Next generation of beach volleyball stars aim for glory

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Duda at full stretch at the Gstaad Major. Photocredit: Mihai Stetcu.

We might be engrossed in one of the most famous tournaments in beach volleyball here in Klagenfurt – but the rising stars who are sure to dominate the scene on the banks of the Wörthersee in years to come have a more important appointment this week: the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships.

The destination for the world’s best under-19 players is Larnaka in Cyprus, a venue which held the same event two years ago.

Over 100 rising stars from nations across the globe have entered this week’s tournament and the action gets under way today, running through until Monday.

Among those players who have skipped the A1 Major Klagenfurt in a bid for glory in Cyprus this week is Eduarda Santos Lisboa, aka Duda, a regular on the FIVB World Tour despite being just 17.

The talented teenage Brazilian has already become the youngest player to ever win gold on the World Tour and has already pocketed a gold medal at the Under-21 World Championships in Lucerne in May this year.

“Most of the best players in Brazil were U21 world champions before,” Duda told the FIVB earlier this year after winning in Switzerland “And it’s the only title I didn’t get yet. So now it was my turn. This was super important for me. This medal is definitely in my top three.” 

We’ll keep you posted on all the movers and shakers in Cyprus as the week progresses.

Good luck to all those involved – we’re looking forward to seeing you here in Klagenfurt in years to come!