Toronto has been the epicenter of major events as Canada’s beach volleyball teams were chosen for this summer’s World University Games at trials.
As for the men, Grant O'Gorman (Toronto) and Sam Pedlow (Barrie) got the Games spot overcoming the challenge from Greg Simone (London) and Gabriel Burlacu (Windsor) in the final 21-9 and 21-11.
O'Gorman/Pedlow went unheralded never giving up past 12 points in any set during the five matches they played. Will Hoey (Brampton) and Liam Kopp (St. Catharines) beat Sergey Grabovsky (Aurora) and Markus Trence (Caledon) 21-18 and 21-18 to finish third.
On the women's side, defending Canadian champs Taylor Pischke (Winnipeg) and Melissa Humana-Paredes (Toronto) crushed Kaila Seguin (Windsor) and Kristina Vlcek (Toronto) 21-13 and 21-9 in the final.
Pischke/Humana-Paredes also declared winner who never gave up over 15 points in any set in the five matches they played. Charlotte Sider (Toronto) and Rachel Cockrell (Winnipeg) defeated Claudia Seguin (Ottawa) and Brandie Wilkerson (Churchill, ON) 21-18 and 21-18 to remain third.
The winning teams will play for Canada at the 2013 Summer Universiade Games scheduled for Kazan, RUS from July 6-17, 2013.
Meanwhile, it came as a shocker with Switzerland’s Martin Laciga announced his retirement from the sport after a prolific career in beach volleyball.
“Deciding to stop playing professional beach volleyball was tougher than ending the whole career itself. Although people had started talking about my retirement two or three years ago, I have always been so involved and happy playing my sport that every defeat just made me want to play and win more” said Laciga.
“I’m proof that a successful career of 20 years in beach volleyball is possible. And when you are in a sport for this length of time you are always working towards a high set of goals” the prominent star maintains.
It was Laciga’s retirement that coincided with that of other beach volleyball players of his era, which is good. Also, it leaves scope for the younger players to make their mark. It will push up the level of the game for sure. Such players have already participated in three or four Olympics as it is time to pass the ball to the young players and to give them a chance to take part in these events.
Perfect decision was made by the up and coming players in Switzerland like Nina Betschart, Joana Heidrich, Mirco Gerson and Gabriel Kissling. There is never a need to say anything much to them as they know what it means to play internationally. The high profile players will be largely motivated to sustain. They just need to maintain their motivation level high and always try to get better. These talented youngsters are the best for their age but they are aware that they still have to perform more from their athletic and mental perspectives to keep going.
Currently, there are several other age level championships are introduced to international beach volleyball. Tournaments like the under-23 championships offer young athletes with a unique chance to perform on the international level as this is what enhances their motivation as a player.
