Here are some interesting facts to know about sitting volleyball

1. Sitting volleyball originated in the Netherlands in 1956 as a combination of volleyball and sitzball, a German sport with no net but seated players.

2. At first, “standing volleyball”appeared at the Toronto 1976 Paralympics as a demonstration sport. Standing volleyball, along with sitting volleyball, officially became part of the Paralympic programme at Arnhem 1980.

3. Standing volleyball was discontinued from the Paralympic programme after Sydney 2000. Women’s sitting volleyball was added at Athens 2004, with China claiming the first Paralympic title.
4. The rules of sitting volleyball follow FIVB’s abled-bodied version with a few modifications. Sitting volleyball is played on a smaller court (10m x 6m) and a lower net (1.15m for men, 1.05m for women). It is played in a best-of-five set format, and the first to reach 25 points (15 in the fifth set), with at least a two-point lead, wins the set.

5. An important rule in sitting volleyball is that players must be sitting and their torso must maintain contact with the floor when playing the ball.

6. Classification is a system in Para sports that ensures an even playing field for athletes with different impairments. In sitting volleyball, athletes are put into two sport classes – VS1 and VS2 (less impaired) – depending on the severity and impact on the core functions in sitting volleyball. Impairments can be either upper or lower limb, or both.

7. There were two medal events at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with eight men’s and women’s teams, respectively, aiming for the podium.

8. Each team has six players on the court. The libero focuses on defense and wears a different uniform than the other teammates on the court.

9. Iran is the most successful country in men’s sitting volleyball at the Paralympics with six gold medals. China has won three of the four gold medals since women’s sitting volleyball was introduced at Athens 2004. But the USA ended their winning streak by capturing gold for the first time at Rio 2016.

10. Rwanda became the first Sub-Saharan women’s team in history, in any sport, to compete at the Paralympic Games at Rio 2016.