Langkawi, Malaysia, April 14, 2017 – Six men’s and four women’s pairs from Malaysia are set to make their debut at the first ever FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour – Malaysia Open at Meritus Pelangi Beach Resorts & Spa in Langkawi from April 15 to 16.
A total of 32 teams from 17 countries will compete in the two-day event, where the host team are hoping to give their country its first World Tour medal.
Malaysians Lee Boon Kiat and Tay Chien Bin will face off with their compatriots Mohd Faiz Putra Abd Razak and Rafi Asruki Nordin in the first elimination round, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals.
Lee and Tay are looking forward to the competition, where they hope to gain experience and ultimately provide a boost to the sport in their country.
“This is our chance to learn and improve, especially through the exchange of experience with international players. We hope that this will be a boost to the sport in the long run.”
Former men’s volleyball national team captain Elangovan Yogeswaran will play with partner with Mohamad Ammirol Mat Sidek will also participate in the tournament.
“Beach volleyball has great potential in Malaysia, and I hope that the World Tour will heighten the sport and interest locally,” Yogeswaran said.
Yogeswaran/Mat Sidek will play against fifth seeded Mart Tiisaar and Kusti Nolvak of Estonia.
The Cubans are one of the top favourites at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour - Malaysia Open
Another highlight of the competition will be the appearance of Olympian David McKienzie of the United States. McKienzie and partner Andrew Dentler will face Diaz Gomez Nivaldo Nadir and Sergio Reynaldi Gonzalez Bayard of Cuba in the first round.
“It will be challenging especially with tough and experienced competitors in the tournament but I am still confident getting to the end with my partner Andrew Dentler,” McKienzie said.
Meanwhile, Yew Sook Ting and Dawn Lynn of Malaysia will compete against top seeds Nadine Strauss and Teresa Strauss of Austria in the women’s tournament.
Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist Luk Teck Hua came out of retirement from volleyball to team-up with Elaine Lee Geok Ting.
“I’m passionate about the sport and I am confident that we’ll perform well over the weekend,” Luk said.
Emily Stockman and Kimberly Dicello of the United States will play Samaa Miyagawa and Megumi Murakami of Japan. Stockman/Dicello were defeated by Julie Gordon and Camille Saxton in the quarterfinals of the FIVB Sydney event at Manly Beach in March.