Larissa/Talita and Ricardo/Andre win gold on home sand

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Ricardo and Andre celebrate with champagne! Photocredit: FIVB

The season might be over for the majority of the beach stars in the wake of the tremendous Swatch World Tour Finals in Toronto but for the teams of Brazil the action is still alive and kicking in South America.

Over the weekend the first stop on the Brazilian tour got under way and some familiar faces got themselves to the top of the podium at Campo Grande.

In the women’s tournament, last year’s Swatch World Tour Finals champs Larissa/Talita bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on a medal at the Olympics by scooping gold with a commanding straight sets victory over Val/Renata at Nations Park.

The tournament was the first of nine events of the national Brazilian tour, fpur more of which take place this year before the final four take place in the first three months of 2017.

And the competition certainly ranks high in Larissa’s thoughts as she paid tribute to her teammate and her family.

“I am very happy to have formed this partnership with Talita and knowing her family,” she said. “I saw here what wonderful people they are which helps explain Talita’s success. Talita is the greatest champion here in this state and it was an honor to play here with her and see how this audience loves beach volleyball.”

Meanwhile legendary Ricardo was celebrating with champagne as he and partner Andre stormed to a 2-0 win in the final of the men’s competition against Alvaro/Saymon.

There is a 19-year age difference between the 41-year-old 2004 Olympic champ and his 22-year-old teammate who Ricardo described as a “monster” all week!

“Andre is a young player and is developing well,” said the veteran of the sand. “At my age the important thing is to pass on my experience to him and show him how to be a winner.”

And it seems some of that magic is rubbing off on his up-and-coming partner.

Just two weeks after claiming silver in a fantastic final against Alison/Bruno in Toronto, Pedro Solberg and Evandro picked up bronze as their excellent season continued.

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