▲ Volleyball national team player Huh Su-bong (center) gives a thumbs-up after the 3rd-4th place playoff against Australia at the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship held at the Kitakyushu City Gymnasium in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on the 13th.
The South Korean men's national volleyball team (world No. 24) defeated Australia (No. 38) to finish third at the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship.
Led by head coach Isanaye Ramirez, the national team secured a thrilling come-from-behind victory with a set score of 3-2 (16-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 15-9) after a full-set battle in the 3rd-4th place playoff against Australia held today (the 13th) at the Kitakyushu City Gymnasium in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
With this win, South Korea secured a direct ticket to the 2027 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Men's Volleyball World Championship (formerly the World Championships), which is awarded to the top three teams.
This marks the first time in nine years since the 2017 tournament that the South Korean men's volleyball team has finished within the top three at the Asian Championship.
Having achieved better-than-expected results in this tournament, South Korea has also brightened its prospects for the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The national team struggled against Australia's height in the first set.
They fell behind after giving up five blocks in the first set alone.
However, South Korea revived its momentum in the second set, spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Huh Su-bong (Hyundai Capital) and Lim Dong-hyuk (Korean Air).
The two players combined for 10 points to lead the attack.
They failed to overcome the hurdle in the third set.
Trailing 22-22, Lim Dong-hyuk's attack was blocked by the opponent, leading to a point loss, and they subsequently conceded a service ace to Australia.
The fourth set was also a struggle.
In particular, when main attacker Lim Dong-hyuk complained of back pain and left the court at 13-14, the team was plunged into a bleak situation.
However, outside hitter Huh Su-bong lifted the crisis-ridden national team back up.
He successfully executed a crucial open attack at 14-14 and scored three consecutive points from 18-15 to fend off Australia's pursuit.
The match was decided in the fifth set.
South Korea raised the momentum when Huh Su-bong, Lim Sung-jin (Armed Forces Athletic Corps), and Lim Jae-young (Korean Air) scored three consecutive points from a 2-1 lead.
Afterward, the national team caught Australia off guard with central quick attacks.
Middle blocker Lee Sang-hyun (Armed Forces Athletic Corps) broke through Australia's blocking wall with quick attacks at 6-3 and 7-4.
The national team then maintained the point gap to complete a thrilling come-from-behind victory.
Huh Su-bong delivered a stellar performance with a team-high 28 points, alongside Lim Sung-jin with 15 points.
Middle blockers Park Chang-sung (OK Savings Bank) and Lee Sang-hyun also contributed with 9 and 8 points, respectively.
Having concluded the tournament, the national team will return home, regroup, and enter Nagoya—where the Asian Games will be held—on the 24th.
This tournament awards a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics to the champion, and 2027 World Championship berths to the top three teams.
By securing a World Championship berth, the men's volleyball team has kept alive its dream of qualifying for the LA Olympics.
The LA Olympics will feature 12 teams: the five continental championship winners, the top three teams from the 2027 World Championship, the host nation the United States, and the top three teams in the world rankings among the remaining teams.
The men's national volleyball team has not stepped onto the Olympic stage since the 2000 Sydney Games.
(Photo: Capture from FIVB website, Yonhap News)
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