June 2023 Olympic Rankings, Jurmala Triumph: Humana-Paredes/Wilkerson’s Rise; Australian Surprise, Brazilian Domination

Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson seized gold at the Volleyball World Jurmala Challenge, propelling them from No. 14 to an impressive No. 9 in the Olympic beach volleyball rankings. Their stellar performance not only secured victory but also affirmed their rising prominence on the global stage, positioning them as formidable contenders in the quest for Olympic qualification.

In a remarkable turn of events, Australians Zachery Schubert and Thomas Hodges clinched their first gold medal as a team, catapulting them from No. 23 to an impressive No. 14 in the rankings. Their outstanding achievement underscores their growing potential and sets the stage for future success on the international circuit.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian men’s federation showcased its dominance at Jurmala, with three teams advancing to the semifinals. George Wanderley and Andre Loyola, Evandro Goncalves and Arthur Mariano, and Renato Lima and Vitor Felipe now occupy the top five spots in the rankings, mirroring the remarkable dominance demonstrated by the American women. Their collective performance reaffirms Brazil’s status as a powerhouse in beach volleyball, setting the stage for an intense battle for Olympic glory.

Men’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Rankings

(updated June 19 after Volleyball World Jurmala Challenge)

1. Anders Mol, Christian Sorum, NORWAY, 4600 (4)
2. David Ahman, Jonatan Hellvig, SWEDEN, 4280 (4)
3. Evandro Goncalves, Arthur Mariano, BRAZIL, 3960 (7)
4. Andre Loyola, George Wanderley, BRAZIL, 3620 (6)
5. Vitor Felipe, Renato Lima, BRAZIL, 3380 (6)
6. Nils Ehlers, Clemens Wickler, GERMANY, 3280 (4)
7. Adrian Gavira, Pablo Herrera, SPAIN, 3220 (5)
8. Michal Bryl, Bartosz Losiak, POLAND, 3100 (4)
9. Tri Bourne, Chaim Schalk, USA, 3060 (6) 
10. Theo Brunner, Trevor Crabb, USA, 3020 (6) 
11. Adrian Carambula, Alex Ranghieri, ITALY, 2980 (4)
12. Matthew Immers, Steven van de Velde, NETHERLANDS, 2900 (5)
13. Ondrej Perusic, David Schweiner, CZECH REPUBLIC, 2860 (3)
14. Thomas Hodges, Zachery Schubert, AUSTRALIA, 2840 (6)
15. Sam Cottafava, Paolo Nicolai, ITALY, 2820 (5)
16. Alex Brouwer, Robert Meeuwsen, NETHERLANDS, 2740 (4)
17. Moritz Pristauz, Robin Seidl, AUSTRIA, 2740 (6)
18. Julian Horl, Alex Horst, AUSTRIA, 2740 (6)
19. Paul Burnett, Chris McHugh, AUSTRALIA, 2400 (6)
20. Andy Benesh, Miles Partain, USA, 2280 (3)
21. Stefan Boermans, Yorick de Groot, NETHERLANDS, 2260 (3)
22. Esteban Grimalt, Marco Grimalt, CHILE, 2220 (4)
23. Daniele Lupo, Enrico Rossi, ITALY, 2200 (5)
24. Cherif Samba, Ahmed Tijan, QATAR, 2160 (3)

Women’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Rankings

(updated June 19 after Volleyball World Jurmala Challenge)

1. Kelly Cheng, Sara Hughes, USA, 4220 (5)
2. Kristen Nuss, Taryn Kloth, USA, 4120 (5)
3. Duda Lisboa, Ana Patricia Silva, BRAZIL, 4060 (4)
4. Mariafe Artacho, Taliqua Clancy, AUSTRALIA, 3700 (4)
5. Terese Cannon, Sarah Sponcil, USA, 3620 (5)
6. Esmee Bobner, Zoe Verge-Depre, SWITZERLAND, 3520 (7)
7. Victoria Lopes, Taina Silva, BRAZIL, 3420 (6)
8. Carolina Salgado, Barbara Seixas, BRAZIL, 3340 (5)
9. Melissa Humana-Paredes, Brandie Wilkerson, CANADA, 3320 (4)
10. Tina Graudina, Anastasija Samoilova, LATVIA, 3300 (5)
11. Talita Antunes, Thamela Coradelli, BRAZIL, 3260 (7)
12. Raisa Schoon, Katja Stam, NETHERLANDS, 3160 (4)
13. Andressa Cavalcanti, Vitoria De Souza, BRAZIL, 3040 (6)
14. Valentina Gottardi, Marta Menegatti, ITALY, 3020 (5)
15. Nina Brunner, Tanja Huberli, SWITZERLAND, 2760 (3)
16. Niina Ahtiainen, Taru Lahti, FINLAND, 2620 (6)
17. Betsi Flint, Julia Scoles, USA, 2580 (5)
18. Barbora Hermannova, Marie-Sara Stochlova, CZECH REPUBLIC, 2500 (4)
19. Miki Ishii, Sayaka Mizoe, JAPAN, 2500 (6)
20. Xinyi Xia, Chen Xue, CHINA, 2460 (4)
21. Hailey Harward, Kelley Kolinske, USA, 2360 (6)
22. Lezana Placette, Alexia Richard, FRANCE, 2300 (5)
23. Karla Borger, Sandra Ittlinger, GERMANY, 2280 (4)
24. Toni Rodriguez, Savvy Simo, USA, 2080 (5)