Oman defend West Asian Beach Volleyball title
MUSCAT: The Oman national beach volleyball team proved once again their dominance in the region as they clinched the West Asian Beach Volleyball Championship title for the second consecutive time. The formidable duo of Hood al Jalboubi and Mazin al Hashmi secured the championship in the second round of the regional tournament which was held in Amman, Jordan from May 20 to 25.
Oman's victory was sealed with a commanding 2-0 win over Qatar's team, Mahdi and M Ihab, in the final match — mirroring the outcome of the previous edition, which concluded on May 10 in Doha, Qatar, where Oman also triumphed over the hosts.
In the final, Oman edged Qatar with identical set scores of 21-18, 21-18, displaying consistency and tactical excellence on the courts of Princess Aya Complex in Al Hussein Youth City.
The Omani champions advanced to the final after a resounding semifinal victory over Lebanon's Jad and El Chabib (2-0), following a competitive quarterfinal where they edged their compatriots Saleh and Khalfan.
Oman team during the final stage
In the group stage, the duo of Hood and Mazin began their campaign with a 2-0 win against the host nation, Jordan. Oman's second team — featuring Saleh and Khalfan — also secured a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Both teams maintained their momentum the following day as Oman team (1) beat Lebanon by 2-0 while Oman team (2) blanked Jordan team 2-1. Both Oman teams received ticket to the knockout stages.
The championship saw participation from six West Asian countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan. A total of 12 men's teams and 10 women's teams competed in the high-energy tournament.
This recent triumph adds to Oman's growing reputation in regional beach volleyball. In the first round of the West Asian Beach Volleyball Tour, held earlier this month in Doha, Hood al Jalboubi and Mazin al Hashmi captured the Asia Men's Tour title, defeating Qatar's team in straight sets to secure top honors. The Oman Volleyball Association (OVA) praised the team's performance citing it as a promising sign ahead of future continental and international events.
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