Kristina May
Kristina Valjas May (born 2 June 1987 in Toronto, Canada[1]) is a Canadian beach volleyball player. She qualified to compete (along with partner Jamie Broder) at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[2] They advanced to the round of 16 until they were eliminated, finishing in a tie for ninth place.[3]
Kristina Valjas | |||||
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Personal information | |||||
Full name | Kristina Valjas May | ||||
Nationality | Canada | ||||
Born | 2 June 1987 | ||||
Hometown | Toronto | ||||
Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||
Weight | 68 kg (150 lb) | ||||
College(s) | University of Toronto | ||||
Beach volleyball information | |||||
Current teammate | |||||
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National team | |||||
Life and career
Valjas was born on 2 June 1987 to parents who both played varsity volleyball in university. Growing up, she competed in mountain biking and cross-country skiing. She is the older sister of skier Len Väljas.[3] Like her parents, she played university volleyball for the Toronto Varsity Blues, before transitioning to beach volleyball, where in 2010 she became part of the national team.[4] Valjas formed a double with Jamie Broder in 2011, and went on to win NORCECA continental titles in 2013 and 2015.[3]
In April 2015, Valjas and Broder won an FIVB World Tour medal, becoming the first Canadian female athletes to do so.[3]
In October 2016, she married John May, and adopted his surname.[5] In 2017, May started a new team with Taylor Pischke.[6]
References
- FIVB Profile
- Hossain, Asif (11 June 2016). "Three beach volleyball teams earn Olympic berths". www.olympic.ca. Canadian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- "Kristina Valjas". Official Canadian Olympic Team Website. 2016-07-19. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
- Toronto to Rio: Kristina Valjas hits the beach this week with hopes of an Olympic medal
- Bio
- CANADA’S TAYLOR PISCHKE OPTIMISTIC AFTER 0-3 START WITH NEW PARTNER