Comeback Win Seals First Team Olympic Berth Since 1968
Thailand's women's volleyball team defeated tournament hosts China 3-2 in the final of the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Asian Championship in Tianjin on Sunday, rallying from a two-sets-to-one deficit to claim direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It is the first time a Thai team sport has qualified for the Olympics since the men's football team competed at Mexico City in 1968.
Thailand won the opening set 25-20 before China leveled at 25-11 and edged a tight third set 25-23 to move ahead 2-1. The Thais responded by taking the fourth set 25-18 to force a decider, then closed out the match 15-10 in the fifth set to complete the comeback in front of a partisan home crowd.
Continental Title Retained as Guedpard Named Tournament MVP
The win also let Thailand defend its Asian Championship crown, extending its record in the competition and capping years of near-misses on the Olympic stage, including a heartbreaking qualifying loss to Japan ahead of Rio 2016 and missed campaigns for the 2012, 2020 and 2024 Games.
Setter Pornpun Guedpard was named tournament MVP, while teammates Sasipapron Janthawisut and Thatdao Nuekjang were named to the Best Outside Hitter and Best Middle Blocker categories of the tournament's Dream Team respectively, underlining the squad's depth heading into its Olympic campaign.
