The Olympic champions won their third medal in three events of the Brazilian Tour in 2018

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Alison and Bruno have won two golds and one silver in the last three events of the Brazilian Tour (Photocredit: CBV)

Olympic champions Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt didn’t get a medal in the 2018 Fort Lauderdale Major, but climbing the podium hasn’t been an issue for the duo in their home soil. This weekend, the veterans won the sixth stop of the Brazilian Tour, in Maceio, to get their third consecutive medal in the National event.

Alison and Bruno, who are looking forward to bounce back from a slow 2017 season, defeated Pedro Salgado and George Wanderley, one of the surprises of the Fort Lauderdale Major, in straights sets (21-11, 21-13) to claim gold in Maceio. The team had won gold in Fortaleza, in January, and silver in João Pessoa, last month.

“We always to do our best and winning is a consequence of that,” Alison said. “We had some struggles, especially because Bruno played with his right elbow injured, but our strategy worked and he did a great job, keeping his side out very consistent. We were very focused and that helped too.”

World champions Evandro Goncalves and André Loyola finished third after Guto Carvalhaes injured his left ankle in the semifinals and had to forfeit the bronze medal match with partner Vitor Felipe.

Ana Patrícia and Rebecca get their first victory

Rebecca and Ana Patrícia have topped the podium in the National Tour for the first time (Photocredit: CBV)

It the women’s tournament, it was a special moment for Ana Patrícia Ramos and Rebecca Silva, who won their first National Tour gold medal as a team. It was also Ana Patrícia’s first-ever gold, something she will always remember.

“It’s hard to process all of this, but it’s a dream coming true,” the 19-year-old 2014 Youth Olympic champion commented. “I’ve been playing beach volleyball for the last four year and I’ve the opportunity to play against such great athletes. Moments like this make me believe it’s all worth it. I’ve accomplished this goal and now I’m going for the next ones.”

In the gold medal match, a rematch of a meeting that happened in the Fort Lauderdale Major country-quota, Ana Patrícia and Rebecca defeated Lili Maestrini and Josi Alves 22-20, 21-19.

The leaders of the rankings, Carol Solberg and Maria Elisa Antonelli finished third after they defeated Agatha Bednarczuk and Duda Lisboa 21-19, 19-21, 15-9.

The seventh and last event of the Brazilian Tour will happen in Aracaju, from April 4-8. Evandro and André top the men’s rankings while Maria Antonelli/Carol and Agatha/Duda share the lead among the women.