Latvia has firmly established itself as a rising force in international beach volleyball, defying expectations with a remarkable championship victory. With a population of under two million, the Baltic nation celebrated a major milestone when Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova clinched Latvia’s first-ever senior world title at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025.
This historic achievement followed consistent top-tier performances. In 2024 alone, the Latvian duo:
- Reached the podium at five of nine FIVB Beach Pro Tour events
- Captured two gold medals
- Finished fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Their efforts propelled them to multiple periods at the top of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Ranking.
A significant contributor to Latvia’s beach volleyball rise is the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Program. The Latvian Volleyball Federation benefited greatly from this initiative, receiving:
- $210,000 in coaching support
- $5,500 for equipment
Key to their success is coach Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez, also known as “Denny”. His international expertise has fueled the development and competitive success of Graudina and Samoilova.
On the men’s side, Latvia’s progress is equally impressive. In 2025, Gustavs Auzins and Kristians Fokerots dominated the FIVB U21 Men’s World Championship after a silver-medal finish at the U19 level. Additionally, Fokerots teamed up with Olympic bronze medalist Martins Plavins to win a EuroBeachVolley title and reach the podium at the Rio de Janeiro Elite16 in 2024, propelling them to fifth in the global rankings.
Latvia’s ascent in the sport reflects a powerful combination of strategic investment, elite coaching, and collaborative partnerships. Their success demonstrates that with the right support, even smaller nations can thrive on the global sports stage.
For more information, read the full story on the FIVB official website.
