Men's Volleyball: South Korea Defeats Japan 3-1 to Win East Asian Championship for Second Straight Year

South Korea's men's national volleyball team has clinched their second consecutive East Asian Championship title, triumphing over Japan with a 3-1 victory in the final match. The win solidifies their dominance in the regional competition and marks their fourth championship overall.

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MVP is Shin Ho-jin.

The decisive match, held at the AVA Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, saw the South Korean team, led by coach Isanaye Ramirez, overcome a strong Japanese side. After securing the first two sets, South Korea faced a challenge in the third but ultimately closed out the match in the fourth set with scores of 40-38, 25-17, 23-25, and 25-22.

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Korea won the 2026 East Asian Men's Championship for the second consecutive time.

This consecutive championship win follows their victory last year, further cementing their status as a powerhouse in East Asian volleyball. The tournament, which features teams from South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan, also saw Mongolia secure third place by defeating China 3-1 in their playoff.

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Korea won the championship for the second consecutive time, which is also their fourth championship overall.

South Korea's performance was bolstered by standout individual efforts. Shin Ho-jin was recognized as the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his exceptional play, contributing significantly to the team's success. Teammates Lim Seong-jin, Choi Jun-hyeok, and Lee Sang-hyun also delivered strong performances, scoring 17, 16, and 16 points respectively, underscoring the team's collective strength.

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Shin Ho-jin (Hyundai Capital) scored 18 points, and Lim Seong-jin (Armed Forces Sports Corps) scored 17 points, playing brilliantly.