On the eve of the New Year, RIOU hosted its traditional International Shuffleboard Cup - already the sixth edition of the event.
The tournament served as a memorable culmination of the first academic semester, bringing together students, alumni, staff, and university partners in an informal setting.
The festive tone was set by RIOU Rector Lev Belousov, who acted as Ded Moroz (Father Frost, a Russian counterpart of Santa Claus). He addressed the students ahead of the competition, noting that while they have already completed half of their course, the second part will be no less exciting. Students will now focus on writing and defending their graduation papers, before they return to their home countries, regions, federations, and clubs — ready to use in practice the knowledge, professional networks, and friendships gained at RIOU. As Lev Belousov emphasized, knowledge is invaluable asset and a reliable foundation for career growth in the sports industry.
The shuffleboard tournament was marked by intense competition. In terms of national diversity, the event could rival major international tournaments — with representatives from 15 countries. Ten teams competed for the main trophy under a round-robin format. Participants were also welcomed by Alexander Silaev, head of the Krasnodar Krai Shuffleboard Federation and chief referee for the event.
The fierce sports battles strengthened team spirit and friendships among the participants. The climax came during the final frames, where the Angry Birds international team, including students of the Master of Sport Administration course, clinching a convincing victory, claiming the champion title and the University Cup.
Between the frames, the atmosphere was enlivened with New Year’s songs performed by RIOU students in a mini-concert.
Shuffleboard has a history of over 500 years, originating in England. Ninety-nine years ago, in 1924, the rules of the game were unified. The world capital of shuffleboard is St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. The first World Shuffleboard Championship was held in 1981. Today, the game is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.
