Swedish beach volleyball duo David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Bragdguldet, Sweden’s highest sports honor. This award, presented by Svenska Dagbladet, recognizes the most outstanding Swedish sports achievement of the year.
Historic Competitive Success
The honor comes after the pair's World Championship victory in Adelaide, where they met and defeated fellow Swedes Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson in an unprecedented all-Swedish final. This was a key victory coming shortly after their triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Career Milestones
With this win, Åhman and Hellvig have joined a rare class of athletes who hold both World and Olympic titles concurrently. Their rise began in 2018 with a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, and since then, they have added an impressive collection of accolades:
- 18 Beach Pro Tour medals, including 11 golds
- Back-to-back European Championship titles
- Peaked at No. 1 in the FIVB World Rankings (April 2024)
At ages 23 and 24, Åhman and Hellvig have demonstrated world-class dominance in their sport throughout recent seasons.
A Changing Landscape for Swedish Beach Volleyball
Their latest honor also marks a significant moment for the sport of beach volleyball in Sweden. The nation is experiencing a surge in recognition and talent, with both proven champions and emerging duos, like Nilsson and Andersson, making an impact on the international stage. Sweden is firmly establishing itself as a serious global competitor in the sport.
For more details, you can read the full article on the official FIVB website.
