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 of make it by the preliminaries after which onto the semifinals? Solely time will inform, however we will at the very least predict a couple of groups who’ve a shot at successful 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?
Ladies’s Seaside Volleyball Match
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 awesome workforce with a number of potential, however I’m unsure 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’d 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 received 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 should be careful for as a result of she appears to be in all places and block all the pieces. Duda can be a implausible participant with massive swings and nice protection. This Brazilian duo is just not one to sleep on as a result of they may positively be within the operating to win a medal this yr.
Silver – Pavan/Humana-Paredes (CAN)
For the ultimate match within the ladies’s seaside volleyball competitors, I imagine it’s going to be between the Canadians and the People. 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 match 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 drive on the web. Melissa is small in dimension, however that doesn’t imply she will’t be a risk on this recreation. She’s capable of transfer round very well within the again courtroom and decide up a number of trick photographs and onerous hits. She’s additionally capable of place the ball and hit onerous when wanted when she’s attacking. I believe they may put up a tough combat however finally 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 with regards to match play, Alix and April could have the leg up on Pavan and Melissa due to how they’ve competed with one another previously.
April received a bronze medal within the final Olympics with associate, Kerri Walsh-Jennings, and is seeking to find yourself again on the rostrum this yr. April has the expertise and the power to get nice ups within the again row, whereas Alix has the peak at 6’5” to dominate on the web. This workforce has the entire parts to win a gold medal, and I believe in the event that they’re capable of carry out below the Olympic stress, they may come out on high.
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 return play in Qatar. The twosome began enjoying collectively for a yr in 2014, however cut up off to play with extra skilled gamers to study the sport higher. In 2018, they reunited and have been rising in reputation as they preserve rising by 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 talents 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 capable of let go and have some enjoyable, then they are going to be nicely on their method 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 superb probability at making it to the finals. With the mixture of Krasilnikov’s expertise and Stoyanovskiy’s energetic, youthful model of play, this pair will likely be tough to defeat. Stoyanovskiy is a beast on the sand and earned the title of youngest world champion again in 2019. Krasilnikov is a peaceful, collected presence on the courtroom that brings management and precision to the Russian’s recreation.
They’re tremendous constant and capable of learn the ball tremendous nicely. Their skill to position photographs and be in the appropriate place with regards to protection is one thing the opposite groups must be careful for as a result of it will possibly get them in bother. I don’t assume the Russians will finally win the gold over the Norwegians, however I do assume 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 awesome 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 look at. A few of their hits are so good that it appears to be like like they jumped off of a tough courtroom as an alternative 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 look at them play and combat their method 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 assume we missed a duo?
