Tokyo, Japan, May 30, 2016 – Japan has been the centre of many international volleyball competitions, and each year, the bar gets set at the highest level in terms of the competition and entertainment spectacle.
With the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games highlighting this year’s sporting calendar, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is also setting a high standard in providing top-level teams with the prospect to obtain qualification spots for the Olympic Games.
As hosts, Brazil were the first country to qualify for the Olympics. The top two teams from the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Cup and the five winners of the Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament have since joined them.
Japan sits at the height of the completion of cast for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The host nation is backed by an unparalleled wealth of hosting experience that deliver an elite competition at the highest form of entertainment through innovation and spectator experience.
Japan is indeed dubbed as the volleyball entertainment mecca with its fervour for providing a great stage and benchmark for other volleyball competitions.
Japan has been a regular host of the FIVB Volleyball World League and the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, including quadrennial events such as FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship They have hosted every edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Cup since 1977, and every edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Champions Cup since its inception in 1993.
Japan is now on its sixth consecutive stint as host of the World Olympic Qualification Tournament, which provides that final opportunity to the best men’s and women’s teams to compete for the four available tickets to the quadrennial, where the top Asian team and the top three ranked teams will be finally be able to be at the same stage with the other teams that have already qualified through various qualification tournaments.
The women’s cast at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has been completed after the Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan and Puerto Rico.
A worthy cast has been assembled at the Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo with Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Korea; while Puerto Rico made the final cut to the Olympic Games through the qualification tournament on home soil in San Juan.
The Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo gathered outstanding teams such as world champions Poland, World League winners France, Canada, Venezuela, with Asian sides Australia, China, Iran and hosts Japan.
The atmosphere so far has been electrifying as the Iranians and the Polish teams have made a good start. France, China and Australia have also recorded victories, which have also charmed the local fans to see the action live at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Canada and Venezuela have yet to record wins in the tournament but they have equally shown strength and passion that brings out the beauty of the sport.
The host team seizes the attention of the entire country and the world with their top plays and their charisma. The team has trained hard to compete on a global scale, and are reaping its benefits as they have recorded a victory on the first day.
The clamour of support for the home team has been impressive and with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games also approaching, the Japanese sports scene has been attracting a lot of attention recently.
There are many aspects of the game that makes it more special when it is held in Japan. One of the apparent reasons are the stars of the game that have totally changed the complexion of the sport as the action gets faster and more dynamic. The World Olympic Qualification Tournament is one platform wherein these athletes will entertain and inspire a generation as they showcase their talents on the court.
So far, the excitement at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium is sweeping through the entire country and the world. The diversity of the spectators in international volleyball tournaments such as the World Olympic Qualification Tournament has been overwhelmingly striking. People come in as individuals or groups, with friends or family, and from different cultures, which brings an eclectic vibe and lively atmosphere. The intense action on court puts the people on the edge of their seats and the loud cheers can be heard from the stands of the 10,000 capacity stadium.
The quality of broadcast is at its highest in Japan, spearheaded by Fuji TV and TBS, which share the same passion to deliver the thrill of the sport to the fans and viewers. These two broadcasting companies have a long history of live coverage of volleyball. Their unity in providing their broadcast technologies delivers the highest-level programmes, which enhances the spectator experience.
The Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament will resume action on Tuesday, May 31, with the all-important matches are expected to be more as the teams compete to reach the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.