Australia solidified its position as the premier beach volleyball nation in Asia with impressive performances at the 5th Asian Volleyball Confederation U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Thailand, securing twin golds in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Ben Hood and Lucas Josefsen demonstrated their prowess by claiming the men’s title, while Stefie Fejes and Jasmine Fleming showcased their grit and determination to secure the women’s gold medal match victory on Sunday. The achievements of the current and upcoming generations, including Tom Hodges and Zac Schubert’s Senior Asian Championship victory last month and the world ranking of No. 3 for Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy, are propelling Australia as the leading beach volleyball nation in the region.

Fejes and Fleming faced some challenges throughout the tournament, but their tenacity and skill pushed them through to the final. After a pool match loss, they triumphed in a tense quarter-final against China, eventually winning 15-11 in the decider. The duo further showcased their progress by dominating the semi-final rematch, securing a 2:0 win (21-14, 21-14) to enter the final against the top-ranked home nation team.

In the men’s category, Hood and Josefsen showcased their dominance with an impressive season on the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Tour. After a strong start to the tournament, they overcame a minor setback in the final to claim a decisive victory against Kazakhstan with a 2:0 (21-15, 21-14) win in the gold medal match.

The outstanding performances by both teams earned Australia Continental quota places at the 2023 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships to be held in November at the same location in Thailand, Roi-et.

The success of the Australian teams at the championship is a testament to their dedication and talent, with individual players like Stefie Fejes becoming only the third player in history to win the Asian U21 Championship twice. These achievements reflect the immense support and coaching provided by Volleyball Australia, and the players are grateful for the backing and encouragement that helped them achieve their goals.

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Photo Courtesy Volleyball Australia

Courtesy Volleyball Australia