International Sitting Volleyball Tournament. Held in Japan for the first time in 16 years.
The Japan Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities (JPSA) held the "Sitting Volleyball Challenge Match 2019" (co-hosted by the Japan Para Volleyball Association (JPVA)) at Chiba Port Arena in Chiba City from May 23 to 26.
This marked the first time in 16 years that an international sitting volleyball tournament (volleyball played seated by athletes with lower limb disabilities) was held in Japan, attracting over 4,000 visitors during the event.
Teams from China (world ranking 2nd), Canada (6th), Italy (11th), and Japan (10th) participated in the tournament, competing in preliminary rounds and placement matches (world rankings as of August 2018).
This tournament was also crucial for the Japanese national team as they prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Originating in the Netherlands, the sport became an official Paralympic event at the 1980 Arnhem Games. While the rules are largely similar to standard six-player volleyball, athletes must keep their buttocks in contact with the floor at all times during play. Additionally, the net height and court dimensions are modified.
The rally-point system (where points are scored regardless of serve) is used, and matches are decided in a best-of-five sets format, with each set played to 25 points.
Players are classified as VS I (severe) or VS II (less severe) based on the degree of their disability. Each team consists of 12 players, with 6 competing on the court. A maximum of 2 VS II players can be on the team, and only 1 can play on the court at any given time.
On the final day, the third-place match between Japan and Canada and the final between China and Italy were held. Japan showed great effort in the third set, winning their first set of the tournament, but ultimately fell to the stronger Canadian team.
In the final, China, armed with powerful spikes, won all three sets to claim the championship.
The small court and fast pace, rallies where players dive for balls just above the floor, and spikes that defy disability—the sight of the team fighting as one is a must-see.
At the venue, members of the Narashino High School Wind Ensemble split into two groups for each match, staging original, instrument-free cheering battles that energized the players and delighted the audience.
At the awards ceremony, the overseas teams commented: "It was a wonderful experience. We thank all the organizers and spectators," "Thank you to everyone who supported us," and "We look forward to meeting again in Tokyo in 2020."
JPVA Chairman Yoshihisa Mano praised the international representatives, stating, "I am confident in the achievements of these three countries at the Tokyo Paralympics. Japan will strive to learn from them and grow further. This tournament has been a dream come true for me. Let's meet again in Tokyo next year."
JPSA Official Website: http://www.jsad.or.jp/index.html
JPVA Official Website: http://www.jsva.info/
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