Carol Salgado and Rebecca Cavalcanti, two of Brazil's top beach volleyball athletes, are preparing for the final stop of the 2025 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16. Taking place in Itapema, Brazil from December 3–7, this event is the athletes' last opportunity to secure a podium finish this season.
The dynamic duo comes into the tournament with strong credentials. Following their bronze medal win at the 2025 FIVB World Championship in Adelaide, they are looking for a triumphant end to a successful year. Competing on Brazilian sand has favored them before: they clinched gold in Rio de Janeiro, took silver in Brasília, and just missed another medal with a fourth-place finish in João Pessoa.
Current Standings and Stakes
With world ranking points in serious contention, the Itapema event could significantly impact the final leaderboard. Carol and Rebecca are currently tied for second in the global rankings with fellow Brazilians Thâmela Coradello and Victoria Lopes. Both teams sit at 8,000 points, trailing the U.S. pair Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss by a mere 200 points.
International Competition Lineup
The women's division will feature:
- Eight teams recently competing at the World Championship
- Strong contenders from Ukraine, Italy, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Lithuania
On the men’s side, Brazilian Olympians Evandro Gonçalves and Arthur Lanci lead the home effort. They’ll face stiff competition from top-ranked teams across Europe and South America.
Event Format
The tournament will follow a structured format:
- Qualifiers begin Wednesday
- Group stages and knockout rounds follow
- Semifinals and finals conclude the event on Sunday
The Itapema Elite16 event promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season—both a celebration of this year’s achievements and a critical lead-up to the Olympic year.
For more details, visit the official event page on Volleyball World.
