Events
AVC Gala Awards Night 2026 Honors Asian Volleyball Stars in Bangkok
The Asian Volleyball Confederation held its inaugural gala in Bangkok, recognizing top athletes including Yuki and Mayu Ishikawa.
On the evening of August 8, 2026, the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) hosted its first-ever AVC Gala Awards Night in Bangkok, Thailand. The event served as a platform to celebrate the most significant achievements in Asian volleyball over the past year.
According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the spotlight was on siblings Yuki and Mayu Ishikawa, who secured the top honors as the Male and Female Volleyball Athletes of the Year, respectively. The award for Coach of the Year was presented to Ferhat Akbas, the Turkish coach currently leading the Japan women's national volleyball team. Other notable recognitions included the Fan Favorite awards, which went to Zhu Ting of China for the women’s category and Bryan Bagunas of the Philippines for the men’s category. Additionally, the AVC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Wei Jizhong.
For residents and visitors in Thailand, the hosting of this inaugural gala highlights Bangkok’s growing role as a central hub for major international sporting events. While the awards ceremony successfully concluded, the long-term impact of these accolades on the regional development of the sport remains to be seen. Fans of the sport may look forward to how these recognized athletes perform in upcoming international tournaments, as the AVC continues to promote volleyball excellence across the continent.