Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan won gold in beach volleyball at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China on April 29, defeating Iran 21-15 and 21-12, according to the Qatar News Agency. The pair completed an unbeaten run, winning all seven matches and dropping just one set, reinforcing their position as a top Asian team.
The Qatar News Agency detailed that the duo dominated the final with consistent performance, technical strength and physical superiority. Younousse and Tijan controlled the match from the early points, preventing any comeback from the Iranian pair. This result highlighted their preparation for the event, which served as a key competition in the beach sports calendar. The win came against a competitive field at the Sixth Asian Beach Games.
According to an FIVB report, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan won all seven of their matches at the Sanya games while dropping just a single set. The International Volleyball Federation noted their Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze as a landmark, the first Olympic beach volleyball medal won by an Asian team. The pair had earlier triumphed with gold medals at the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games in Jakarta and Hangzhou respectively. Their body of work establishes them among the region’s most accomplished beach volleyball athletes.
Qatar Volleyball Association president Ali Ghanem Al Kuwari praised the gold as a product of sustained efforts to develop the national team. Al Kuwari said the victory provides momentum for future competitions. The federation will focus on maintaining this level and securing further success in regional and international arenas. He pointed to Qatar’s investment in athlete development, grassroots participation and international training programs as key factors.
The 2026 Asian Beach Games concluded on April 30 with a seaside closing ceremony in Sanya, according to official accounts. Figures from the event’s medal table show host China topping the standings with 24 gold medals while Qatar placed eighth with two golds, one silver and three medals overall. Beach volleyball events attracted considerable interest throughout the multi-sport gathering. Iran earned silver in the men’s competition that Younousse and Tijan won.
The duo’s achievements continue to raise the profile of beach volleyball in Qatar. FIVB data places the pair as beneficiaries of its Volleyball Empowerment programme, which aids athlete growth. Such programs align with national strategies to expand sports participation across age groups. Their repeated podium finishes offer a foundation for continued progress in the discipline.
