Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 1, 2016 – Bruno Schmidt is set to make his Olympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, but that doesn’t mean expectations are low for the Vila Velha native.
He and partner Alison Cerutti are number one seeds, current world champions and current FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour champions, all of which means that the host nation are counting on the duo to end their 12-year wait to salute a Brazilian Olympic beach volleyball champion.
Bruno’s route to the top has been a circuitous one after making his name by winning the 2006 FIVB U21 World Championships with Pedro Salgado and it wasn’t until he reunited with his junior playing partner in 2013 that he became a regular on World Tour podiums.
The pair finished second in the World Tour standings that year, but at the start of 2014 he teamed up with Alison. After one gold, two silver and one bronze that year they had found their rhythm together as Bruno’s athleticism and agility at the back of the court dovetailed perfectly with Alison’s power at the net.
It means that hopes are sky high that they can become the first Brazilian men to win Olympic gold since Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos topped the podium at Athens 2004. They won their most recent gold at the start of the month at the Porec Major Series and if they match that form at Rio 2016, then it will take a very good team to halt their progress towards the ultimate glory.