NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki crown Asian Women’s Club champions in Bangkok; Third title, one set lost in tournament
Japan’s NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki crowned Asian Women Club champions – FIVB
Japan’s NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki are the 2026 Asian Women’s Club Champions.
NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki defeated Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Films in straight sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-15) in this year’s AVC Women’s Champions League final played on Thursday night at The Mall Bangkapi Convention Hall in Bangkok.
It’s the third Asian title for NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, adding to their earlier triumphs in 2016 and 2024. Remarkably, they only dropped one set in the three matches they played in the entire tournament.
A total of eight clubs took part in the four-day competition played in direct elimination format – quarterfinals, semifinals and medal matches.
Both NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki and Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Films will now represent Asia in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.
Italian opposite Sylvia Nwakalor led NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki with a game-high 17 points (16 kills, 1 ace) while outside hitter Yoshino Sato added 15 points (13 kills, 2 aces) in the final. Papatchaya Phontham replied for Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Films with 13 points (12 kills, 1 ace).
Italian opposite Sylvia Nwakalor (centre) top scored for NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in the final with 17 points
Enroute the final, the Japanese side had beaten defending champions Zhetysu Taldyqorgan of Kazakhstan by 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22) in the semifinals and Thailand’s Harudot Chonburi RMUTT by 3-0 (28-26, 25-16, 25-21) in the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Films had beaten compatriots Supreme TIP Chonburi – E.Tech by 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 20-25, 31-29, 15-12) in the semifinals and Iran’s Mehregan Noor by 3-0 (25-11, 25-12, 31-29) in the quarterfinals.
Zhetysu Taldyqorgan recorded a 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-21) sweep of Supreme TIP Chonburi – E.Tech in the third place playoff to take home the bronze medal as consolation.
The 2025 champions Zhetysu Taldyqorgan of Kazakhstan settled for bronze in this year’s edition
Yoshino Sato of NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki led the Dream Team as the Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hitter. She was joined by teammates Nichika Yamada, Sylvia Nwakalor and Tsukasa Nakagawa as Best Middle Blocker, Best Opposite and Best Setter respectively.
Silver medalists Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Films produced three players namely captain Sasipapron Janthawisut as Best Outside Hitter, Kaewkalaya Kamulthala as Best Middle Blocker. Completing the Dream Team was Zhetysu Taldyqorgan’s Madina Beket as Best Libero.
Japan’s NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki crowned Asian Women Club champions
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