Latvian Beach Volleyball Champion Tīna Graudiņa Returns to Riga After World Championship Victory
Riga, Latvia – World champion beach volleyball player Tīna Graudiņa arrived in Riga on Tuesday, greeted by family, representatives from the Latvian volleyball Federation (LVF), the Latvian Olympic Commitee (LOK), adn approximately 30 members of the media. graudiņa, alongside teammate Anastasija Samoilova, recently secured the world championship title in Australia, winning seven consecutive matches and dropping only one set in the final.
Graudiņa expressed her joy at the widespread support received from Latvians globally, stating, “we heard so much Latvian there in Australia on the spot. I am so glad that this result brought all Latvians together all over the world. I still receive messages that other latvians are being congratulated on this success. Glad that sport unites.”
The Latvian duo reportedly found the initial group stage matches the most challenging, despite ultimately dominating the tournament, even surprising themselves with the lack of resistance from opponents. “In this tournament, everything that was supposed to happen happened in our favor,” Graudiņa explained.
Following their victory, Graudiņa and Samoilova celebrated with the Latvian community in Adelaide, visiting “Daugava vanagu” and the Latvian House, where they were honored with songs.
Graudiņa and Samoilova will now rest before beginning preparations for the Los Angeles olympic Games, a period the athlete described as “very responsible,” requiring careful planning over the next two and a half years.
National airline airBaltic announced Graudiņa’s return to Latvia, proudly welcoming the world champion home.
