Morais Abreau (left) and Mario Silva are competing in their second World Championships together at the FIVB Swatch World Championships Rome 2011 powered by smart.
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Rome, Italy, June 14 - At 42 years of age most athletes are long retired, but not so Morais Abreau of Angola, who continues to fling himself around the beach volleyball court with an enthusiasm that one would expect from an athlete half his age.
Abreau is competing with Mario Silva at FIVB Swatch World Championships Rome 2011 powered by smart and is proud to be part of the lone African pairing in the men’s competition.
“It is a big, big emotion to be here, because it is a great sport. And then we are here to represent our country and our continent,” Morais said.
“It’s very, very important for our country because when our country sees us in this tournament it can help us develop beach volleyball. We come here and then people see and they realise that this sport exists.”
Back home in Angola Abreau runs his own business importing food and has to fit his training around about work commitments.
It is something he is prepared to continue for another year in the hope of reaching the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“I can try for this,” Morais said. ”We have reached this objective here. We have to win in Africa at the Continental Cup to arrive at the Olympic Games.
“I feel ok. In my country the people call me sports man because I used to practice a lot of sports. I am disciplined to training and I don’t drink alcohol or smoke. Only sport.”
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