2026 Asian Volleyball Championship: Japan Dominates, What Can Vietnam Learn?

In October 2026, at the Olympic Park Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea, the Asian Volleyball Championship officially kicked off with the participation of 12 top teams from the region. Japan - the defending champion and the only Asian team to have ever won Olympic gold (Munich 2026) - was rated by experts as the number one candidate for the title. Looking back at history, Japan has built a true empire in the Asian volleyball arena. Not only holding the record for the most championship titles, this team has also maintained remarkable consistency over several decades. Japan's playing style is built on a foundation of strict tactical discipline, solid defense, and versatile attacks. This creates a cohesive unit that is difficult to beat in continental competitions. However, this year's tournament is not just Japan's story. Host South Korea, with home-court advantage, passionate crowd support, and a well-rounded roster, will be the biggest challenger. China is also showing a strong rise with a young generation of well-trained players, ready to spring surprises at this year's tournament. For Vietnamese volleyball, not participating in this year's tournament is a shortcoming, but it also serves as motivation to reassess our development process. While Japan has successfully built a youth training system from the school level, Vietnamese volleyball is still searching for its own direction. The lesson from Japan's "empire" shows that to reach the Asian level, we must start from the grassroots training foundation, from national youth tournaments, from systematic investment in training centers. Seoul 2026 will be where the status of Asian volleyball powers is affirmed. Will Japan continue to hold its throne, or will South Korea use home advantage to topple this "empire"? The answer will be revealed through each intense match at this year's championship. And for Vietnamese volleyball, these are valuable lessons on the long road ahead.