The Technion Celebrates its Centennial The First International Beach Volleyball Tournament of its Kind in Israel Opens

Technion Challenge – The first international beach volleyball tournament of its kind in Israel opened yesterday at the Technion, as it celebrates the centennial of the cornerstone laying for its historical building.

The tournament will be divided into two parts: an Israel State Cup and the international tournament. The competitors in the Israel State Cup will be students from various academic institutions in Israel, among them the Technion, Tel Aviv University and Ben Gurion University, and the winning  pair will participate in the international tournament, which opens today.

Fourteen pairs of men and women from abroad will take part in the international tournament. Among the pairs are top ranking players from all over the world: the Brazilian pair Benjamin-Harley, who won first place in the 2011 World Championship as well as 12 gold medals over the years, and Pablo Herrera from Spain, who won a silver medal in the Athens Olympics together with his partner Adrian Gavira, who finished fifth in the two last world championships and who won a bronze medal in the European championship. The women’s tournament will be attended by Hana Klapalova and Lenka Hájec(ková from the Czech Republic, who finished fourth in the last world championship, one place before the Americans Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Hanson, who will also participate in the tournament.

During the tournament days, the Technion students will enjoy a performance by the Technion Salsa and Dance Group, a pool party and an earphone party. In addition, players from abroad will enjoy tours to Nazareth and Caesarea.

The Technion Executive Vice President and Director General, Dr. Avital Stein, said in the opening ceremony: “As someone who came from the world of sports, I am thrilled to open this unique international sports event, which is being held in the Technion at the initiative of the Student Association. This is a wonderful way to commemorate the cornerstone centennial of the Technion, a leader not only in academics and research but also in scores of sports, culture and art activities.”

Chairman of the Student Association Asaf Zinger said: “I am the first student to bring 650 tons of sand into the Technion and not be punished for it.” He wished success to all competitors, from Israel and abroad.

Chairman of the Israel Volleyball Association Jacob Shtofman said that the Technion could bring world dignitaries to celebrate with it the historical date, but has instead chosen to hold a first sports event of its kind in Israel as part of its centennial events. “We are proud to be here,” he emphasized.

The tournament finals will be held on Wednesday.

Beach volleyball is usually played by two players in each group, and most of the game rules resemble regular volleyball rules. The first beach volleyball game was played in 1920 in California. It was introduced in the Olympic Games in 1996 and today there are the beach volleyball leagues in most countries.

The tournament is held in collaboration with the Israel Volleyball Association and the Municipality of Haifa.

Above: Dr. Avital Stein opens the tournament. Photo: Roy Tal, One Frame, Technion Spokesman