Volleyball World Championships

Japan looks to recapture faded glory in an increasingly globalized sport

Ekaterina Gamova of Russia attacks against China’s block Courtesy of FIVB

Back in the ’60s and ’70s, Japan was a dominant force in volleyball. In fact, between 1960 and 1978, the women finished either first (three times) or second (three times) in the World Championships. The men don’t have anything like that history, but they did manage to finish third twice (in 1970 and 1974). Despite both teams dropping down in the world rankings since then, volleyball has remained very popular in Japan—which, together with the country’s economic assets, means that the country is an attractive place for the International Volleyball Association (FIVB) to hold the World Championships.

This year, the tournament returns to Japan for the third time, and the first since 1998. Both the men’s and women’s championships will be played in different venues. The first round of the women’s tournament will be held in Tokyo, Sapporo, Kobe and Nagoya; the second round in Nagoya and Osaka; and the semifinals (November 15) and finals (November 16) will be at Osaka’s Municipal Central Gymnasium and Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. The first round of the men’s tournament takes place in Saitama, Fukuoka, Nagano and Sendai; the second round is in Sendai and Hiroshima; and the semifinals (December 2) and finals (December 3) will be contested at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Yoyogi Gymnasium.

In the 2002 men’s World Championship in Argentina, Brazil stole the title away from Russia in a revenge match—20 years previously, the result was reversed when the Soviet Union finished first, also in Argentina. The 2002 tournament also marked the end of dominance by the Italians, who had won the three previous championships. Prior to that, in 1986, the United States had become the first non-Eastern European nation to claim the title; the Championship had previously been dominated by Czechoslovakia and the USSR. Now the sport is noticeably more international, with countries such as France, Cuba, Yugoslavia and the Netherlands challenging the more established powerhouses of Russia, the US, Brazil and Italy.

The 2002 Women’s World Championship was held in Germany and, like the men’s tournament, served up evidence that the game was becoming globalized. Italy, which hadn’t won a medal since the tournament began in 1952, overcame the US, another team that had never won the title. Pre-tournament favorites Russia and China finished third and fourth, respectively. In this year’s event, top-ranked China will go into the tournament as favorites, but will face significant challenges from the likes of Brazil, Cuba (winners in 1994 and 1998) and the US.

Japan is hoping that its chances will be boosted by hosting the men’s and women’s championship back-to-back, but in truth, it will be a surprise if either team reaches the semifinals. The women’s team has a slightly better chance. Although they finished in a disappointing 13th place in 2002, they are currently ranked seventh in the world and finished fifth in the 2005 World Grand Prix, the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2003 World Cup. The men are ranked 10th in the world and haven’t exactly shone in international events, although they are the top team in Asia.

The World Championships take place Oct 31-Nov 16 (women’s) and Nov 17-Dec 3 (men’s). See sports listings for details.

Got something to say about this article? Send a letter to the editor at letters@metropolis.co.jp.

Listen to the Metropolis Podcast, the coolest guide to what goes on this week in Tokyo.

Looking for international friends? Check Japan, Inc. Friends now - it's 100% free!