Iran claimed the championship title for the second consecutive time by defeating Kazakhstan 3-1 in the final held at the Dasarath Rangasala Covered Hall in Tripureshwor on Friday. Iran emerged victorious in the CABA Women’s Volleyball Championship. In the third-place match, the host nation Nepal lost 3-1 to India, finishing the tournament without a medal. Iran maintained its dominance by conceding only one set throughout the final, successfully defending their crown. The event took place on 29 May in Kathmandu.
Remaining undefeated, Iran defended its title in the CABA Women’s Volleyball Championship. In the final at Dasarath Rangasala Covered Hall on Friday, Iran defeated Kazakhstan by 3-1 sets to secure the championship for a consecutive time. Iran took the lead by winning the first set 25-18. Kazakhstan responded by winning the second set 25-19. However, Iran dominated the third set 25-15 to regain the lead 2-1, and then sealed the championship by winning the fourth set 25-21.
Iran had previously won the tournament held in October 2025 in Uzbekistan. In the inaugural edition of this competition, which began in Kathmandu in 2024, Iran finished in third place. Since then, Iran has established its supremacy in Central Asia by winning the title consecutively in two editions. This time, Iran remained unbeaten through five matches, winning 15 sets in total and losing only one set in the final.
This victory marked the second time Iran defeated Kazakhstan in the same tournament, having also beaten them in straight sets during the group stage. In the semifinals, Iran defeated the host Nepal, while Kazakhstan overcame the 2024 champions India with identical 3-0 set scores, advancing both teams to the final. Kazakhstan entered the final aiming to avenge their earlier group stage loss, but Iran upheld their champion form to retain the title.
The tournament carries FIVB world ranking points, so Iran’s triumph will boost their ranking position. Both Iran and Kazakhstan are preparing to compete in the AVC Cup, with this championship serving as preparation. Coincidentally, both teams are in the same group for the AVC Cup tournament scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon, Philippines. They are joined in Group B by Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Lebanon. Group A includes Philippines, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, and Uzbekistan. Although Nepal aimed to secure a medal on home soil, they finished without one. In the third-place match held on Friday, Nepal lost 3-1 against their familiar rival India, who took third place while Nepal finished fourth. India defeated Nepal with set scores of 25-22, 25-23, 15-25, and 25-22. Nepal’s head coach Jagdish Bhatt described the tournament as a valuable learning experience for the team, which included several new players, competing against more experienced sides.
