Cuba heads to Japan to attend World Olympic Qualification Tournament – Volleyball news
Women’s national volleyball team of Cuba headed for Japan on Wednesday, in order to attend the 2012 FIVB Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament. The Caribbean team will install its bases at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, where it will be joined
by seven other teams.
The 2012 FIVB Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament is scheduled to be kicked off on Saturday, May 19 and it will complete its run on May 27. The competition will offer four Olympic tickets to top four teams of the competition (one seat reserved
for Asian team).
In addition to Cuba, teams from Russia, Serbia, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Japan, and Peru will also be on board to compete for the Olympic berths. Cuban team is all shaped up to give its best shot at the competition and to claw its way to the Olympic
Games.
However, the world No. 10 Cuba will have tough competitors in the form of world champions Russia, World Grand Prix bronze medallists Serbia, and host Japan. To clinch an Olympic berth, Caribbean team will be required to find a place in the top-three teams
of the competition.
In past, Cuban team has the honour to attend every Olympic volleyball tournament since its debut in 1972. Cuba only missed the 1984 Olympic Games, which held in Los Angeles. Overall, Cuba has an excellent record. The Caribbean ‘force’ claimed gold-ware at
the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Furthermore, the team seized bronze-medal victory at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Most recently, Cuban team attended the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and finished fourth in competition.
Cuba made the first attempt to secure Olympic slot via 2012 NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament, which took place in Tijuana, Mexico earlier this month. However, Dominican Republic proved to be a detractor and sidelined Caribbean squad.
Nonetheless, Cuba is determined to take advantage of the second opportunity. Yoana Palacios and Wilma Salas will serve as the top weapons for Cuba. Moreover, the team will be supported by middle blockers Rosanna Giel and Gyselle Silva, the setters Yanelis
Santos both and Yusidey Silie and defensive expert Emily Borrell.
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