Ishikawa Siblings Take Top Honors at First AVC Gala
Mayu and Yuki Ishikawa headline the inaugural AVC Gala awards in Bangkok, with Ferhat Akbaş named Coach of the Year.
Japanese stars Mayu and Yuki Ishikawa received the top individual awards at the inaugural AVC Gala, held in Bangkok during the 26th AVC General Assembly, as the Asian Volleyball Confederation recognized standout performers from the 2025 season across indoor and beach volleyball.
Mayu Ishikawa, captain of Japan's women's national team, was named Outstanding Women's Volleyball Player, while her older brother Yuki, captain of the men's team, received the men's award. Yuki accepted both honors on stage, as Mayu was unable to attend.
South Korean star Kim Yeon-koung was recognized as an AVC Ambassador for her career and contributions to the sport. Ferhat Akbaş, head coach of Japan's women's national team, was named Volleyball Coach of the Year. China's Zhu Ting won the Fans' Choice Women's Player award, and Philippines' Bryan Bagunas took 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 outstanding women's players, while Qatar's Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan received the men's award. Philippines duo Cherry Ann Rosales and Bernadeth Pons won the women's Fans' Choice beach volleyball 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 went to Ary Graça, Rita Subowo, Saleh Ahmad Bin Nasser, and Shanrit Wongprasert, while Mariko Satomi, Tomas Santamaria, and Yim Hyung-bin received posthumous recognition.
