In a thrilling finale at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, the United States clinched the top spot with Cheng and Hughes overpowering the previously undefeated Brazilian pair of Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos. The defending champions from Brazil couldn’t maintain their pristine record, succumbing to the Americans in a straight-set victory of 21-16 and 24-22.
Notably, this win in Tlaxcala guarantees the U.S. a spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics. In addition to the glory and recognition, Cheng and Hughes are set to divide the grand prize money of $60,000 amongst themselves.
But the American success story didn’t end there. In the bronze medal clash, Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss represented the United States against the formidable Australian Olympic medalists, Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho. In a tense three-setter, the American duo triumphed (15-21, 21-19, 15-8), ensuring that two U.S. teams graced the championship podium.
