Road to Paris 2024 – Resurgence in India: Goa Challenge Sparks Redemption for Struggling Teams
Amidst the post-World Championships lull, the Volleyball World Goa Challenge breathed new life into teams desperately seeking redemption. In a thrilling display of determination and skill, two gold-medal-winning pairs emerged triumphant in India, signaling a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes.
Anouk Verge-Depre and Joana Mader, along with Robin Seidl and Moritz Pristauz, delivered their best performances of the season, seizing the spotlight with well-deserved victories. For Verge-Depre and Mader, the triumph marked their first medal in 18 events, providing a significant boost to the Swiss Olympic race, which hangs in the balance amidst fierce competition.
On the American front, Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk showcased their resilience with a commendable fifth-place finish, their best since the Espinho Challenge in July. While they are yet to secure a medal in 2023, their recent string of events, including early exits and disappointing results, makes their top-ten finish a welcome positive. Despite the challenges, their determined spirit and unwavering dedication continue to drive them forward.
Men’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Rankings
(updated October 23 after the Goa Challenge)
- Anders Mol, Christian Sorum, NORWAY, 9460 (9)
- Sam Cottafava, Paolo Nicolai, ITALY, 7740 (12)
- Nils Ehlers, Clemens Wickler, GERMANY, 7740 (10)
- David Ahman, Jonatan Hellvig, SWEDEN, 7720 (7)
- Adrian Gavira, Pablo Herrera, SPAIN, 7700 (12)
- Andre Loyola, George Wanderley, BRAZIL, 7640 (12)
- Evandro Goncalves, Arthur Mariano, BRAZIL, 7380 (12)
- Alex Brouwer, Robert Meeuwsen, NETHERLANDS, 6960 (10)
- Adrian Carambula, Alex Ranghieri, ITALY, 6920 (10)
- Andy Benesh, Miles Partain, USA, 6900 (8)
- Julian Horl, Alex Horst, AUSTRIA, 6560 (12)
- Vitor Felipe, Renato Lima, BRAZIL, 6280 (12)
- Ondrej Perusic, David Schweiner, Czech Republic, 6260 (6)
- Thomas Hodges, Zachery Schubert, AUSTRALIA, 6260 (12)
- Michal Bryl, Bartosz Losiak, POLAND, 5880 (7)
- Theo Brunner, Trevor Crabb, USA, 5700 (10)
- Cherif Samba, Ahmed Tijan, QATAR, 5680 (8)
- Matthew Immers, Steven van de Velde, NETHERLANDS, 5680 (11)
- Esteban Grimalt, Marco Grimalt, CHILE, 5640 (10)
- Tri Bourne, Chaim Schalk, USA, 5560 (12)
- Paul Burnett, Chris McHugh, AUSTRALIA, 5460 (12)
- Pedro Solberg, Guto Carvalhaes, BRAZIL, 5280 (8)
- Moritz Pristauz, Robin Seidl, AUSTRIA, 4820 (12)
- Daniele Lupo, Enrico Rossi, ITALY, 4560 (11)
Women’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Rankings
(updated October 16 after the Volleyball World Goa Challenge)
- Duda Lisboa, Ana Patricia Silva, BRAZIL, 9860 (9)
- Kristen Nuss, Taryn Kloth, USA, 9360 (10)
- Kelly Cheng, Sara Hughes, USA, 9040 (10)
- Carolina Salgado, Barbara Seixas, BRAZIL, 8940 (12)
- Melissa Humana-Paredes, Brandie Wilkerson, CANADA, 7760 (9)
- Raisa Schoon, Katja Stam, NETHERLANDS, 7480 (10)
- Valentina Gottardi, Marta Menegatti, ITALY, 7440 (11)
- Victoria Lopes, Taina Silva, BRAZIL, 7160 (12)
- Mariafe Artacho, Taliqua Clancy, AUSTRALIA, 6780 (8)
- Xinyi Xia, Chen Xue, CHINA, 6740 (10)
- Betsi Flint, Julia Scoles, USA, 6740 (11)
- Nina Brunner, Tanja Huberli, SWITZERLAND, 6340 (8)
- Esmee Bobner, Zoe Verge-Depre, SWITZERLAND, 6640 (12)
- Svenja Muller, Cinja Tillman, GERMANY, 6140 (9)
- Tina Graudina, Anastasija Samoilova, LATVIA, 6100 (10)
- Anouk Verge-Depre, Joana Mader, SWITZERLAND, 5720 (10)
- Andressa Cavalcanti, Vitoria De Souza, BRAZIL, 5640 (11)
- Niina Ahtiainen, Taru Lahti, FINLAND, 5580 (12)
- Daniela Alvarez, Tania Moreno, SPAIN, 5460 (11)
- Lezana Placette, Alexia Richard, FRANCE, 5420 (11)
- Agatha, Rebecca, BRAZIL, 5320 (9)
- Barbora Hermannova, Marie-Sara Stochlova, CZECH REPUBLIC, 5220 (11)
- Jagoda Gruszczynska, Ola Wachowicz, POLAND, 4920 (11)
- Karla Borger, Sandra Ittlinger, GERMANY, 4860 (11)
