meet, which saw all top four teams in the semi-finals make the cut for the next year’s FIVB World Girl’ U18 Volleyball Championship in Peru.

Japan won their first title since the tournament’s inception in 1997 in Yala. The remaining five Asian titles were won by the Japanese in 2007 in Kamphaeng Phet, 2008 in Manila, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, 2012 in Chengdu, China and their fifth achievement took place on Sunday with a hard-fought win over hosts Thailand here.

Japan did not lose a set to their respective rivals en route to the final showdown. Therefore, Thailand emerged as the first team, and the last side alike, which handed the world No.3 the one-set loss.

Japan reigned supreme, with Thailand, which have never advanced to the final clash since their debut effort in the biennial tournament in 1997, in second place overall. World champions and world No.1 China regained their lost pride to come in third place after outclassing Korea 25-22 25-15 27-25.

Chinese Taipei downed Kazakhstan 25-18 25-20 26-24 in the fifth-place playoff, while The Philippines thrashed New Zealand 25-21 25-15 25-22.

As the Thai team performed superbly to advance to the final round for the first time in history, Nakhon Ratchasima provincial authority has awarded the team with a special bonus of Bt100,000 cash.

In the awards presentation, Three Thai spikers had won individual awards consisting of Pimpichaya Kokram (Best Opposite Spiker), Chatchu-on Moksri (Best Outside Spiker) and Natthanicha Jaisaen (Best Setter), while Japanese captain Airi Miyabe landed the MVP award.