Because the sand begins to warmth up at Tokyo 2020, so does the competitors. With seaside legends coming face-to-face with Olympic newbys, the potential winners begin to emerge.
However who will be capable to make it via the preliminaries after which onto the semifinals? Solely time will inform, however we will at the very least predict just a few groups who’ve a shot at profitable a medal this yr.
So who do we predict will win the gold, silver and bronze medals within the seaside volleyball competitors at this yr’s Olympic Video games?
Girls’s Seaside Volleyball Event
Bronze – Agatha/Duda (BRA)
Within the Provisional Olympic Rankings on FIVB’s web site, this brazilian duo is in third place. I believe they’re an important workforce with a number of potential, however I’m undecided their connection is sort of there but as a workforce. In the event that they keep collectively for an additional Olympic cycle, I believe they might be the workforce to beat. But, with how good the groups are this yr, I believe Brazil should accept a bronze medal.
Agatha has the Olympic expertise that may serve her and Duda nicely within the preliminaries and onto the extra aggressive matches. She gained a silver medal final yr, and I can solely think about that she will likely be chasing the gold medal this yr. Agatha’s presence on the web can be one thing the opposite groups need to be careful for as a result of she appears to be all over the place and block every part. Duda can be a unbelievable participant with large swings and nice protection. This Brazilian duo just isn’t one to sleep on as a result of they may undoubtedly be within the working to win a medal this yr.
Silver – Pavan/Humana-Paredes (CAN)
For the ultimate match within the girls’s seaside volleyball competitors, I imagine it’s going to be between the Canadians and the Individuals. I’m placing Pavan and Melissa within the second place place as a result of I believe they’re expert, however historical past has proven us that the USA duo of Alix and April can pull out a win over the Canadians within the event setting.
Pavan has the years of expertise behind her and peak to assist her in every match. She’s not solely tall, however fast too and is a power on the web. Melissa is small in measurement, however that doesn’t imply she will be able to’t be a menace on this recreation. She’s in a position to transfer round rather well within the again courtroom and decide up a lot of trick photographs and laborious hits. She’s additionally in a position to place the ball and hit laborious when wanted when she’s attacking. I believe they may put up a tough struggle however in the end find yourself with a silver medal.
Gold – Klineman/Ross (USA)
Like I mentioned above, Alix and April have confirmed themselves to be a formidable opponent on the sand after defeating Pavan and Melissa in two 4-star seaside tournaments, Doha and Sochi. I believe in relation to event play, Alix and April may have the leg up on Pavan and Melissa due to how they’ve competed with one another prior to now.
April gained a bronze medal within the final Olympics with companion, Kerri Walsh-Jennings, and is seeking to find yourself again on the rostrum this yr. April has the expertise and the flexibility to get nice ups within the again row, whereas Alix has the peak at 6’5” to dominate on the web. This workforce has all the elements to win a gold medal, and I believe in the event that they’re in a position to carry out underneath the Olympic strain, they may come out on high.
Males’s Seaside Volleyball Event
Bronze – Cherif/Ahmed (QAT)
Not solely can these guys play, however their story can be one to admire. Each males grew up in Africa, Cherif in Senegal and Ahmed in Gambia, and have been recruited by brokers to come back play in Qatar. The twosome began enjoying collectively for a yr in 2014, however cut up off to play with extra skilled gamers to be taught the sport higher. In 2018, they reunited and have been rising in recognition as they maintain rising via the seaside rankings. They’re within the No. 3 spot within the FIVB Provisional Olympic Rankings as they head into the 2020 Olympic Video games in Tokyo.
I’d like to see this duo find yourself on the rostrum as a result of the nation of Qatar has but to win a medal within the males’s seaside volleyball competitors on the Olympics. They’ve the abilities to do it too. They beat out the legendary USA workforce of Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena for a bronze medal at a 4-star seaside occasion in Doha this yr. In the event that they’re in a position to let go and have some enjoyable, then they are going to be nicely on their solution to medaling at this yr’s Olympic Video games.
Silver – Krasilnikov/Stoyanovskiy (ROC)
This Russian duo is one to be careful for and I believe they’ve a great probability at making it to the finals. With the mixture of Krasilnikov’s expertise and Stoyanovskiy’s energetic, youthful type of play, this pair will likely be troublesome to defeat. Stoyanovskiy is a beast on the sand and earned the title of youngest world champion again in 2019. Krasilnikov is a relaxed, collected presence on the courtroom that brings management and precision to the Russian’s recreation.
They’re tremendous constant and in a position to learn the ball tremendous nicely. Their skill to put photographs and be in the proper place in relation to protection is one thing the opposite groups have to be careful for as a result of it may well get them in hassle. I don’t suppose the Russians will in the end win the gold over the Norwegians, however I do suppose they may win a silver medal on this yr’s Olympic Video games.
Gold – Mol A./Sorum C. (NOR)
This may be such an enormous win for Norway, as a result of their nation hasn’t even been within the high 5 for seaside volleyball but, and this yr, they’re in an important place to win. I believe Norway can pull out this win as a result of each Mol and Sorum are unbelievable seaside gamers and are a number of enjoyable to observe. A few of their hits are so good that it seems to be like they jumped off of a tough courtroom as a substitute of deep sand, and Mol’s skill to leap set in addition to assault on the web is a lethal mixture.
I believe they not solely have the workforce chemistry and expertise set to win, however additionally they have the motivation to win. They’re the one workforce from Norway enjoying within the seaside competitors, so their complete nation is cheering them on. I believe Mol and Sorum even have that drive to win as a result of although they sit on the high of the leaderboard, they’re nonetheless checked out because the underdogs due to Norway’s historical past, or lack thereof, in seaside volleyball.
I believe will probably be tremendous enjoyable to observe them play and struggle their solution to the ultimate match, and hopefully, safe Norway’s first-ever medal within the seaside volleyball competitors on the Olympics.
Who’re your picks for the rostrum at this yr’s Olympic Video games? Do you suppose we missed a duo?
