Latvia has firmly established itself as a global contender in beach volleyball, highlighted by an historic win at the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship. Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova made headlines by becoming the first Latvians—male or female—to capture a senior world title, impressively conceding just one set during the entire tournament.
This remarkable achievement is a reflection of Latvia’s sustained rise in the sport. From junior competitions to the senior world stage, Latvian beach volleyball has grown stronger each year. Graudina and Samoilova’s consistent performances, including multiple podium finishes on the Beach Pro Tour and a fifth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, helped catapult Latvia to the top of the FIVB rankings at several points in 2024.
The country’s advancement has been significantly boosted by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, which provided over $210,000 to support national initiatives in coaching, equipment, and training development.
Under the guidance of coach Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez—known as Denny—the national team has leveraged this assistance to enhance their preparation processes and training quality.
Latvia’s Broader Success in Beach Volleyball
- Gustavs Auzins and Kristians Fokerots won the U21 World Championship title in 2025.
- Matiss Salkovskis and Karlis Jaundzeikars took silver at the U19 World Championship in 2024.
- Kristians Fokerots also teamed with Olympic medalist Martins Plavins to win gold at the EuroBeachVolley and bronze at the Rio Elite16.
These accomplishments helped elevate Latvia to as high as fifth place in the global rankings, showcasing the strength of its men's program alongside the achievements of the women’s team.
Looking Ahead
Latvia continues to prove that small nations can make a big impact in international competition. Through strategic investments, robust coaching, and emerging talent, Latvia is expected to remain a serious contender for future world titles and Olympic medals in beach volleyball.
To learn more about Latvia’s rise, visit the official article on the FIVB website.
