Korea crowned first-time AVC Cup laureates

Korea triumphed as winners of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup for the first time in the history of the competition. The fifth edition of the competition, held at the Candon City Arena in Candon, Philippines, was, in fact, the first one Korea participated in. Chinese Taipei finished runners-up and claimed their first silver, after the bronze medals in 2023 and 2025. The champions of the last three editions of the competition – Vietnam – settled for the bronze this time, and made their fourth podium in the five-year history of the continental tournament.

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After being relegated from the Volleyball Nations League last season, Korea took part in the AVC Cup for the first time. They topped the final Pool A standings after four straight-set victories and a five-set win in the deciding match against Chinese Taipei – these were the only two sets they lost throughout the tournament. In Saturday’s semifinals, they dethroned defending champions Vietnam with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-22) sweep with a match-high 19 points from outside hitter Yelim Lee. Facing Chinese Taipei again in the gold medal showdown in front of well over six thousand fans in the stands on Sunday, Korea got the job done in straight sets and mastered a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-22) shutout to lift the continental trophy. Outside Sohwi Kang led the winners with 14 points, while opposite Chang Yi-Chi delivered a match-high 16 points for Chinese Taipei.

With the FIVB World Ranking points collected through this tournament, Korea jumped nine positions up the chart -  from number 40 to number 31.

Chinese Taipei brought home the historic silver after winning five of their seven matches in Candon and losing only two, both to Korea. In the semifinals, they produced a 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-14) victory over Kazakhstan, with outside Tsai Yu-Chun leading the way with a match-high 18 points.

Earlier on Sunday, Vietnam put together an emphatic 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-19) shutout of Kazakhstan in the third-place match, largely outplaying the opponents in attack and capitalizing on their abundant unforced errors. Outside hitter and captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy was the best scorer of the match with 16 points for the winners. She also topped the best scorers ranking of the entire tournament with a total of 105 points. Middle blocker Tran Thi Bich Thuy and outside Vi Thi Nhu Quynh added 15 and 13 points, respectively, while Kazakhstan’s leading scorer – outside Kristina Belova – finished with 10 points.

Indonesia, Australia, Iran, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon, in that order, lined up in the places from fifth to 12^th in the final standings.

Korea’s 28-year-old outside hitter and captain Sohwi Kang was honored as the Most Valuabale Player (MVP) of the tournament. She was also named on the Dream Team along with setter Thi Kim Thoa Vo (Vietnam), opposite Hyunsoo Na (Korea), outside hitter Tsai Yu-Chun (Chinese Taipei), middle blockers Eunjin Park (Korea) and Chen Ciao-En (Chinese Taipei), and libero Lin Chi-Jung (Chinese Taipei).

2026 AVC Women’s Cup: all results

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