Sport - Volleyball

Indonesian men and Thailand women triumph

Principal Correspondent

— PHOTO: P.V. Sivakumar

CHAMPIONS: Indonesia’s Andy Ardiansyah and Koko Prasetyo, who won the men’s title.

HYDERABAD: Indonesia’s men’s pair of Andy Ardiansyah and Koko Prasetyo and Thailand women’s combination of Usa Tenpaksee and Jarunee Sannok emerged champions in the Asian circuit beach volleyball championship at Necklace Road here on Saturday night.

Ardiansyah and Prasetyo scored a comfortable 21-13, 21-18 win over Chinese duo of Gao Fang Tian and Hang Sheng Wei in 32 minutes. Better coordination and the ability to pick the gaps with ease were the decisive factors for the Indonesians. In contrast, the women’s final was more exciting under the lights. Usa and Jarunee not only combined well but exposed the chinks in the armour of their compatriots Kampoltip Kulna and Upa Phokongploy in an all Thailand-final to record a 21-16, 18-21, 15-10 win in 50 minutes.

The more athletic Jarunee was impressive with her speed and agility. The diving efforts from this girl drew applause. What delighted the capacity crowd was the way she not only made some stunning returns diving full length but so quickly positioned herself to come up with some telling smashes.

Though Kamoltip and Yupa fought back remarkably in the second game, levelling the scores 12 times to clinch it at 21-18, they failed to come good in the decider.

Other results: Third place: Men: Indonesia II bt Philippines 21-12, 21-17. Women: Malaysia I bt China 21-16, 21-19.