Hosts Japan learn fate at WOQT draw

Tokyo, Japan, March 11, 2015 - Speaking after the draw for the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan women's coach Masayoshi Manabe said: “I always say how important it is to win the opening match. Now I’m focusing on the first match against Peru. Team staff and players will unite as one and do all they can to get the ticket for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.”

The World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan doubles as the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament. It is scheduled to take place from May 14 to 22 (Women) and from May 28 to June 5 (Men).

Click here for the draw results.

The draw ceremony was held in Shinjuku, near the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, with FIVB Board of Administration Member Shanrit Wongprasert, Japan Volleyball Association President Kenji Kimura and Japanese 1976 Olympics gold medallist Takako Shirai in attendance.

Mr Kimura welcomed the ceremony attendees. “It is a great pleasure to hold the Olympic Qualification Tournament here in Japan. For Japan’s national teams, it is a mission to be qualified to Rio 2016. Also, they have to make good results for the next generation, who will play on the courts of Tokyo 2020. On the memorial day of the great earthquake five years ago, we are all reinforced to encourage all victims and Japanese people through volleyball,” he said.


The World Olympic Qualification Tournament draw was held in Shinjuku, Tokyo on Friday

In the women’s tournament, the Dominican Republic meet Thailand in their opening match. On the same day, South American challengers Peru open their tournament with a match against hosts Japan. European giants the Netherlands and Italy meet on May 20, the fifth day of the tournament. Asian rivals Japan and Korea will match up on May 17, the fourth day of the women's competition.

In the men’s tournament, Asian powerhouses Iran, who are aiming for a first Olympic ticket, face Australia on the first day of the tournament. 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship winners Poland and 2015 World League champions France clash on the second day on May 29. Hosts Japan, on the other hand, conclude their Olympic qualifying adventure with a match against France on June 5.

Also speaking after the draw, Japan men’s team head coach Masashi Nambu said: “In the men’s tournament, all the teams are very tough. To make my young players confident, I’ll try to get victory in the first match.”

The World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan will decide which four teams join the seven teams per gender which have already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In each gender, the best ranked Asian team plus the top three ranked teams will qualify for the Olympics. If an Asian team is ranked among the top three, then the next ranked team will be qualified.

From March 12, the Japan Volleyball Association will sell tickets for the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments through Lawson Ticket and viagogo. Click below for more information.

Lawson Ticket
http://l-tike.com/oqt-e/

viagogo
Women’s Tournament
http://www.viagogo.jp/Sports-Tickets/Volleyball/Volleyball-Olympic-Qualification-Women-Tickets?pcid=PARTJPSPRTJPVABD05247E1E

Men’s Tournament
http://www.viagogo.jp/Sports-Tickets/Volleyball/Volleyball-Olympic-Qualification-Men-Tickets?pcid=PARTJPSPRTJPVABD05247E1E