Doha: Qatari teams ended their Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026 campaign yesterday with two gold medals (3x3 basketball and beach volleyball) and one silver (beach handball), reinforcing their continental strength.
Beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan won gold after a commanding 2–0 (21–15, 21–12) victory over Iran in the final. They dominated throughout the tournament, topping Group B unbeaten before beating the Maldives, Uzbekistan, China in the quarter-finals, and Thailand in the semi-finals en route to the title. Thailand claimed bronze after defeating Oman 2–0.
Their win adds to Qatar’s strong record in the sport, following success at the Asian Beach Games in 2014 (Phuket) and 2016 (Da Nang), where they secured gold and silver medals.
Qatar Volleyball Federation President Ali Ghanem Al-Kuwari dedicated the victory, saying: “We dedicate this gold to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani (OCA and QOC President), in appreciation of their continuous support and patronage of sport, as well as to the Qatari people who always stand behind their national teams. This achievement reflects a sustained journey of work and planning.”
He added: “Sheikh Joaan’s leadership role has significantly enhanced Qatar’s sporting presence in Asia, positively impacting volleyball and other sports, and strengthening Qatar’s reputation as a key contributor to Asian sport development. This gives our national teams greater confidence in international competitions.”
Qatar 3x3 basketball team strikes gold
Qatar’s men’s 3x3 basketball team were crowned champions after defeating Thailand 21–10 in the final yesterday.
The victory came after a demanding day in which the team played two crucial matches. They began their campaign in the finals with an 18–16 win over China in the semi-finals in a fast-paced, high-intensity contest before carrying their momentum into the final against Thailand.
Thailand reached the final after edging the Philippines 20–18 in the semi-finals, setting up a decisive clash with Qatar for the gold medal. China secured bronze after beating the Philippines 21–13 in the third-place match.
Throughout the semi-finals and final, the Qatari side showed remarkable composure despite playing multiple matches in a single day. They maintained their fast-paced style and capitalised on attacking opportunities effectively to claim a deserved gold medal.
Qatar reached this stage after a strong group-stage run, topping Group C with a perfect record following victories over Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and India. They then continued their impressive form by defeating Iran in the quarter-finals.
In the women’s competition, Qatar were eliminated in the second round after losing to Singapore, having qualified for that stage by finishing third in their group.
Following the match, Mohammed Saad Al Meghaiseeb as President of the Federation, dedicated the achievement to the Qatari leadership. He said the national team deserved the title based on their overall performance throughout the tournament. He also highlighted that this was Qatar’s third consecutive gold medal in 3x3 basketball at the Asian Beach Games, following triumphs in 2014 and 2016, underlining their dominance at Asian level.
He added that the victory reflected the players’ high level of preparation, particularly given the demanding format of playing multiple key matches in a single day. He said the team handled the challenge with discipline and focus while maintaining their performance throughout the competition.
Beach handball team wins silver
Qatar’s national beach handball team won the silver medal at the Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026 after losing 2–1 to Iran in the final yesterday.
The achievement capped a strong tournament campaign. Qatar opened their run with victories over Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Jordan, before topping their group with a win over Thailand. They then defeated Bahrain in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Thailand secured bronze after defeating Bahrain 2–0 in the third-place match.
The Qatari beach handball team remains one of the strongest sides on the continental and international stage, with a decorated record that includes Asian Beach Games titles in 2012 (China), 2014 (Thailand), and 2016 (Vietnam). They also won silver at the 2022 World Games and bronze medals at the World Championship in 2014 and 2016, underlining their sustained competitiveness across major tournaments.
