Japanese stars Mayu and Yuki Ishikawa received the top individual honors at the first AVC Gala Awards, held in Bangkok as the Asian Volleyball Confederation recognized leading performers and contributors from the 2025 season.
The ceremony was staged during the 26th AVC General Assembly and covered awards in indoor and beach volleyball, including categories decided by fan voting.
Mayu Ishikawa, captain of Japan’s women’s national team, was named Outstanding Women’s Volleyball Player, while her older brother and Japan men’s captain Yuki Ishikawa received the men’s award. Yuki accepted both honors as Mayu was unable to attend the ceremony.
South Korean great Kim Yeon-Koung was recognized as an AVC Ambassador for her career and contribution to volleyball. Ferhat Akbas, head coach of the Japan women’s national team, was named Volleyball Coach of the Year.
China’s Zhu Ting won the Fans’ Choice Women’s Volleyball Player award, while Filipino international Bryan Bagunas received the men’s Fans’ Choice honor. Kazakhstan’s Yuliya Akulova was named Volleyball Referee of the Year.
In beach volleyball, Japan’s Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami were named the outstanding women’s players, while Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan received the men’s award.
Philippines pair Cherry Ann Rosales and Bernadeth Pons won the women’s beach volleyball Fans’ Choice award, with Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab taking the men’s honor. China’s Wang Lijun was named Beach Volleyball Referee of the Year.
Former FIVB President Wei Jizhong of China received the AVC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Legacy awards were presented to Ary Graça, Rita Subowo, Saleh Ahmad Bin Nasser and Shanrit Wongprasert, while Mariko Satomi, Tomas Santamaria and Yim Hyung Bin received posthumous recognition.