India Stun China to Top Group: March into Classification Stage at Asian U16 Volleyball Championship
The Indian U16 boys’ volleyball team continued their sensational run at the 2025 Asian U16 Volleyball Championship, sweeping past China 🇨🇳 in straight sets 25-18, 26-24, 25-15 to complete a perfect group stage campaign without dropping a single set.
This emphatic 3-0 victory over China follows earlier straight-set wins against Thailand (25-19, 25-17, 25-18) and Australia (25-21, 25-17, 25-19), underlining the team’s growing stature and confidence on the Asian stage.
Back-to-back dominance over China
Remarkably, this isn’t the first time India’s junior teams have overcome China recently. Just last year, the Indian U20 team also defeated China at the Asian Championship signalling a broader shift and rising strength in Indian youth volleyball.
In this U16 contest, India looked sharp from the start, controlling the tempo and exploiting gaps in the Chinese defence. The second set proved the tightest, with India edging it 26-24 thanks to composed serves and clinical finishing under pressure. The final set saw India completely dominate, racing ahead to close out the match 25-15.
What’s next: Classification round and World Championship dream
By topping their pool with three consecutive 3-0 wins, India have secured a place in the 1-8 Classification stage officially Pool E. They are now grouped with Japan, Uzbekistan, and the second-placed team from India’s original group (A2).
Crucially, the result and points from India’s win over A2 (which will be either Thailand, China or Australia) will carry forward to the next round. The top two teams from this new group will progress to the semi-finals.
Chasing a spot at the U17 World Championship
A place in the top four of this Asian Championship would mean qualification for the 2026 U17 World Volleyball Championship. There has been some confusion online, with several sources suggesting only the top three teams qualify.
However, the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) have confirmed that, with the expansion of the U17 World Championship to 24 teams, Asia now has four qualifying spots aligning it with the U19 and U21 formats.
This change has dramatically increased India’s chances of making history by qualifying for the U17 Worlds a stage that could further showcase the country’s rising volleyball potential.
A sign of a bigger shift in Indian volleyball?
India’s dominant group stage run winning every match in straight sets, including against traditionally stronger teams like China highlights the growing depth, better youth systems, and the result of sustained efforts by coaches and federations.
Just as importantly, beating China again, after the U20 team did so last year, underlines that these results are not one-offs but part of a larger, encouraging trend.
Summary so far: Indian campaign at a glance
| Opponent | Result | Scoreline |
| Thailand | W 3-0 | 25-19, 25-17, 25-18 |
| Australia | W 3-0 | 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 |
| China | W 3-0 | 25-18, 26-24, 25-15 |
Next up, India will face tough competition in Pool E, notably against Japan a powerhouse in Asian volleyball. The two highest-ranked teams from this group will make it to the semi-finals and get a step closer to the championship title and automatic qualification for the U17 World Championship.
A huge moment for Indian volleyball
For now, the young Indian team can celebrate a job well done: unbeaten in the group stage, a commanding win over China, and realistic hopes of qualifying for the Worlds.
With momentum on their side and history within reach, the coming matches could prove defining not just for this talented U16 team, but for the future of Indian volleyball itself.
