Hans Hannibal and Nicolás Llambias have qualified to represent Uruguay at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, following an impressive season on the South American circuit. Their standout performances included gold medal finishes in Rancagua, Chile, and Santa Marta, Colombia, underlining Uruguay’s growing presence on the international volleyball stage.
This marks their debut as a dedicated team at a World Championship event. While both players previously appeared with different partners at Rome 2022 and served as reserves in Tlaxcala 2023, Adelaide 2025 will be their first major appearance as a unified team.
Empowerment Through Support
The pair’s progress has been bolstered by the FIVB Empowerment Programme, which has invested over $300,000 in Uruguayan beach volleyball from 2022–2025. This funding has provided access to:
- High-level coaching
- Physical therapy and recovery services
- Mental performance training
Such resources are essential for athletes aiming to perform on the world stage, and they have clearly paid dividends in Hannibal and Llambias' case.
Rising to the Challenge
In the opening round of competition, the Uruguayan duo will compete in Pool A, which features elite opposition, including:
- Norwegian Olympic and World Champions Anders Mol and Christian Sørum
- Two competitive Swiss teams
Despite the challenges, Hannibal and Llambias enter the draw with momentum and a drive to go beyond mere participation. Their ambitions are clear—they’re looking to make a significant impact on the world stage.
