Rwandan youngsters crowned beach volleyball champs
Mutatsimpundu and Nzayisenga in action against Algeria at the Olympic Games qualifiers in Rubavu. (courtesy photo)
World Junior Beach Volleyball qualifiers - African leg (Final)
Rwanda 2-0 South Africa (21-15, 23-21)
On top of qualifying for this year’s FIVB Swatch World Junior Beach Volleyball championship in Halifax, Canada, Rwanda’s beach volleyball team (Denyse Mutatsimpundu and Charlotte Nzayisenga) also defied the odds to win the African championship in Lomé, Togo.
After losing to South Africa’s Liezle Petersen/Brittiny Deelcarme at the group stages (2-0), Rwanda bounced back against the pre-tournament favorites; winning the final in straight sets 21-15, 23-21.
In the first set, Rwanda made the most of their opponents’ weak reception. The South Africans responded with a good start in the second set thanks to lethal spikes from Deelcarme. But like the first set, Rwanda’s agility on court saw them through.
In the group stages, Rwanda beat Sierra Leone (2-0), Gabon (2-0) and Zimbabwe (2-0) before losing to S.Africa to set-up a semi-final clash with Nigeria (Isabela Eyetsonetan/ Jummai Bitrus) where they needed three sets to see off their opponents (21-18, 20-22, 15-13).
Burundi reigned supreme in the men’s category after thrashing S. Africa in the final.
The tournament attracted 16 countries with the top six in both categories securing slots in the FIVB SWATCH World Junior Championships slated for August 29 – September 2 in Canada.
Final ranking
Men (Top 5)
1. Burundi
2. South Africa
3. Togo
4. Sierra Leone
5. Ghana
Women (Top 5)
1. Rwanda
2. South Africa
3. Nigeria
4. Guinea Conakry
5. Ghana
Posted by Peter Kamasa
on Jul 4 2012. Filed under Daily News, Sport.
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