Staff Reporter
Sanya: A highly anticipated all-Qatari showdown will take centre stage in the Round of 16 of the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026, as Qatar’s men’s beach volleyball teams face off today at the start of the knockout phase.
The first team, featuring Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, topped Group B after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Iran (21-11, 21-23, 15-13), underlining their title credentials. Meanwhile, the second team of Mohamed Ehab and Moussa Al-Khair secured second place in their group following a 0-2 loss to hosts China, setting up a direct Qatari encounter for a place in the quarterfinals.
Both teams delivered strong performances in the group stage, with the first team recording wins over the Maldives and Uzbekistan, while the second team claimed victories against Saudi Arabia and Macau before their defeat to China. The decisive clash reflects the depth and progress of Qatari beach volleyball on the continental stage.
In the women’s competition, Qatar’s first team of Haya Abu Issa and Laila Mohammed exited the tournament after a 0-2 loss to China in the opening round.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s beach handball team faces a crucial test against Thailand today, aiming to secure a semifinal berth and continue its title defence. The team enters the match in dominant form, having recorded five consecutive victories against Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Jordan to top their group with maximum points.
Drawn in a competitive group that includes Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Mongolia, Qatar has maintained a high level of performance throughout. Today’s encounter is pivotal in determining their path to the knockout stages, ahead of their final group match against the Maldives. The semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday, with the final set for Thursday.
In basketball, Qatar’s men’s 3×3 team made an impressive start with two victories, defeating Bahrain 21-11 and Kazakhstan 22-15 to strengthen their qualification hopes. The team displayed strong cohesion and attacking efficiency, securing a perfect start to their campaign.
The women’s team, however, faced a tough opening, falling 5-21 to China. The men’s team will conclude their group stage against India, while the women’s side prepares to face Kazakhstan in their next fixture. The knockout rounds begin on Tuesday, with the tournament concluding on Wednesday.
Qatar’s sailing team also continues its campaign, with Tamim Shams competing in the Optimist class and Thani Shams in the ILCA 4 category. The competition follows a cumulative scoring system across ten races, requiring consistent performance to secure top positions. With races continuing until Tuesday, Qatari sailors are aiming to improve their standings as the competition progresses.
In the overall medal standings, China remains firmly in the lead with 19 medals, including nine gold. Thailand holds second place with eight medals, followed by the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates with six medals each. Vietnam rounds out the top five with five medals, as competition intensifies heading into the decisive stages of the Games.
