Gold, Silver and Bronze medallists in Chennai Challenger Beach Volleyball Tournament India
The BSNL Chennai Challenger Beach Volleyball Championship completed its run from 27th September to October 3rd, 2010 in India. The double-gender event featured amazing fights and concluded the final results on Sunday. The home-teams remained unsuccessful in both categories. In men’s division, Russian duo of Alexander Alikholetov and Evgeniy Romashin captured the gold-medal victory. They ousted Selcuk Sekerci and Volkan Gotepe of Turkey in two straight sets and earned the second gold medal for Russia as they won their first gold medal in Romania.
Gold and Silver medal match
In the men’s final match on Sunday, 3rd October, 2010 Russia’s Alexander Alikholetov/Evgeniy Romashin proved to be too strong for Turkish pair of Selcuk Sekerci/Volkan Gotepe. The first set started on a very interesting note. The Turkish players created a lot of trouble for Russians by producing speedy spikes. The incredible play of Selcuk /Volkan enabled them to take lead of 6-1 in first half of the set and they put pressure on Russian duo.
Alexander/Evgeniy seemed un-easy in their positions in the start and stuck to a low score. Somehow, they gradually raised their heads and resisted to Turkey’s score. The Russian hotshots formed good chemistry and timing between them. They were able to chase the score and tied the set at 7-7. Once they surpassed the Turkish score, they never stopped. They gained confidence and followed the same approach to influence Turkish pair. Evgeniy did an amazing job on hitting the ball, while Alexander complimented him with outstanding blocks. They took the game away from Turkey’s reach and claimed first set by polling 21-18.
The Russian pair kept on hitting the ball in gaps and exhausted the Turkish players with their long shots in corners. Turks tried to bounce back in the game but Russians had attained a strong position. The uproar of spectators put a new thrill in the game and Russian duo exhibited incredible hitting over the net and digging in the court. They swiftly extended their score to the end-line and clinched set victory by sending 21-18. Russia declared the gold-medal victory against Turkey in Chennai Challenger 2010. Turkey could only have their hands on the silver medal.
The Russian head coach, Oleg congratulated the players for their exceptional performance and urged them to keep up the same energy for future events. He said, “It is the end of the season, and we are happy to have finished it with a gold medal. We now need to look forward to the next season, but I am not sure if the same pair will play together again.”
Bronze medal match
Another Turkish pair comprising of Murat Ginoglu and Hakan Gogtepe challenged American Michael Morrison and Eyal Zimet in the bronze medal match on the same day. The U.S. pair outplayed Turkish duo in two straight set and pulled off bronze-medal victory. They posted 21-16 and 21-18 in two respective sets.
The first set started out with weak serves from both sides. The players took a little time to settle in their positions. The U.S. pair was quick to develop good strategy and raised their score. Turks incorporated many attack attempts from different angles but could achieve the desired results. They lost the first set by receiving 16-25.
The second set also brought success for the U.S. pair. They remained consistent in the attack and defended their score with the help of strong blocks. The second set ended at 21-18 and U.S. duo stood on the winners’ side. Americans grabbed third slot in the tournament and captured bronze medal victory.
Michael Morrison of victorious pair commented, “The points that we earn here is the stepping stone for our preparations for getting into the next level. It is our long term goal to qualify for the world tour events, which we know is going to be very difficult.”
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