Cherif and Ahmed Crowned Sanya 2026 Champions as Qatar Secure Beach Volleyball Gold

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April 29, 2026
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29-April-2026

Cherif and Ahmed Crowned Sanya 2026 Champions as Qatar Secure Beach Volleyball Gold

Sanya (China) – Qatar’s beach volleyball duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan were crowned champions at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games, clinching the gold medal with a commanding 2–0 victory over Iran (21–15, 21–12) in Wednesday’s final.

The triumph marks the culmination of a dominant and steadily rising campaign by the Qatari team. The duo topped Group B with a perfect record, defeating Maldives, Uzbekistan, and Iran, before overcoming Qatar’s second team in an all-Qatari Round of 16 clash. They then continued their impressive run by defeating China in the quarter-finals and Thailand in the semi-finals, before sealing gold in emphatic fashion.

Thailand secured the bronze medal after defeating Oman 2–0 in the third-place match.

Cherif and Ahmed are widely regarded among the world’s elite, having achieved a string of remarkable milestones, most notably their Olympic bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, alongside consistent performances on the international circuit that underline their enduring excellence.

Qatar’s success in beach volleyball at the Asian Beach Games reflects a sustained trajectory of growth. After claiming bronze at Phuket 2014, Qatar asserted its dominance at Da Nang 2016, winning both gold and silver medals, a testament to the nation’s rising stature on the continental stage.

On this occasion, Ali Ghanem Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Volleyball Association, dedicated the gold medal to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and to H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Qatar Olympic Committee, in recognition of their continued support and patronage of the sport. He also extended the dedication to the Qatari people for their unwavering backing of national teams.

Al Kuwari highlighted that Sheikh Joaan’s leadership at the continental level has played a pivotal role in elevating Qatar’s sporting standing across Asia, positively impacting various disciplines, including volleyball, which continues to achieve outstanding results.

He further noted that the formation of the Cherif–Ahmed partnership in 2016 marked a defining moment, with the duo establishing themselves as a consistent force on both Asian and global stages. Their return to the top of the podium following their 2016 gold reflects sustained planning, development, and competitive excellence.

Al Kuwari emphasised that the increasing competitiveness of the tournament, marked by several upsets, underscores the challenge of not only achieving success but maintaining it. He also pointed to the federation’s long-term vision, which includes expanding the talent base, developing youth categories, and preparing for major upcoming events, notably the Asian Olympic qualification tournament in September and the FIVB World Championship Qatar 2029.