The Mata do Horto Arena, in Ipatinga, was the scene of some great matches last weekend, during the 2nd stage of the Minas Gerais Beach Volleyball Circuit. On March 15 and 16, athletes from the Under-19 and Adult Elite categories, in both men’s and women’s teams, showed their talent and determination in the competition.

The Viva o Esporte project, run by the Ramacrisna Institute in Betim, in partnership with the city’s municipal government, achieved significant results and guaranteed a prominent presence on the podiums. In the men’s Adult Elite category, Luis Phelipe Honorato and Kauã Saymon won the gold medal, followed by Alex Silveira and Maurício Mota, who took silver. Ronald Gonçalves and Kauã Rodrigues rounded off the podium with bronze. In the women’s category, the duo formed by Emanuely Pereira and Quemile Souza shone and also secured first place.

Among the youngest, the women’s Under-19 category also had representatives from the program on the podium. Laura Fernandes and Isabela Magalhães won the silver medal, confirming the high technical level of the team.

Towards the Brazilian Championship

In addition to their high performance in the competition, Viva o Esporte athletes also secured places in the Brazilian Beach Volleyball Circuit. Laura Fernandes and Isabela Magalhães will represent Minas Gerais as the top pair in the women’s Under-19 category. In the men’s category, Igor Faustino and Arthur Lima, from Usipa, won the state’s top spot.

The national competition will take place in Brasília (DF), between April 20 and 23, and the qualified pairs will have the mission of representing Minas Gerais in the tournament, facing the best teams in the country.

Commitment to sport and training young talent

For the vice-president of the Ramacrisna Institute, Solange Bottaro, the results achieved demonstrate the constant progress of the athletes, the result of dedication, training and the support offered by the project. “To see our athletes standing on the podium and gaining a place in high-level competitions is a source of great pride. These results show that investing in sport transforms lives, opening up new opportunities and encouraging young people to excel every day,” says Solange.