The final of the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour (ABVT) has arrived on the Gold Coast as the country’s leading athletes converge to determine who will take the title.
With limited international event opportunities, the ABVT is forming a vital role for athletes in preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games, which are just over 130 days away.
Currently unbeaten on the ABVT reigning Commonwealth Games champions, Damien Schumann and Chris McHugh, who will be looking for a clean sweep.
The duo return to Coolangatta Gold beach, which McHugh said will always be a special place for them both.
“For Damo and myself, it was a great experience playing down here in Coolangatta for the Commonwealth Games. The gold medal is something that we will always hold dear to our hearts - that was such a great experience for both of us.
“The people of Coolangatta treated us like rockstars which was even better.
“This weekend is going to be a great tournament. The young boys Tom and Paul are still coming, and I know Max and Zac are frothing to win a semi to come back and have a chance for the title,” he said.
Olympians Nikki Laird and Becchara Palmer took the silver medal at the last round of ABVT after a thrilling three-set final that saw them edged out by fellow Olympians Mariafe Artacho Del Solar and Taliqua Clancy.
Palmer said they know if they want a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game they will need to work hard, with the level of competition ramping up across the summer.
“As the summer has gone on, the standard has only lifted for everybody. I think that’s really positive.
“We’ve been spending a lot of time trying to evolve our game and create a really competitive game that will take us to the World Tour and qualifying for Tokyo later in the year, so that’s our priority.
“And to be honest the more tough games that we get, the better. So the more we embrace that everyone is improving and getting better - we’re looking forward to playing everyone,” she said.
Catch all the action from the medal matches this Sunday 14 March on SBS - bronze medal matches on SBS On Demand from 1 pm AEDT and gold medal matches SBS 1 from 3 pm.
