Japanese beach volleyball pair Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami have clinched a place in the main draw of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 1xBet Itapema Elite16, marking a key milestone in their debut season as a team. Their straight-sets victory over Brazilian duo Carol Goerl and Josi Alves (21-10, 22-20) propelled them forward in the prestigious tournament held at Meia Praia Beach in Brazil.
The duo’s performance was particularly impressive considering the local crowd and the pressure of high-stakes qualification. Their success comes as part of their broader campaign feeding into the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship. They now enter a competitive pool phase alongside teams from Ukraine, the United States, and Brazil.
Main Draw Teams and Competition Format
Shiba and Murakami join a pool featuring the following teams:
- Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil (Ukraine)
- Piper Ferch and Teegan Van Gunst (USA)
- Verena Oliveira and Kyce Silva (Brazil)
Only three out of the four teams in each group will proceed to the elimination rounds, increasing the stakes for each pool match.
Qualified Teams Advancing
Alongside the Japanese pair, seven other women’s teams earned spots in the main draw during Wednesday’s qualifiers:
- Three teams from the United States
- Two teams from Brazil
- One team from Spain
- One team from Lithuania
The main draw matches begin on Thursday, with the tournament continuing through Sunday, culminating in the semifinals and medal matches. This event is part of the elite tier of the Beach Pro Tour's 2025 season, gathering top talent from around the world.
For more details, visit the official event page on Volleyball World.
