This weekend’s event on the Brazilian Beach Volleyball Circuit, the seventh of the 2020-2021 season, will be highlighted by the return of two very familiar faces.
Veterans Maria Elisa Antonelli and Maria Clara Salgado, who have played over 300 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour events among them, will reappear in Saquarema this week after sitting out the entire 2020 season.
Both athletes last competed in November 2019. Shortly after that, Maria Elisa, a London 2012 Olympian, found out she was expecting her first son, Lucca, who was born last July.
On her return, she will partner with Talita Antunes, after also appearing at the London Games with her nine years ago. The pair are entered to compete in the 4-star World Tour tournament in Doha in March.
“I’m excited, but also very grounded,” she Maria Elisa. “Our main goal is doing well on the World Tour and playing in this tournament is something that will help me regain my form. My team have been very patient and understanding about my needs and limitations and that makes me feel really good. Talita had a baby not long ago so she understands my struggles and I’m excited for us to write a new chapter of our history as a team.”
undefinedWhile Maria Elisa won’t debut in the Brazilian tournament this weekend until the main draw begins on Friday, Maria Clara will get to the sand in Thursday’s qualifiers, which will advance eight teams. The 37-year-old defender, who first appeared on the World Tour back in 2000 and spent most of the last 20 years paired with her sister Carolina, will play with 28-year-old Juliana Simoes.
“I’m excited to be back and to be playing with Juliana,” Maria Clara said. “We’ll start in the qualifiers, so every match matters for us. After such a long time not playing, I actually kind of like that. It will help me get my rhythm back. We have a long road ahead of us, so I’m not rushing anything. All I want is to feel the sand between my toes again and have fun.”
After the completion of six of the nine events set to take place this season in Brazil, Agatha Bednarczuk and Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa top the circuit's ranking with 2,320 points. Reigning champions Rebecca Cavalcanti and Ana Patricia Ramos come next with 2,000 points.
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