The Rio de Janeiro Elite ended with two thrilling finals, as Qatar’s Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan struck gold in the men’s tournament and Brazil’s Carol Solberg & Rebecca Cavalcanti delighted home fans with victory in the women’s competition.
Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan Win Men’s Final
Qatari duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan battled past Cuba’s Jorge Alayo and Noslen Diaz to claim their third gold medal of 2025. The match swung back and forth before the Qataris held firm to seal a 2-1 (21-14, 17-21, 18-16) win.
The bronze medal went to the Netherlands, where Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot came from behind to defeat Latvia’s Martins Plavins and Kristians Fokerots.
Carol Solberg & Rebecca Cavalcanti Shine in Women’s Final
In the women’s gold medal match, Brazilians Carol Solberg and Rebecca Cavalcanti thrilled the Copacabana crowd with a comeback victory over compatriots Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes. The home favorites rallied to win 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-11).
In the bronze medal match, Americans Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft defeated compatriots Molly Shaw and Kelly Cheng in straight sets, 2-0 (21-13, 24-22).
- Historic 2025 for Italian Volleyball: Azzurri and Azzurre Shine on World Stage
- BV Elite16: Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan and Carol Solberg & Rebecca Cavalcanti Crowned Champions in Rio
- Volleyball’s Growing Market: A Sport on the Rise
- Philippines to Host 2029 Women’s Volleyball World Championship
- FIVB WC M: Michieletto Named MVP
