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Kazakhstan claimed the fourth and final place for the Beijing Games at the Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan in May, with a last-gasp run of two victories.

The Kazakhs had lost their first five matches, not getting much change out of Poland, Serbia, Dominican Republic and Japan, although they did push Puerto Rico to five sets.

All was not lost, though, and Kazakhstan rebounded with two victories against Korea (3-0) and Thailand (3-1) to finish as the best Asian finisher out of the top three and claim a spot at the Summer Games.

It was all they deserved after never giving up on their Olympic dream and they were able to just pip Korea for the golden ticket.

It was made all the sweeter as Korea had beaten Kazakhstan in a gruelling five-setter in the 2007 Asian Women's Championship in Thailand.

Kazakhstan's place in Beijing is the high point so far for Women's Volleyball in the country.

The sport has a strong tradition in Kazakhstan. In the past, Kazakhstan players have been included in the National Women's Team of the USSR, at various times becoming Olympic and World Champions.

After Kazakhstan gained independence, a newly formed National Team began to represent the country in international competitions organised by the AVC and FIVB.

The Kazakhstan Women's National Team qualified for the 2006 FIVB World Championship in Japan and won the silver medal at the 13th Asian Women's Championship.

In 2007, Kazakhstan for the first time appeared in the FIVB World Grand Prix and finished in 10th place, beating Dominican Republic and going close to downing Russia in an epic five-set match.

The Kazakhstan Women were a little unlucky in the Asian continental final in losing to Korea and couldn't qualify for the 2007 FIVB World Cup.

They took part, though, in the 2008 World Grand Prix.

Before becoming Head Coach of Kazakhstan Women's team, Viktor Zhuravlev was assistant coach of the Kazakhstan Men's team from 2005 to 2007, working at the 2006 FIVB World Championship in Japan and the 15th Asian Games in Doha.

Before that. from 2004 to 2005, he was Head Coach of Men's Club team "Dinamo" in Kazakhstan's capital city of Astana. With them he won the silver medal in the Championship of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Zhuravlev has been a successful coach since 1982 and has held many varied positions in his time.

From 1982 to 1995 he was Head Coach of Men's Club team "Burevestnik," who he led to numerous Kazakhstan Championships. In 1989 he also took over as Head Coach of the Kazahkstan student men's team before becoming Head Coach of the USSR students men's team, with whom he won a bronze medal at the World University Games in Sheffield, England.

This success saw him being named as Head Coach of the Kazakhstan Men's National Team in 2003, a position he held for until 2005. He led the team to fourth place at the Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan. At that time, he also was Head Coach of Club team "Dorozhnik."

From 1995 to 2003, Zhuravlev was assistant coach of Club team "Oktan" in the city of Novokuibyshevsk in the Russian Super League. In 2001, he won the silver medal in the Super League with the team.

Zhuravlev has also worked as Head Coach of the national youth teams of India, China and Iran.

Away from Volleyball, the coach, born Feb. 9, 1946 in Almaty, is an assistant professor of the physical education department at the University of International Business. He graduated from Kazakh State University.