George Wanderley and Saymon Barbosa of Brazil showcased an exceptional performance to seize the men's title at the 2025 Veracruz Challenge, part of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. Dominating every match, the Brazilian pair claimed the gold medal without dropping a single set, culminating in a decisive 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) win over the event’s top-seeded American team, Miles Evans and Chase Budinger.
Ranked third entering the tournament, George and Saymon elevated their game to a new level following a bronze-medal finish at the Alanya Challenge. Their synergy and power on the court overwhelmed their opponents, propelling them to their first career Beach Pro Tour gold as a team—a victory that sets the stage for a promising 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Evans and Budinger advanced to the final unbeaten, surrendering just one set in the earlier stages. While they fell short of gold, the silver medal marks their fourth podium on the Beach Pro Tour and their first since 2023, a testament to their continued strength among top North American duos.
Bronze Medal Battle
Switzerland’s Yves Haussener and Julian Friedli captured the bronze medal after a hard-fought 2-0 (23-21, 21-17) triumph over Italy’s Samuele Cottafava and Gianluca Dal Corso. Entering as the 19th-seeded team, the Swiss duo defied expectations, winning five out of seven matches. Notably, both of their losses came against the eventual champions, George and Saymon. Friedli excelled in the bronze match, leading all scorers with 27 points, including four blocks and two aces.
Semifinal Highlights
- George and Saymon defeated Haussener and Friedli 2-0 (21-15, 21-14)
- Evans and Budinger edged Cottafava and Dal Corso 2-1 (14-21, 21-14, 15-11)
The 2025 Veracruz Challenge featured a compelling mix of veteran teams and emerging talent, reinforcing the global development and increasing competitiveness of international beach volleyball.
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