SRI LANKANS SHINE ON DAY 2 OF 2024 CAVA BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Negombo, Sri Lanka, January 25, 2025 – The exciting Day 2 of the rescheduled CAVA Beach Volleyball Championships 2024 witnessed the host nation, Sri Lanka, dominate the competition. With their impressive lineup of five teams, including three talented women’s pairs, they have successfully advanced to the semifinals scheduled for Sunday morning. The thrilling matches showcased not just skill but also the determination of the players representing Sri Lanka on their home turf.

The second day of this exhilarating three-day event featured intense competition and spectacular rallies, highlighting the extraordinary athleticism of teams from across Central Asia. Running from January 24 to 26, 2025, the championships are being held against the stunning backdrop of Negombo’s beaches, making it a remarkable venue for both men’s and women’s divisions.

In the women’s division, the standout performance came from Kazakh duo Kabulbekova and Ivanchenko, who showcased their prowess by defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Rasulbek Kyzy and Aitbekova decisively in their last Pool A match, clinching the victory in straight sets with scores of 21-18 and 21-4. Their momentum carried through the afternoon as they triumphed over Maldives’ Hawwa and Majidha, winning the quarterfinal match with a sensational score of 2-0 (21-15, 21-8), establishing themselves as a formidable force in the tournament.

The Kazakh team maintained an undefeated streak without dropping a single set throughout the tournament, showcasing exceptional teamwork, strategic play, and impressive coordination, making them a strong contender for the championship title.

Sri Lanka’s own Deepika and Kasuni also delivered a remarkable performance, overcoming Maldives’ Zeeniya and Areesha with a solid 2-0 (21-18, 21-14) victory in their final Pool A match. The local crowd’s enthusiasm and unwavering support propelled their performance, leading to a stunning upset against Kazakh rivals Ryukhova and Karimova, whom they defeated 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in the quarterfinals, ensuring their place in the semifinals on Sunday.

In Pool B, the Sri Lankan pairing of Kasuni and Wasana, seeded ninth, maintained their impressive form by defeating Bhutan’s Zangmo and Leki decisively with a score of 2-0 (21-5, 21-12) in their final pool play match. Their commanding performance reflects the growing strength of Sri Lankan volleyball, especially in the women’s division.

The Sri Lankan women faced little challenge in the quarterfinals, brushing aside Maldivian opponents Zeeniya and Areesha with a decisive score of 2-0 (21-13, 21-14), securing their spot in the semifinals. Their compatriots, second seeds Shehani and Chathurika, also made headlines with an impressive victory over Kazakhstan’s Ryukhova and Karimova, winning 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) in pool play. In a fierce quarterfinal clash, they overpowered Kyrgyzstan’s Rasulbek Kyzy and Aitbekova 2-0 (21-15, 21-17) to also advance to the semifinals.

The quarterfinals on Saturday concluded with a series of clear-cut victories for the Sri Lankan teams, setting the stage for an all-Sri Lankan semifinal matchup between Kasuni and Wasana against Deepika and Kasuni, while Kazakhstan’s Kabulbekova and Ivanchenko will take on Sri Lanka’s Shehani and Chathurika in the other semifinal.

In the men’s division, Sri Lanka’s second seeds Anjana and Sandun continued to impress spectators with their skill, securing a dominant win over Maldives’ Ahmed and Ali in straight sets (21-11, 21-14). They capped off their pool play with a thrilling 2-0 (21-17, 21-18) victory against the highly experienced Kazakh duo of Yakovlev and Bogatu, finishing the round with an undefeated record and topping Pool B.

Despite their loss, the Kazakh pair advanced to the quarterfinals but faced a tough defeat, going down 0-2 (17-21, 18-21) to their fellow countrymen Gurin and Mokhammad. Meanwhile, Anjana and Sandun showcased remarkable agility and control, narrowly defeating Maldivians Ismail and Adam 2-0 (21-19, 21-19) in a closely contested quarterfinal clash, ensuring their advancement to the semifinals on Sunday.

In Pool A, the Sri Lankan duo of Dileepa and Malith demonstrated their tenacity by overcoming Kazakhstan’s Gurin and Mokhammad in a thrilling three-set match that ended with scores of 21-15, 28-30, and 15-12. This match was a highlight of the day, showcasing nail-biting rallies and incredible endurance from both teams.

Later in the quarterfinals, Dileepa and Malith enjoyed a dominant performance against Maldives’ Ahmed and Ali, winning comfortably with a score of 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) in just 28 minutes, securing their place in the semifinals on Sunday.

In a notable quarterfinal match, Iran’s top seeds GhalehNovi and Abolhassan emerged victorious against Sri Lanka’s Nalin and Madusha, winning with scores of 21-15 and 21-14. Their powerful serves and strategic play overwhelmed the home team, showcasing their readiness for the upcoming semifinals.

The Sunday morning semifinals promise to deliver exhilarating matches, with Dileepa and Malith facing Gurin and Mokhammad in a rematch from Pool A, while Anjana and Sandun will challenge Iran’s GhalehNovi and Abolhassan for a coveted spot in the finals.

The players from the Maldives displayed spirited performances despite the challenges they faced. In the women’s division, Hawwa and Majidha secured a victory over Bhutan’s Zangmo and Leki with scores of 21-16 and 21-8 in Pool B, gaining invaluable experience against higher-ranked teams. Unfortunately, their journey concluded in the quarterfinals, where they fell 0-2 (15-21, 8-21) to Kazakhstan’s Kabulbekova and Ivanchenko.

In the men’s category, Maldives’ Ismail and Adam fought valiantly against Sri Lanka’s Anjana and Sandun but were eliminated in the quarterfinals with scores of 19-21 and 19-21. Ahmed and Ali exhibited potential but were unable to progress past Pool B.

As the championships head into the final day on Sunday, excitement builds among players and fans alike. The semifinals and finals in both divisions are set to provide thrilling action, with Sri Lanka aiming for a clean sweep on home soil, while Kazakhstan and Iran are ready to challenge their dominance.

The CAVA Beach Volleyball Championship 2024 has not only showcased the competitive spirit of Central Asian volleyball but also celebrated the values of sportsmanship and unity among nations. Fans are eagerly awaiting the crowning of the champions in Negombo on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

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