The 2024 FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships, held in Shangluo, China, from August 27 to September 1, concluded with an exciting and historic display of athleticism. The championship saw rising stars from the USA and Poland dominate the competition, with Myriah Massey & Lily Davis emerging as the women’s champions and Szymon Pietraszek & Jakub Krzeminski securing the men’s title. Their victories not only marked significant milestones in their careers but also underscored the growing strength of beach volleyball across different continents.
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This year’s event was a showcase of talent from 46 countries across five continental confederations, with 49 women’s teams and 45 men’s teams participating. As the competition unfolded, the world watched in awe as new champions were crowned, and the sport’s future shone brighter than ever.
USA Women’s Duo: Myriah Massey & Lily Davis Soar to Victory
The women’s tournament was one of the most thrilling in recent memory. Myriah Massey, 18, and Lily Davis, 17, began their journey in the qualification rounds, but their perseverance and skill carried them all the way to the top. With eight wins and only one loss, the American duo emerged as the 2024 U19 World Champions, marking the third time in history that a US women’s pair had claimed the title. For Massey, this victory was especially sweet after she had previously won a silver medal at the same tournament in 2022 alongside Ashley Pater.
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“This gold medal means everything to us,” said Davis, reflecting on the emotional significance of the win. “Representing our country is a blessing. And I think just working this hard to win it all is a great feeling!”
Massey and Davis’ victory came after a dramatic and hard-fought journey. In the semifinals, they faced fellow Americans Sally Perez & Sarah Wood in a thrilling three-set match. Despite losing the first set 12-21, they mounted a remarkable comeback, winning the next two sets 21-19 and 15-5 to secure a spot in the final. In the gold medal match, they faced Spain’s Sofia Izuzquiza & Marta Carro, who had been on a six-match winning streak. However, the Americans were undeterred, sweeping the Spanish pair 21-16, 21-16 to claim the title.
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For Izuzquiza and Carro, the silver medal was a historic achievement. The 18-year-olds had previously won the U18 European Championship in 2023, but this marked their first world-level medal. Their journey to the final was equally impressive, with a tough semifinal victory over Thailand’s Varagkhana Sogalee & Somruedee Koedkaew, whom they defeated 2-1 (21-14, 13-21, 15-10).
The bronze medal match saw another American duo, Perez and Wood, secure their spot on the podium. The pair, both in their teens, triumphed 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) over the Thai team, earning a well-deserved third-place finish in their first major international competition.
This victory marked a milestone for the USA, bringing the country’s total medal count in the history of the U19 World Championships to seven, further cementing its dominance in the sport.
Poland’s Pietraszek & Krzeminski: A Historic Win for the Men’s Title
On the men’s side, Poland’s Szymon Pietraszek and Jakub Krzeminski made history by claiming the U19 World Championship title in 2024. Their journey to the top was nothing short of spectacular, as they achieved a perfect streak of nine consecutive wins, dropping only three sets throughout the tournament. This victory marked Poland’s fifth U19 men’s world title and its first since 2012. The win also served as a redemption story for the Polish duo, who had come close to victory earlier in their careers.
“We feel really amazing! This is an unforgettable moment, which I will remember my whole life,” said Krzeminski, his voice brimming with emotion. “It was a hard tournament for us, especially because we started in the qualifications, and we were close to being eliminated. That’s why we are so happy to come this far and win the gold medal for our country.”
The Polish pair’s path to the final was filled with challenges, but their resilience paid off. In the semifinals, they faced Mexico’s Ines Antonio Vargas Lares and Carlos Andres Ayala Herrera, defeating them 2-0 (21-15, 21-18). The final, however, would prove to be an even greater test. They went head-to-head with Latvia’s Matiss Salkovskis and Karlis Jaundzeikars, who had been in exceptional form. The final match was a nail-biter, with the first set going into overtime before the Polish duo finally clinched a 25-23 win. They followed it up with a 21-19 victory in the second set, securing the gold medal.
For Salkovskis and Jaundzeikars, the silver medal was a historic achievement for Latvia, marking the country’s fifth U19 men’s world medal. The Latvian duo had started their tournament from the qualification rounds, but their performance was nothing short of impressive. They secured a spot in the final after a thrilling 2-1 (18-21, 21-16, 15-10) victory over Iran’s AmirAli GhalehNovi & Habib AkbarzadehKashani in the semifinals.
The bronze medal match was another intense battle, with GhalehNovi and Akbarzadeh clinching Iran’s first-ever U19 World Championship medal. The Iranian pair, both in their teens, fought hard against Lares and Ayala Herrera, eventually winning 2-1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-6) to secure third place. Their 6-1 win-loss record was a testament to their exceptional skill and determination in their first major international competition.
A Bright Future for Beach Volleyball
The 2024 FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships in Shangluo were a testament to the global growth of the sport. With teams from 46 countries participating, the event demonstrated the increasing competitiveness and skill at the youth level. The victories of the USA and Poland, along with the impressive performances of teams from Spain, Latvia, and Iran, highlighted the rising stars of beach volleyball, who are poised to make a significant impact in future international competitions.
As we look ahead to the future of beach volleyball, the 2024 U19 World Championships serve as a reminder that the sport is in good hands. With young talents like Massey, Davis, Pietraszek, and Krzeminski leading the charge, the next generation of beach volleyball champions is already making its mark. The excitement and energy of this year’s tournament leave us eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the world of beach volleyball.
