Stare Jablonki, Poland, July 7, 2013 – Alvaro Filho may have been unable to finish the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Mazury 2013 by landing gold, but he is confident he is on the right track to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games after winning silver alongside Ricardo Santos.
The Brazilian pair were beaten in the gold medal match by surprise Dutch duo Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen, but it has already been a successful first season for the 22-year-old, alongside the 38-year-old Ricardo.
“He’s taught me so much on and off the court,” Alvaro said. “He is a friend away from the court and on the court he is a warrior. He has shown me how to motivate myself and how to think about the game.
“Playing in Rio for me is a dream and for all the Brazilians. We all want to win a medal there and to play in an Olympic Games in Brazil. It will be a very great Olympic Games, you wait and see.”
Ricardo has now become the most decorated player in World Championships history with four medals; one gold, two silvers and a bronze. He also has the full set of Olympic medals, but has no intention of slowing down any time soon.
“I’m still motivated and still have the energy,” he said. “I love this tournament and Alvaro keeps me motivated. I’ll keep going while I can still win medals.”
The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Mazury 2013 is the ninth edition of the tournament. It began on July 1 with the first round of matches in women’s pool play. The men began a day later and the tournament concludes on Sunday with the men’s semifinals at 12.00 and 13.00, the bronze medal match at 17.00 and gold medal match at 18.00, local time.