India clinches bronze at CAVA U19 Volleyball Championship 2025

India secured the bronze medal at the CAVA Men’s U19 Volleyball Championship 2025 after defeating Kyrgyzstan in the third-place match held at the JAR Sports Hall in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Monday.

The Indian team put up a commanding performance to clinch the medal, bouncing back strongly after an up-and-down group stage campaign. This victory marks a significant achievement for the young Indian squad on the Central Asian volleyball stage.

India showcased exceptional resilience and teamwork to defeat Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in the bronze medal clash, with set scores of 21-25, 25-14, 25-08, and 25-23. After losing the opening set, the team bounced back with tactical brilliance and controlled the game in the remaining sets.

India earned its place in the bronze medal match after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan 2, with set scores of 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 25-22. It was a hard-fought game where India showed resilience after dropping the second set.

“That second set loss woke us up. We had to dig deep, and the boys delivered,” said Indian coach Kirumani, as quoted by the Asian Volleyball Confederation.

India's campaign began with a 0-3 loss to Iran (16-25, 14-25, 20-25), but the team bounced back in style with a straight-sets victory over Kyrgyzstan (25-14, 27-25, 25-23) in the group stage, laying the groundwork for their eventual bronze medal finish.

They suffered another 0-3 loss to Uzbekistan 1, a result that pushed India to the edge, but a timely win against Uzbekistan 2 ensured they remained in medal contention.

India's 12-member squad featured several standout performers, including captain Mahendra Dhurwe, who led from the front with 21 points in a crucial match. Rajat Singh, Adarsh Rai, and Kunal Das also contributed significantly throughout the tournament.

Notably, India did not field a team in the U-16 Boys' competition.

While India secured third place, Iran defeated Uzbekistan 1 in the final to win the gold medal, showcasing their dominance in the region. Uzbekistan 1 settled for silver.

Team Manager Kuldeep Magotra expressed immense pride in the squad’s achievement, stating, “These young players have showcased the heart of champions. Their performance is a reflection of hard work, unity, and undying passion for the sport.”