Gustavs Auzins and Kristians Fokerots of Latvia have etched their names into beach volleyball history with a flawless performance at the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships held in Puebla, Mexico. The dynamic duo clinched the men’s title by winning all seven matches in straight sets, showcasing their dominance and synergy on the sand court.

This victory is particularly significant as it marks their second world title, having previously won gold at the U19 level three years ago. Their achievement strengthens Latvia’s growing legacy in youth beach volleyball and places them as only the second Latvian pair to win this tournament, following the 2005 triumph by Martins Plavins and Aleksandrs Samoilovs.

Final Showdown: Latvia vs. Poland

In the tournament final, the Latvian pair displayed composure and strategic play to defeat Poland’s Szymon Beta and Artem Besarab in a straight-sets victory (21-19, 21-19). While the Polish team had to settle for silver, it marked their first-ever medal at a global volleyball event—a milestone for the nation in youth competitions.

Mexico Claims Bronze on Home Soil

Hosts Mexico had their moment of glory as Antonio Lares and Carlos Andres Ayala secured bronze after a solid win against Poland’s Pietraszek and Krzeminski, the defending U19 champions. The match ended decisively at 21-16, 21-13, bringing Mexico its third-ever top-three finish in this age category.

A Bright Future Ahead

The 2025 championship highlighted the ascent of emerging stars, most notably Auzins and Fokerots, who have now established themselves as elite young prospects. Their continued success could pave the way for future achievements in senior-level international beach volleyball.

To read the full article, visit the FIVB's official report.