What we learned: Beach volleyball wrap-up from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Beach volleyball certainly did not fail to deliver at Tokyo 2020, in 2021.

The competition, marked by its surprise exists and upsets, proved that in the Olympic arena just about anything can happen.

In the men’s event 24-year-old Anders Mol and 25-year-old Christian Sorum made history when they clinched the gold on the sands in Japan. With the prospect of a competition loaded with talent, the two Norwegians marched through the tournament seemingly unfazed.

There was not a single Rio 2016 medallist to be seen in the competition’s final stages with neither of Brazil’s title holders making it past the quarter-finals.

In the women's competition U.S. veteran April Ross and partner Alix Klineman took home the gold in what was a nearly faultless Olympic performance. The duo only dropped one set on the road to the Olympic title.

Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, show a recap of the medal winners and tell you what to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Top 5 beach volleyball moments at Tokyo 2020

1- April Ross finally gets her crown

After winning silver at London 2012, and bronze in Rio American star April Ross was finally able to complete her medal collection with gold at Tokyo 2020.

With new partner and Olympic debutant Alix Klineman by her side, the duo dubbed the ‘A-Team’ put on a dominant display in the final to ensure that the Olympic title was theirs.

Klineman herself had her own personal edge to take with her into the competition.

Three times the volleyball player renowned for her blocking abilities had tried to make the Olympic roster for the indoor team. When she found disappointment again, Klineman connected with Ross and the two have never looked back.

2- Norway’s young guns prevail

Heading into the competition it had always been Anders Mol’s aspiration to finish within the top eight. His mother, who had competed In Atlanta 1996 had come in ninth – bettering her was his goal.

When he and partner Christian Sorum made the quarter-finals they knew already they had done something great. Then came the chance to take the greatest prize of them all.

The final itself was perfectly poised for sporting drama.

The top seeds from Norway were up against the reigning world champions from ROC.

Even the intermittent rain couldn’t hold the three-time European champions back. They put on a dominant display to dispense with Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy 21-17 21-18 to take the gold.

Not only was the medal a first for Norway, Mol and Sorum are now the youngest ever men’s pair to win a beach volleyball gold.

3- Aussies stun world number one in quarterfinals

Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy have left Japan with the silver medal after being comprehensively beaten by Ross and Klineman but the duo certainly still proved their worth throughout the women’s competition.

Their greatest conquest without a doubt was their victory of world number ones and top seeds Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes of Canada.

The pair eliminated the early medal favourites in style. It took just 56 minutes for the Australians to send the expectant pair packing after besting them 2-1 (21-15 19-21 15-12).

4- Qatar’s first ever Olympic medal in beach volleyball

It wasn’t just Norway who won their first ever beach volleyball medal at Tokyo 2020.

Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan beat Latvia 21-12 21-18 in the bronze medal match to ensure they too took home their country’s first ever Olympic medal.

The Qataris had been looking strong throughout the competition, putting down consistent wins over classy sides on their road to the medal zone. However, a stumble against Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy in the semi-finals meant they fell short of the gold medal match.

5- Stellar tournament for Latvian newcomers

Although Latvian women’s pair Tina Graudina and Anastasija Kravcenoka fell short of a medal, the two can leave Japan with their heads held high. After all, they made history virtually every step of the way.

Just in qualifying they set a record. The two became the first Latvian women’s team to ever compete in an Olympic Games in beach volleyball.

That Graudina and Kravcenoka then progressed all the way through the competition to wind up in the bronze medal match despite never having won a medal is truly something remarkable.

One to watch

45-year-old Jacob Gibb of the U.S. has officially made his fourth and final Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020.

The beach volleyball veteran announced he would be ending his Olympic career after he and partner Tri Bourne lost to Germany’s Julius Thole and Clemens Wickler in the round of 16

In his first two Olympic outings at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, he achieved fifth-place finishes. At Rio 2016, he fared less well after he was knocked out of the pool stage.

Hello Paris

With age very much on the side of Norwegian pair Mol and Sorum the two already look to be the biggest medal threat for Paris 2024.

And with the beach volleyball stage set to be erected just under the Eiffel Tower – France’s most iconic landmark – the gold medallists won’t be the only ones eagerly looking to punch their ticket for Paris in three years’ time.

When and where to watch beach volleyball replays on Olympics.com?

The answer is: olympics.com/tokyo2020-replays

When will the beach volleyball athletes compete next?

You can catch your favourite beach volleyball players at the 2021 World Tour Finals in Cagliari (6-10 October) or at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships which will take place in June 2022 in Rome, Italy.

Full medals list for beach volleyball at Tokyo 2020

Women’s event

Gold: Alix Klineman and April Ross (USA)

Silver: Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar (AUS)

Bronze: Joana Heidrich and Anouk Verge-Depre (SUI)

Men’s event

Gold: Anders Mol and Christian Sørum (NOR)

Silver: Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy (ROC)

Bronze: Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan (QAT)