France achieved a remarkable milestone as Elouan Chouikh and Joadel Gardoque secured gold at the Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event in Itapema, Brazil. This triumph marks just the second time a French team has won an Elite-level tournament, making it a historic moment for French beach volleyball.
In a commanding final showcase, Chouikh and Gardoque defeated Latvia’s seasoned duo Martins Plavins and Kristians Fokerots in straight sets (21-13, 21-19). Notably, Itapema was only their second Elite appearance, having debuted in October. The French duo finished with an impressive 5-1 record, underlining their rapid ascent in the global beach volleyball scene.
Journey to the Top
Formed just one year ago, Chouikh (23) and Gardoque (22) spent most of their 2025 season competing in the Challenge and Futures circuits. Their campaign highlights include:
- Victory at the Montpellier Futures in July
- Progression from Futures to the Elite level within a single season
- Gold in only their second Elite event
Such progress has positioned them as emerging contenders with a promising trajectory heading into the next season.
Brazil Takes Bronze
In the bronze medal match, Brazil’s Evandro Gonçalves and Arthur Lanci edged out their compatriots André Loyola and Renato Lima in a close contest (21-18, 21-17). Their performance capped off a robust season that included:
- Participation in five Elite events on home soil
- Victories in João Pessoa
- Silver in Brasília
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Elite16 season concluded with the 1xBet Itapema event, but the Beach Pro Tour continues next week with the Laginha Verde Futures in Cape Verde. For France, this gold is part of a standout year that saw five medals across various Pro Tour events and their first podium finish at a World Championship.
As the 2026 season approaches, France’s momentum could redefine the competitiveness of the global field and strengthen their presence among beach volleyball’s elite.
For more details, read the full article on Volleyball World.
