The last time Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins medalled at a major international tournament was in August 2019, when they took gold in Moscow and Jurmala on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. As the renowned Latvian pair approach their debut on the all-new Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, Samoilovs says it’s time to step up onto the podium again.

“Last season we reached the top 10 in every tournament we participated in, a pretty impressive stability,” 36-year-old Samoilovs told Volleyball World. “But it is time to step up onto the podium again!”

Their first chance to do so will be from March 16 to 20 when the Beach Pro Tour gets underway in Tlaxcala, Mexico. The Latvians are seeded fifth in the main draw. Then, they will stay in Mexico for the Rosarito Elite 16 the following week, where they will also have a spot in the main draw, seeded 11th.

“Our first two tournaments will be in Tlaxala and Rosarito in Mexico. Our plans were to play all Elite 16 tournaments this season, but as we are not that high on entry points, we decided to play Challenge events too,” Samoilovs said.

“Our main goal will be the Jurmala Elite 16 in early June, as it is our home tournament, followed by the World Championships in Rome,” the Lion King added. “Janis got fourth the last time the World Championship was held in Rome back in 2011, but I have never made it to the quarterfinals. So my biggest goal for this season is to finally get past the eighth-finals, fingers crossed.”

Samoilovs and Smedins teamed up in 2013 after the latter won an Olympic bronze at London 2012 with Martins Plavins as a partner. In their nine seasons together, they collected 14 gold, five silver and six bronze medals on the World Tour and won three season titles in 2013, 2014 and 2016. They also won Europe’s continental title in 2015 in addition to four EuroBeachVolley silvers.

To get back on the path to success, the Latvian duo made sure they stay busy in the off-season and prepare extensively for the new challenges ahead, participating in training camps and tournaments. Samoilovs was also engaged as the lead coach at beach volleyball workshops.

“We started our preparation in December with a three-week camp in Tenerife to prepare for the King of the Court Finals in Doha,” Samoilovs said. “We went to Qatar in a pretty good shape, but unfortunately Janis got a rotavirus and spent five days in his bedroom, so he had to withdraw from the tournament. I played with Austria’s Moritz Pristauz. Then I was in Zanzibar with Beach Box Camps and was pretty busy with that. After that, we prepared in Riga at an indoor facility and a gym. Now we are in Los Angeles for another training camp before travelling on to Mexico.”

Quick links:
Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube