Vanuatu women chase Los Angeles Olympics qualification in China

The Vanuatu women's beach volleyball team is aiming to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics through a series of training camps and competitions in China. The team, consisting of Sherysyn Toko and Majabelle Lawac, will participate in the 2026 AVC BV Continental Championships in Shangluo city, which features 13 teams from Asia and Oceania. The winners of both the men's and women's competitions will earn spots in the Los Angeles Olympics.

Vanuatu, being the only Pacific Island nation to qualify for the event, has been placed in Pool D alongside New Zealand, Thailand, and Kyrgyzstan. Their opening match will be against Thailand on Wednesday night. Historically, Vanuatu's women's beach volleyball team has been one of Oceania's strongest nations, but they have yet to secure Olympic qualification through regional events.

The 10-day high-performance camp in Australia aims to prepare the team for the continental tournament and the eventual qualification process. During the camp, the athletes receive targeted skills work, compete against elite local opponents, and receive detailed video analysis to improve their performance for the 2026 Asian BV Championships in China. The team also benefits from guidance from Olympian Julien Prosser during their stay in Sydney.

Coach Miller Pata emphasizes the importance of the camp in developing the team's partnership on the court and integrating the training systems and drills into their daily preparation back home. The Vanuatu Volleyball association believes the camp is a crucial step toward achieving Olympic qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.