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| Stein Metzger |
"This is all about childhood dreams," said Metzger, a Punahou graduate who will partner with Dax Holdren in beach volleyball. "This is the goal when you're growing up.
"You're not thinking about winning first prize and $40,000 at the World Championships. You're thinking Olympics and gold medal. There is something really special about that. It's about pitting yourself against the best countries, and the camaraderie."
That he is in Athens with Holdren offers a snapshot of the quirky camaraderie of the professional beach tour.
| Men's beach volleyball
At Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex Friday — Matches at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 — Matches at 1:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 — Matches at 1:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 20-21 — Round of 16 (1:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m.) Sunday, Aug. 22 — Quarterfinals (1:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m.) Monday, Aug. 23 — Semifinals (6 a.m., 7 a.m.) Wednesday, Aug. 25 — Bronze Medal, 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25 — Gold Medal, 8 a.m. |
They were successful on the beach, and volatile, both bringing strong-willed personalities to the two-year partnership. They split last August, Wong going with 2000 gold medalist Eric Fonoimoana and Metzger teaming with Holdren — Fonoimoana's former partner.
Metzger and Holdren are not your typical ball control/ basher-blocker beach couple. They have brought a different look, with an emphasis on ballhandling — Metzger was a setter indoors — and a quick, unorthodox offense.
"We've brought the indoor game to the beach," Metzger explained. "We have to get sneaky out there."
In their second international event together, Holdren and Metzger groveled their way into the final of the the World Championship, falling to Brazil's Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos — the Olympic top seeds.
After watching Fonoimoana and Dain Blanton win the gold in Sydney, Metzger is optimistic. He knows the level of play at the Games is typically lower than at most international events due to the pressure.
Metzger figures he has seen it all. He sold his car to finance his rookie year, taking the bus to the beach to train from his rented room in a garage. He worked in construction and bartending to make ends meet.
He has traveled — and, in his off time, surfed — the world in search of the perfect partner and high-stakes game. Now that he has found it, he is ready.
"I know Dax and I are capable of playing at the highest level," Metzger said. "It's very competitive and any team can beat any other. With those kind of nerves, it's a crap shoot."
Metzger's gameplan is to nullify the nerves by remaining calm in all the Olympic confusion, including security concerns. It is a philosophy he has used successfully in life, for reasons more critical than volleyball.
Metzger was born with a hole between his ventricles. He had successful heart surgery at age 3. As a junior at Punahou, a doctor told him his condition made it too dangerous to continue with volleyball. Metzger got another opinion from a heart specialist, who told him the risk was low.
With all that, his perception of the world has always been different.
"The thought crosses everybody's mind that something could happen at the Olympics," Metzger said. "I've lived with risk my whole life. Doctors tell me I could die right there on the court. It's a risk I want to take. It's what I love to do."
Nik Berger
Former Rainbow Nik Berger represents Austria in beach volleyball for the second straight Olympiad. His hopes might rest on his partner's left knee.
Clemens Doppler suffered a torn ligament and bruise during Grand Slam competition last month. Doctors did not operate and he has been undergoing intensive physical therapy.
Berger, whose education at Manoa included learning how to say "I love you" in 10 languages, was team captain of Austria's national indoor team three years before taking to the beach.
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