Latvia’s national beach volleyball teams are eager to leave their mark on the sport’s most prestigious stage — the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship—when the competition serves off on 14 November in Adelaide, Australia.
The competition will be played across two spectacular city venues — The Drive and Pinky Flat/Tarntanya Wama — with the action set against the stunning backdrop of Adelaide’s River Torrens until 23 November when the world champions will be determined. Latvia will proudly be represented by one men’s and one women’s pair, both aiming to go deep into the knockout rounds and deliver medals for their country.
Latvia’s progress in beach volleyball continues to be driven by both talent and investment. 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 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.
Latvia’s men’s pair — Mārtiņš Pļaviņš and Kristiāns Fokerots — arrives in Adelaide as the 17th seeds, combining decades of experience with youthful energy. At 40 years old, Pļaviņš remains one of the sport’s most respected veterans. The Adelaide tournament will mark his eighth World Championship appearance, following campaigns in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. A three-time Olympian, Pļaviņš famously won bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games with Jānis Šmēdiņš and finished fourth in Tokyo 2020 alongside Edgars Točs. His longevity and leadership have made him a cornerstone of Latvian beach volleyball.
Latvia’s Mārtiņš Pļaviņš in action during the 2025 Beach Pro Tour Elite16 stop in Brasilia.
His partner, Kristiāns Fokerots, represents the next generation of Latvian stars. At just 20 years old, Adelaide will be his first senior World Championship, but he already carries an impressive list of achievements. Fokerots captured the 2024 European Championship gold medal with Pļaviņš and was a standout at junior level, claiming the 2022 Under 19 World Championship gold, 2022 Under 18 European Championship gold and 2024 U20 European Championship gold, all with Gustavs Auziņš.
Together, Plavins & Fokerots form one of the tournament’s most fascinating partnerships — a perfect balance between mentorship and youthful aggression.
In Adelaide, the Latvian duo will compete in Pool H, facing USA’s Miles Partain & Andrew Benesh on 15 November, Togo’s Koffi Abraham Kotoka & Kuamivi Achille Samani on 16 November and Czechia’s eighth seeds Ondrej Perusic & David Schweiner on 17 November. A strong start could pave the way for a deep elimination run as they look to build on their 2024 European triumph with another strong performance on the global stage.
Latvia’s Kristiāns Fokerots in action during the 2025 Beach Pro Tour Elite16 stop in Brasilia.
In the women’s competition, Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasija Samoilova enter Adelaide as the 5th seeds and one of the most experienced teams in the field. Partners since 2013, the 2022 European champions have been the face of Latvian women’s beach volleyball for over a decade, earning global respect for their consistency and chemistry.
They will be making their fourth World Championship appearance together, after competing in 2019, 2022, and 2023, and have also represented Latvia at two Olympic Games. Tina & Anastasija came agonizingly close to the podium in Tokyo 2020, finishing fourth, and reached the quarterfinals in Paris 2024.
This season, Graudiņa and Samoilova have continued to demonstrate world-class form, winning silver medals at the Beach Pro Tour Elite16 events in Gstaad and Ostrava. Their sights are firmly set on breaking through to the medal matches in Adelaide — a goal well within reach given their rich form, momentum, experience, tactical maturity, and fighting spirit.
Latvia’s Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasija Samoilova celebrate a point during the 2025 Beach Pro Tour Elite16 stop in Brasilia.
For Latvia, Adelaide represents more than just a tournament — it’s a stepping stone toward a larger dream. Both teams are hungry for a World Championship medal which will earn them a permanent spot on the high table of global beach volleyball.
With strong Volleyball Empowerment support, elite coaching, and a blend of emerging and established talent, Latvian beach volleyball stands ready to take the next step on the global stage.
