Tokyo 2020: Meet three of the Brazilian men's volleyball players lighting up the Olympic stage

After an enthralling battle against Argentina that saw the tie stretch across five sets, defending champions Brazil finally confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo 2020 men's volleyball tournament.

They're set to face hosts Japan on Tuesday (3rd August) for a place in the last four.

But who are the key players helping the Rio 2016 champs edge closer to retaining their title?

Yoandy Leal

32-year-old Yoandy Leal is an outside hitter for the Brazil volleyball side.

At club level, however, he operates as a wing-spiker for Lube Civitanova.

Cuban-born, Leal used to represent their national team before switching his allegiances to Brazil in 2019, having gained his Brazilian citizenship in 2015.

He became the first foreign player to become a part of the Brazil national team.

“How can I not have affection and esteem for Brazil? I wouldn't be the player I am today without that help,” he told Veja on his decision to play for them.

“Because I felt at home in Belo Horizonte, I went after the formalities to be able to play for the Brazilian team.

“I know the responsibility, and I have almost no words to define what I feel.”

And ever since he was first called up, Leal has enjoyed plenty of success with his new team.

In 2019 they won the FIVB World Cup and the CSV South American Championship before gaining momentum for Tokyo 2020 in 2021 by winning the FIVB Nationals League this year.

Both the American Championships and VNL titles saw him win Best Outside Spiker – bringing his talents to Tokyo.

And Leal is now living what he calls one of his biggest “dreams” by competing at the Olympic Games.

Bruno Rezende

For 35-year-old Bruno Rezende, volleyball is quite simply in his blood.

Born to volleyball playing parents, Bernardinho and Vera Mossa, it only made sense for him to follow in their footsteps.

Both parents have competed at the Olympic Games previously, with his father winning a silver medal at the 1984 Games.

Rezende continued that legacy, with three medals so far.

At Beijing 2008 and London 2012, he and Brazil walked away with a silver medal.

But the big one came on home soil, at Rio 2016 in Brazil, they were finally crowned Olympic champions.

Tokyo are his fourth Games, and the player joined judoka Ketleyn Quadros in walking out as Brazil flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony in Japan.

Dubbed a ‘magician’ with the ball, Rezende has been regarded as one of the best setters in the world.

He has enjoyed a flurry of individual awards, most recently at the 2019 Club World Championships where he was voted the best setter and the most valuable player.

But he’ll be hoping he can lead Brazil to more Olympic glory and retain the best setter award he picked up five years ago in Rio.

Lucas Saatkamp

Volleyball hasn’t always been the sporting love of 35-year-old Lucas Saatkamp.

He originally began his sporting career with basketball – but after playing volleyball as part of his school scholarship, he eventually made the switch when he was 16.

And ever since, he has developed into one of the best middle blockers in the world.

The Brazilian is known for his power and explosion in that position, making it his own.

Saatkamp has won plenty of individual awards for dominating that position, from World Championships to World Cups, and has a reputation for always delivering.

He has been a prominent part of the Brazil squad since he was introduced in 2009, going onto win multiple titles with them.

But one of his standout campaigns came when Brazil swooped for gold in Rio, including a high scoring game against Iran where he picked up 17 across three sets.

In the game against Argentina that took Brazil through to the quarter-finals, Saatkamp added 19 points across five sets.

More importantly, he had a game-high of seven blocks – proving that he can be invaluable for the Brazilian team in defending.

Watch the Brazilian trio at Tokyo 2020

If you want to watch this trio and their Brazilian teammates take on hosts Japan, action begins at 13:00 JST on Tuesday August 3rd.

You can find out where to watch all the action at the Tokyo Olympic Games by clicking here.

You can read more about volleyball at Tokyo 2020, and all other events from the Games, in the official Tokyo 2020 Olympics live blog.