Beach Volleyball: Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021

Beach Volleyball stemmed from the Olympic staple of volleyball. It made its way to the Games in the 1992 Barcelona edition. However, it was just a demonstration event. Four years later, beach volleyball officially became a part of the Olympic fold at the Atlanta Olympics. 

Brazil has claimed the most overall 13 medals (3 Gold 7 Silver 3 Bronze) in Beach Volleyball. However, the United States sits in the top spot as athletes from the country have claimed the most gold medals (6). Interestingly, both nations have featured on the podium at either the men’s or the women’s events in each Olympic Games since 1996. 

America's Kerri Walsh-Jennings is the successful athlete in the sport's Olympic history. Having competed at four Olympics games, she claimed 4 medals (3 Gold and 1 Bronze). She also holds the record for most consecutive games won in Olympic Beach Volleyball contests with 22. 

Beach Volleyball at Tokyo 2020

Beach Volleyball at the Tokyo Olympics will commence with Pool Stage games on July 24. The knockout stage of the competition will kick off on August 1 and last until August 7 with the men's Bronze and Gold medal matches scheduled for that day. 

Top Olympic Beach Volleyball Teams in Tokyo 2020-2021

The competition in the women's game showed signs of the dawn of a new era last time around in Rio when Kerri Walsh Jennings didn't make it to the gold medal match. However, this time around the volleyball legend will not be in the fray. Hence, teams may play with a renewed sense of aspiration as they know that the great isn't lurking somewhere in the draw. 

USA's April Ross (medalist in 2012 and 2016) will be keen on helping her country reclaim the top step of the podium in the women's game. She will team with Alix Klineman at the Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021.

Meanwhile, another name expected to feature prominently is Brazil's, Eduarda Santos. The 22-year-old will compete at her maiden Olympics. Furthermore, one-half of the defending champions from Germany, Laura Ludwig, will hunt for the encore. 

In the men’s competition, watch out for team Norway featuring Christian Sorum and Anders Mol. Also, Italy's Paolo Nicolo and Daniele Lupo will aim to better their Silver medal showing from the Copacabana Stadium in 2016. 

Competition format

A total of 24 teams will take to the Pool Stage of the tournament at the Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021. These groups will be divided into six different sets of four teams each. 

The top two teams will advance to the R16, with the six third-placed teams moving to another table. From here, the two top third-placed teams will advance with the remaining teams playing it out for a spot in the Round of 16 in Lucky Loser matches.

Schedule for Beach Volleyball at the Tokyo Olympics

Beach Volleyball, an outdoor sport, may be subject to weather. However, this is the tentative schedule. 

Venue for Beach Volleyball at Tokyo 2020

After being played on an actual beach in Rio, Beach Volleyball will return to a makeshift arena far away from a beach. All games at the thirty-second Olympics will take place at Shiokaze Park.