The 2025 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Cholula, Puebla showcased the dominance of Latvian and American teams, as both nations captured gold in the men’s and women’s competitions respectively—without conceding a single match.
Latvia Triumphs in Men’s Competition
Latvia's team of Gustavs Auzins and Kristians Fokerots, seeded third, delivered an unbeaten performance. They secured their title with a 2-0 victory (21-19, 21-19) against Poland’s Szymon Beta and Artem Besarab in the final.
This marks the duo’s second global youth championship after their win at the U19 level in 2022, demonstrating a consistent rise through the ranks of international beach volleyball.
American Duo Defy the Odds
In the women’s tournament, the United States' Sally Perez and Avery Jackson delivered an incredible performance. Starting from the qualification rounds and seeded 30th in the main draw, they overcame the odds by winning nine matches.
They claimed gold in an all-American final, defeating compatriots Zoey Henson and Sarah Wood with a solid 2-0 scoreline (25-23, 21-15).
Bronze Medal Winners
- Men’s Bronze: Mexico’s Antonio Lares and Carlos Andres Ayala
- Women’s Bronze: Brazil’s Marcela Barbosa and Maria Clara
Both bronze-medal teams began their journey in the qualifiers, shining through a highly competitive field.
A Global Showcase of Talent
With participation from 46 men’s teams and 40 women’s teams representing 47 nations, this year's championship emphasized the expanding global reach and depth of talent in U21 beach volleyball. The event offered an exciting preview of the sport’s promising future.
For full details, visit the official FIVB article here.
