*This content was translated by AI.
Ranked 25th in the world, the South Korean Nam Ja-bae-gu (CEO) team claimed the title at the 2026 East Asian Men's Championship for the second consecutive tournament.
Led by head coach Isanay Ramirez (42), South Korea defeated the sixth-ranked Japan in the final held on the 9th at AVA Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with a set score of 3-1 (40-38, 25-17, 23-25, 25-22).
Last year, South Korea claimed the title by shutting out Taiwan 3-0 in the final of this tournament, and once again defended its position as the strongest team in East Asia to secure its fourth overall championship.
They dominated from the wings. Shin Ho-jin (Hyundai Capital) and Im Sung-jin (Korean Army) scored 18 and 17 points respectively, while middle blockers Choi Jun-hyeok (Korean Air) and Lee Sang-hyun (Korean Army) added 16 points each from the center.
Teams participating in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and those facing them could not earn ranking points, so Japan and China fielded teams primarily composed of promising young players.
Although South Korea did not qualify for the VNL, it defeated Taiwan and Macau to raise its world ranking from 26th to 25th, secured a 3-1 victory over Japan in the group stage, and claimed another win in the final.
The first set proved decisive. After a grueling battle lasting 40 minutes, the teams reached a 38-38 tie following 15 deuces before pulling ahead due to an opponent's error, then successfully took control of the set with an attack by Im Sung-jin.
Momentum carried South Korea as they easily won the second set. Even after losing the third set in a close contest, they secured victory in the fourth set with attacks led by Im Sung-jin and Jung Han-yong (Korean Air).
Shin Ho-jin was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
In the earlier third-place match, Mongolia defeated China 3-1 to finish in third place.
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*This content was translated by AI.
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