Iran and China Win Sitting Volleyball Titles

The 2010 World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Sitting Volleyball World Championships have finished in Edmond, USA, giving athletes and their respective teams official qualification for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The men’s team from Iran took first place and with it the World Champions title after defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina with a five sets victory. The fifth set between the two teams was forced after Bosnia won the fourth set.

By claiming gold and silver, both teams have qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. They will be joined by Egypt, who qualified for the Games after winning the third place against Russia.

For the women’s final, China took a big win against USA, in their first tournament appearance since winning the gold at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The women’s team from USA also won silver at the Beijing Paralympics.

The Ukrainian women’s team secured the third women’s qualifying spot for the London 2012 Paralympic Games by defeating the Netherlands in the third place playoff.

Athletes now return to their respective country, with the qualifying teams continuing training in the aim for the gold in London.

The Opening Ceremony for the event was held on the University of Central Oklahoma campus at Hamilton Field House on 10 July. Included in the celebration was recognition of teams from each country and a wide variety of entertainment.