FIVB President attends highly successful Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Uberlandia.

FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° attended the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Uberlandia, Brazil, and also visited the Praia Clube, a 300,000m2 social and sports association based in Minas Gerais and founded in 1935.

The Elite 16 event was co-organised by the South American Volleyball Confederation (CSV) and Praia Clube. It was an extremely successful tournament for Brazil’s men’s and women’s teams who won five out of six medals on offer.

Un ORO más para la dupla local del @praiaclube Duda/ Ana Patricia. Ellas lograron el titulo del Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 al vencer Andressa/Vitoria 3-2 (21/17, 27/29, 15/11). FELICITACIONES! pic.twitter.com/4VoPoxHrbD

In the women’s event, Brazil’s Duda and Ana Patricia claimed gold on home soil by defeating compatriots Andressa Cavalcanti and Vitoria Rodrigues in three sets (21-17, 27-29, 15-11). Veterans Barbara Seixas and Carol Salgado took bronze to complete the first podium sweep at an Elite16 level by a single country.

ORO para George/Andre que vencio la gran final ante Pedro Solberg/Arthur en el Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 en @praiaclube sus compatriotas George Andre cerraron 3-2 (28/30, 21/16 y 15/11) y aseguraron el título del torneo mundial de la FIVB pic.twitter.com/RlaFw8iK5J

In the men’s event, Brazil’s Andre Loyola and George Wanderley overcame their fellow Brazilians and qualifiers Pedro Solberg and Arthur Lanci in a thrilling three-set (28-30, 21-15, 15-11) battle to claim gold in front of their home fans for a third-straight time. Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sørum won bronze to complete the podium in Uberlandia.

The crowd warmly welcomed the FIVB President in Uberlandia

The FIVB President also had the opportunity to visit the Praia Clube’s world-class facilities. He was accompanied by Praia Clube President Carlos Augusto Ribeiro Ferreira Braga, Minas Gerais Volleyball Federation President Tomás Mendes, CSV President Marco Tullio Teixeira and Brazilian volleyball legend Gilberto ‘Giba’ Amauri de Godoy Filho, among others.

The FIVB President visited the facilities of the Praia Clube

It was the first time that the city of Uberlandia, located just over 400 km south of Brasilia, has hosted an international beach volleyball event. Uberlandia also staged the South American Tour Finals in May 2022. Brazil, however, has already welcomed a Beach Pro Tour event this year, with Itapema welcoming a Challenge tournament back in April.