Brazil to host stages of Women's Beach Volleyball World Circuit
The Women's Beach Volley World Circuit is coming to Brazil, where the next three stages will be played, all in April: Itapema Challenge, in Santa Catarina state (6-9), Saquarema Challenge, in Rio de Janeiro state (13-16), and Uberlândia Elite 16, in Minas Gerais state (26-30).
The 2023 World Circuit is very important for beach volleyball athletes because winning the competition is one of the ways to qualify for the next edition of the Olympic Games, to be held in 2024 in Paris (France).
Current world champions Duda and Ana Patrícia won the silver medal in the Tepic stage of the circuit (Mexico) played on Sunday (Mar. 26). The Brazilians lost 2 sets to 1 to Americans Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng.
"We were beaten in the tie-break by the North Americans. Of course, we wanted the victory, but we started the season on the podium anyway," Ana Patrícia told the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV). "We are very happy with one more final in such a hotly contested stage. It is always a great happiness to stand on the podium representing Brazil," Duda said.
Despite the setback in the decision of the Tepic stage, Duda and Ana Patrícia remain in the leadership of the world ranking of the competition, in which another team from Brazil, formed by Carol and Barbara, appears in third position. Raisa Schoon and Katja Stam, from the Netherlands, are in second place.
