In the historic city of Tlaxcala, a new chapter in international beach volleyball was written by the Pavelkova twins, Anna and Katerina, who captured their first Challenge-level gold medal at the Beach Pro Tour Tlaxcala Challenge 2026.
The two 20-year-old sisters from Czechia played with a lightness that belied the stakes. Anna and Katerina arrived at Tlaxcala with modest expectations but left with gold medals, a statement victory, and the unmistakable sense that their story is only just beginning.
Seeded 17th in the women’s Main Draw, the Pavelkova twins were not supposed to dominate the tournament held from 18 to 22 March. Yet over seven matches, they carved out a 6–1 record, losing only once to the top-seeded team, Claudia Scampoli and Giada Bianchi of Italy, in pool play. What followed was a run defined by resilience, joy, and a deep-rooted connection that only years of shared life—and shared dreams—can produce.
“We came without expectations,” Anna said, reflecting on their remarkable feat in Tlaxcala. “We were just excited to play internationally again and work with our national coach. When we won, it felt like pure happiness… and maybe a little surprise that we really did that.”
That sense of freedom became their edge. The turning point didn’t come early. It came late—under pressure, in the final. After dropping the first set to Lithuanian Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte, the twins found themselves in a familiar but daunting position. They had lost to the same opponents last year. History, it seemed, was leaning against them. But this time, something shifted.
“After we won the second set, that’s when I believed,” Katerina said. “That was the moment I felt we could actually win the gold medal.”
They did more than believe—they surged. With a decisive 15–11 third set, the Pavelkovas completed a comeback that captured the essence of their week: fearless, unburdened, and quietly relentless.
Earlier, in the semifinals, they had already signaled their intent with a straight-sets win (21–18, 25–23) over USA’s Geena Urango and Megan Rice. It was a match defined by composure in tight moments—something that has become a hallmark of their partnership.
Asked what made the difference in Tlaxcala, neither sister points to tactics or technique first. Instead, they talk about joy.
“We really had fun during the games,” Katerina explained. “We had no expectations and just enjoyed playing more and more matches as we kept winning.”
That mindset didn’t happen by accident. Credit, they insist, goes to their coach, Sebastian Menegozzo, who helped them embrace the moment rather than fear it. The Czech Volleyball Federation has been allocated USD 210,000 in FIVB Volleyball Empowerment coach support for their women’s beach volleyball teams and another USD 24,000 in national team coach development Knowledge Transfer programs. Their women’s pairs take advantage of Argentinean coach Menegozzo’s expertise.
Even the challenging conditions—altitude and heat—barely registered. Training in Texas while attending college in the USA had prepared them well. “Neither the warm weather nor the altitude made us feel any different,” Anna said.
In beach volleyball, chemistry is everything. As twins, Anna and Katerina bring a unique dynamic to the court—one built on years of shared experience, trust, and understanding.
“I think the advantage may be that we understand each other very well and we are so used to being with each other all the time, so the unique relationship between us can make our team stronger in tougher situations. However, I believe that there is almost no difference between being related as partners or not, since only hours and years of work and effort can make a good team, not a sister relationship,” Anna said.
Yet both are quick to dismiss the idea that being twins is some magical shortcut to success. There’s no telepathy, Katerina laughs—just years of shared experience. “Sometimes no words are needed. We just look at each other and know. But that comes from playing together for so long.”
Their connection shows up most clearly in small, human moments. Like in the Tlaxcala semifinal, when Anna made a mistake and felt her confidence dip. Katerina didn’t overcomplicate things. “She just told me to smile,” Anna recalled. “And it helped.”
Still, being sisters at the elite level isn’t without its challenges. Expectations can run higher, disagreements sharper. But they’ve learned to keep volleyball on the court.
“After tough matches, we sit down with our coach and talk everything through,” Anna said. “We try not to bring it into normal life.”
Katerina agrees: “We’re honest with each other, but we also know how to make peace quickly.”
If their partnership works so well, it’s partly because of their differences. Katerina is the emotional spark—quick to speak, quick to lift energy. Anna is the steadying force, projecting calm when tension rises. Together, they form a balance that’s difficult for opponents to disrupt.
“I think we’re managing disagreements very well. On one hand it can be tough because we’re honest with each other but on the other hand we know each other so well and have such a great relationship that our arguments don’t last for too long. We’re pretty good at talking through it and making peace fast again,” explained Katerina.
It’s a dynamic that has already carried them to impressive milestones: European Under-18 champions in 2022, European Under-22 champions in 2024—and now, Beach Pro Tour Challenge gold medalists on the world stage.
“There are definitely many more pros than cons in playing together with my sister. Only challenging thing that I can think of right now is that sometimes we have higher expectations from each other than we would have from someone else. But it still can be considered as an advantage because it pushes us forward,” noted Katerina.
For all the statistics—the 6–1 record, the comeback final, the upset wins—the significance of Tlaxcala goes deeper. They not only claimed gold but also announced themselves as a team to watch on the Beach Pro Tour this season.
“It means everything! I am so so grateful that we had the opportunity to play in Mexico and that we managed to win! I wouldn’t choose anyone else than my twin to play with. Anna is like my best friend, and having her as my partner is just awesome. This victory is like a boost of motivation and a little confidence for our future,” asserted Katerina matter-of-factly.
In a sport where partnerships can change with a single season, the Pavelkova twins offer something rare: continuity, trust, and a shared journey that stretches far beyond the court. And if their triumph in Tlaxcala proved anything, it’s that their ceiling is still rising.
