Latvia’s Anastasija Samoilova arrived in Adelaide for the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship with heartbreak from the last three appearances at the global competition. Thrice, in the 2019, 2022 and 2023 editions, Anastasija and her long-term partner Tīna Graudiņa had been knocked out in the Round of 16.
Medals at major international competitions proved elusive for Tina & Anastasija who had also come agonizingly close to the podium in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where they finished fourth, before exiting the Paris 2024 edition at the quarterfinals stage.
Their pedigree as a pair was however never in doubt as they had won the European Championship twice (2019 and 2022). And in the 2025 season Tina & Anastasija showed world-class form, winning silver medals at the Beach Pro Tour Elite16 events in Gstaad and Ostrava. Tina & Anastasija arrived in Adelaide as the fifth seeds but defied all odds to leave with gold medals on their necks. It was not only Latvia’s first-ever World Championship title, but also the Central European country’s first-ever World Championship podium in either gender.
“It means a lot for me. I had been told by so many coaches and many people that I’m not enough, and at this World Championship I just feel like I allowed myself to win and prove to myself that I am enough, and I am among the best in the world,” Anastasija told FIVB.com.
“We always knew that we are a great team and we can fight for a World Championship medal especially in the last two years. Being among the top five in the World Rankings means that we can fight for the medals and at this World Championship we did and it’s just amazing,” she added.
Latvia’s Tīna Graudiņa (left) and Anastasija Samoilova celebrate after winning the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship title in Adelaide, Australia.
Their historic gold medal feat has sparked a lot of media attention back home in Latvia. Anastasija is optimistic that this will be a turning point for beach volleyball in Latvia, a shining beneficiary of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme.
Through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme, the Volleyball Federation of Latvia (LVF) has been allocated USD 168,000 in Coach Support to enhance the technical and tactical growth of the beach volleyball national teams. Veteran coach Genadijs Samoilovs of Latvia oversees the men’s team, while Spain’s Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez guides the women’s squad.
“Beach volleyball was one of priority sports in Latvia for many years already since our men’s team (Mārtiņš Pļaviņš & Jānis Šmēdiņš) won bronze medal in the Olympic Games London 2012. I hope now that after the win at the World Championship, we will see many girls and boys joining beach volleyball, enjoying our beautiful sport and also post good results at some junior and senior championships in the future. Overall, I hope that so many Latvian people saw us on the beach volleyball court, and we motivated them to be more active, practice sports regularly and of course to cheer for other athletes from Latvia,” said Anastasija.
Latvia fans cheer on Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasija Samoilova from the stands during the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship title in Adelaide, Australia.
Since 2013, Tina & Anastasija have played together and barely taken a break from the sport. They have worked their way up starting with junior competitions, the Beach Pro Tour, Olympic Games and senior World Championships, an arduous journey that has yielded their first major international title 12 years later.
“Many people think that we travel so much and see the world but we actually focus on the tournaments. We can’t allow ourselves to spend so much energy on sightseeing. It’s all about being ready to step on the court and give 100 percent every single day. Professional sport is pretty lonely, we spend a lot of time just in a hotel room without socializing, without meeting our friends or our families. Most of the time you are just resting, sleeping or reading a book,” revealed Anastasija.
“It’s hard and many people don’t understand how hard it is and how much discipline you need to have to not only win the World Championship but to be among the best athletes. You need to have the discipline to practice even if you feel sore, angry, crying or so happy,” explained the 28-year-old.
Latvia’s Anastasija Samoilova in action during the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship title in Adelaide, Australia.
It was put to Anastasija that as the new world champions, the spotlight will be on them in the 2026 season and beyond. However, she has taken her new status in her stride and hopes it can inspire upcoming Latvian players to chase their dreams.
“For now, I don’t feel the pressure. One goal that I had in the 2025 season while preparing for the World Championship, I kept asking myself: ‘What would Anastasija Samoilova – World champion – do in this kind of situation?’
“My goal was to imagine myself and to bring the attitude and act like I am a champion already, so I don’t think that my life will change a lot now than I am a World champion. I was ready to share my experience and knowledge, and I am still ready to share it right now in Latvia or around the world with anyone who is interested,” she said.
Latvia’s Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasija Samoilova Anastasija celebrate with their coach Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez (centre) during the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship title in Adelaide, Australia.
Admittedly, Tina & Anastasija are yet to set their targets for the 2026 season together with their Coach Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez. But a third European Championship gold medal is certainly in the mix.
“Our coach Danny was very kind to us after the World Championship win and we had all December of vacation. In the beginning of January, we will have a team meeting and decide our plans for the 2026 season. I think that we will try to prepare for 2026 season as well as we could and participate in all Beach Pro Tour Elite16 events and the main competition for us will be the European championship,” pointed out Anastasija.
