India’s debut campaign in the Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship culminated in a historic bronze medal win on Saturday in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
After a semifinal setback against Pakistan, the Indian squad bounced back to defeat Japan in an electrifying five-set thriller: 25-21, 12-25, 25-23, 18-25, 15-10.
Led by standout performances from Abdulla (16 points), Apratim (15 points), and Rafik (12 points), Team India showed grit and determination to avenge their earlier loss to Japan in the tournament. Charan also contributed 4 crucial points in the decider.
India’s journey began with dominance in Pool A, where they defeated Thailand, Australia, and China in straight sets, amassing a full quota of nine points. A victory over Uzbekistan in the crossover stage further solidified their credentials before a semifinal loss to Pakistan denied them a shot at the gold.
However, the spirited win over Japan not only secured a place on the podium but also guaranteed India a berth at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship in Qatar, alongside semifinalists Pakistan, Japan, and Iran.
This bronze medal marks a defining moment in the rise of Indian volleyball on the continental stage and reinforces the promise of a new generation of athletes making waves internationally.
