PARNU – Next Wednesday, 13 July, begins this year’s greatest Estonian beach volleyball party in Pärnu when the World University Beach Volleyball Championships starts. The tournament takes place in Estonia’s Summer Capital until 17 July.
There will be 32 best student pairs from all over the world both in women and men tournaments.
“It is a huge challenge to organize this World University Championship but at the same time a big honour. It is a great experience to Estonian Volleyball Federation and Estonian Academic Sports Federation to conduct the championship in world level,” said the President of Estonian Volleyball Federation Hanno Pevkur and he added, “at the same time it is a great opportunity to popularize the development of beach volleyball in Estonia.”
Romek Kosenkranius, the Mayor of Pärnu finds it is a huge honour for Pärnu to host the World University Championships and a great opportunity to volley friends to cheer for such a high level tournament. “This tournament gives us a valuable experience to host sports competitions on a world class level, in addition it is a good chance to popularize beach volleyball and an active lifestyle in general. I hope that the World Championship in Pärnu provides inspiration to young people for an active life.”
Three Estonian pairs both in women and men are hungry to get medals in front of an home audience. The most famous ones are Kusti Nõlvak and Mart Tiisaar who have participated in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour and they competed in Norway in the CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Finals on Midsummer Day. “It is a high level competition and the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd is a pure joy. It is a pleasure to all volleyball fans and what could be better if it takes place at home,” said Tiisaar.
Kusti Nõlvak added, “I am happy that after such a long time there is a beach volleyball tournament in Estonia that unites volleyball fans during the summer and helps to popularize it. The World University Beach Volleyball Championship has a very important place in our calendar and we wish to show good results to our supporters and fans.”
The Estonian women’s pairs dominated the medal podium at the 4th edition of this World University Championship in Hamburg in 2008. Mari-Liis Graumann and Natalja Bratuhhina were crowned world champions, while Kadri Puri and Polina Bratuhhina got the silver medal.
(Source: WUC Beach Volleyball OC)
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