RAJA AMPAT, INDONESIA — Champions were crowned in spectacular fashion as the AVC Beach Tour Raja Ampat Open 2026 concluded on April 9 in Waisai, Indonesia.
Australia’s Hood/Hodges captured the gold medal in the men’s division following a thrilling three-set victory over compatriots Howat/Ryan, 2–1 (21–16, 19–21, 15–12), in a hard-fought final. Indonesia’s Bintang/Sofyan secured the bronze medal after defeating Thailand’s Dunwinit/Banlue in straight sets, much to the delight of the home crowd.
In the women’s division, Japan’s Shiba/Reika claimed the championship title with a strong performance, overcoming Australia’s Rayner/Fejes in three sets, 2–1 (21–18, 19–21, 15–13), to secure gold. Australia’s Polley/MacDonald earned the bronze medal after defeating Japan’s Ren/Non in straight sets.
Featuring 20 women’s teams and 19 men’s teams, the tournament brought together top beach volleyball pairs from across Asia, all competing for valuable AVC ranking points across four days of high-level action.
Marking the first-ever AVC event in Raja Ampat, the tournament underscored the continued growth of beach volleyball in Asia while showcasing one of Indonesia’s most iconic destinations on the international stage.
Set against the stunning natural backdrop of Raja Ampat, the event delivered a memorable conclusion—combining elite competition, passionate performances, and a world-class setting.
Fans around the world followed the action via the official AVC YouTube channel, with full updates and results available at www.asianvolleyball.net.
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