France’s beach volleyball scene celebrated a historic triumph as Elouan Chouikh-Barbez and Joadel Gardoque secured gold at the 2025 Itapema Challenge, marking their nation's first Elite-level Beach Pro Tour podium finish. Entering as the 16th seed, they stunned the competition with a powerful performance, culminating in a 2-0 (21-13, 21-19) victory over Latvia’s seasoned pair, Martins Plavins and Kristians Fokerots, in the final.
The Latvians had earlier stunned Brazil’s top-seeded duo, Evandro Oliveira and Arthur Mariano Lanci, in the semifinals. However, Chouikh and Gardoque's relentless drive and synergy on the sand proved unbeatable in the gold medal showdown.
Impact of Volleyball Empowerment in France
This victory underscores the transformative impact of the FIVB’s Volleyball Empowerment program, which has invested over USD 1 million in France. These resources have significantly fueled the fast-paced development of athletes like Chouikh and Gardoque, who were only in their second Elite-tier event.
Podium Results at the 2025 Itapema Challenge
- Gold: Elouan Chouikh-Barbez / Joadel Gardoque (France)
- Silver: Martins Plavins / Kristians Fokerots (Latvia)
- Bronze: Evandro Oliveira / Arthur Mariano Lanci (Brazil)
Brazil also showcased dominance, particularly in the women’s competition, where Carol Solberg and Rebecca Cavalcanti led a full-Brazilian sweep of the podium.
Significance of the Event
As the final Elite-tier event of the Beach Pro Tour 2025 season, the Itapema Challenge highlighted innovation, determination, and rising stars across 22 international federations. Hosting 32 teams in both men's and women's draws, it provided a critical platform for up-and-coming talent to shine on a global stage.
France’s gold medal signals a bold new chapter for the nation in beach volleyball, with Chouikh and Gardoque poised to challenge the sport’s traditional powerhouses in upcoming tournaments.
