American gold rush in China

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The American flag was flying highest in Fuzhou this weekend. Photo credit: Andreas Langreiter.

Poreč beware! The Americans are coming!

There’s only two months until our first Swatch Major Series stop in Croatia and we can barely control our excitement as we count down to the beginning of our super summer of top-class beach volleyball action.

But if the last week is anything to go by then we better get ready to learn the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner after American domination in China.

The stars and stripes were flickering high in the sky after not one but two gold medals at the Fuzhou Open – the final part of the tour in China this year.

On Saturday top seeds Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena toppled 2014 champions Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo (ITA) in straight sets to secure their second gold medal after winning the Maceio Open.

And 24 hours later the Americans were celebrating a second gold as the irrepressible Kerri Walsh Jennings, fresh from winning her 600th career match, and April Ross stormed to a 2-0 win against Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude (GER).

Walsh Jennings and Ross have had a medal hanging gloriously around their necks at every tournament they have played this year as their medal collection continues to grow. You better check the weight allowance in your suitcases girls!

In the bronze medal matches, there was bitter-sweet success for Swiss team Joana Heidrich and Nadine Zumkehr as they secured a podium finish but only following an injury to fellow countrywoman Anouk Vergé-Dépré.

For the men, there was another medal for Spaniards Pablo Herrera and Adrian Gavira just seven days after they claimed gold at the Xiamen Open. The in-form duo edged a thrilling bronze-medal clash against Latvians Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins that went the distance.

After a fortnight in China attention turns to the Fortaleza Open in Brazil and we’ll have our preview of the week’s play in South America on our website later this week so stay tuned!

If that’s not enough, why not check out one (or all!) of our social media channels? Go on, get involved – it’s sure to put a smile on your face!