16 Jul 2018 Paralympic.org
https://www.paralympic.org/news/netherlands-2018-paralympic-champs-open-strong
Paralympic champions Iran defeated Japan 3-0 on day one of the 2018 Sitting Volleyball World Championships ⒸWorld ParaVolleyBy World ParaVolley and IPC
Defending Paralympic and world champions all secured straight-set victories, as the 2018 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships opened Sunday (15 July) in the Netherlands.
Eight matches took place with the four women’s game taking place in Arnhem. Rio 2016 Paralympic women’s champions and top seeds the USA showing their class against Hungary with a 25-7, 25-3, 25-8 victory.
Second-seeds China proved too efficient for Italy, also not dropping a set to win 25-14, 25-19, 25-9.
Over in Venlo for the men’s matches, top-seeds Iran looked strong in their quest to add the world title to their Rio 2016 gold after thrashing Japan 25-8, 25-9, 25-16.
Defending champion Bosnia and Herzegovina, whom Iran defeated in the 2016 Paralympic final, showcased their ability after downing Iraq 25-10, 25-12, 25-12.
Hosts open strong
The Dutch men seek a return to the Worlds podium after 24 years, and they displayed a positive start with a 3-1 win over Rwanda.
The women’s side – who won four world titles between 1994 and 2006 – swept Croatia in their opening match.
Runners-up achieve wins
The Brazilian women claimed a historical bronze medal at their home Paralympics and could gain confidence in adding to that medal after sweeping Egypt.
Meanwhile the World No. 2 Brazilian men, seeking to better their 2014 runner-up finish, put away Croatia 3-1.
Day One results
Women’s
CHN v ITA 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-9)
RUS v JPN 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-15)
CAN v RWA 3-0 (26-24, 25-9, 25-8)
BRA v EGY 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-7)
NED v CRO 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-9)
USA v HUN 3-0 (25-7, 25-3, 25-8)
IRI v SLO 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-18)
UKR v FIN 3-0 (25-15, 27-25, 25-22)
Men’s
EGY v POL 3-1 (25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18)
BRA v CRO 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 18-25, 25-16)
BIH v IRQ 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-12)
UKR v KAZ 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-17)
IRI v JPN 3-0 (25-8, 25-9, 25-16)
NED v RWA 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-15, 27-25)
RUS v GER 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 26-24)
CHN v USA 3-1 (25-13, 21-25, 25-18, 25-23)
The men’s preliminary round matches will take place in Venlo and Eindhoven before the semi-finals and finals take place in The Hague 21-22 July. Arnhem will host the women’s preliminary round matches before heading to Rotterdam for the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals from 19-21 July.
More on the 2018 Sitting Volleyball World Championships can be found on World ParaVolley’s website.