FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship 2025 - News.

FIVB Boy's U19 World Champ 2025

Tunisia’s Yahiya Jemai brings fire and ice to Tashkent courts

The U18 African Championship MVP adds flair and firepower at the U19 Boys’ World Championship

Published 07:30, 02 Aug 2025

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You cannot miss him on the court. Yahiya Jemai wears neon yellow goggles and has long, braided hair pulled back in tight rows. His sharp blue jersey sleeves stretch over black compression sleeves, adding to the intensity of his look. Everything about him, from his posture to his stare, feels composed. But it is a calm that does not last long once the match begins.

  • Watch the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship on VBTV

"I have my special and unique look. I really like it," Jemai said. "There may be ups and downs in my game, but I am good at it. I put all my energy, all my force, all my power into the game. I hope I have lived up to everyone's hopes."

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Yahiya Jemai puts all his power into an attack against Algeria at the U19 World Championship in Tashkent.

The contrast between his cool appearance and high-powered play makes him one of the most striking figures in the tournament, a true fire and ice presence.

Against African rivals Algeria, Jemai scored 21 points on 18 kills, two aces and one block in one of his most complete performances of the tournament.

"It was a very difficult match against a team from Algeria," he said. "They are very good team. They play volleyball very well,” he said.

“This five-set match was very difficult. We started the set well and we lost our focus in the match, but we played volleyball the right way in the end.”

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Fired up after a point, Tunisia’s Yahiya Jemai celebrates during his team’s five-set victory over Algeria in Tashkent.

Seventeen-year-old Jemai, who stands 1.93 meters tall, plays as outside hitter for Tunisia. The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan is his first time competing at the world level.

Jemai earned MVP and Best Outside Hitter honors at the 2024 U18 African Nations Championship, where he helped Tunisia claim the continental title. In Tashkent, he is part of a new generation representing Tunisia on the global stage.

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Tunisia’s Yahiya Jemai reacts during the match against Algeria at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Tashkent.

"It is a good experience for us," he said. "We are African champions, and this is our first international competition. We are very satisfied with the infrastructure, the atmosphere, and the competition with the teams. I am very satisfied, and I hope to participate in other World Championships, in the U21 or senior level."

Stylish, composed, and commanding when it counts, Jemai is proving that his fire and flair can fuel Tunisia’s future.

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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