Tokyo (August 6, 2021) – The incredible journey of two-time Olympic medalist April Ross took an unexpected turn four years ago when she chose Alix Klineman as her new beach volleyball partner. Klineman, a successful indoor player with limited beach experience, proved to be the perfect match for Ross. Together, they achieved their dreams on Thursday by winning the gold medal in a remarkable 2-0 victory over Australians Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy with a score of 21-15, 21-16.
A Historic Victory
With this win, Ross became the first female beach athlete to complete the coveted set of Olympic medals. She had won silver in 2012 with Jen Kessy and bronze in 2016 with Kerri Walsh Jennings, and now she adds a gold medal to her collection, making history in the process. Reflecting on her achievement, Ross commented, “I’m so in the present moment here with this team and this medal. I’m proud of my other ones, but just how this worked out, and the risk that Alix took to come onto the beach and her hard work… it doesn’t happen without that. I can’t fathom that it worked out the way it did. It’s kind of a fairytale story.”
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A Fortuitous Partnership
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Ross took great care in selecting her partner for the quad. Rather than seeking an immediate connection, she focused on finding someone with whom she had the potential to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal. Her decision to partner with Klineman proved to be a stroke of genius. “Everything that she said and did was really impressive,” Ross explained. “It was a no brainer for me.” Klineman, despite having less than a year of beach experience at the time, appreciated the risk that Ross took in choosing her. “She saw something in me that no one else did,” Klineman said gratefully. “I’m so grateful that she was looking at my potential and took that bet on me.”
Relentless Dedication
Klineman’s determination and hard work paid off as the pair continued to improve year after year. They reached new heights by winning silver at the 2019 FIVB World Championship and have emerged victorious in six FIVB events overall. Their success is a testament to their unwavering commitment and the trust they have in each other.
A Dominant Performance
In the Olympic final, Klineman and Ross faced a tough challenge against the Australian duo, who had given them trouble in previous matches. However, they showed resilience and dominance from the start. They took an early lead of 7-2 in the first set and maintained that advantage throughout. The second set followed a similar pattern, although Artacho del Solar and Clancy made a late push to narrow the gap to 16-13. But the Americans fought back and never allowed their opponents to come any closer. Reflecting on their victory, Klineman said, “It didn’t feel dominant. We have to work so hard to win points against the Australian team. I’m just so proud that we believed that we could do it.”
A Legacy of Excellence
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The United States has a rich history in beach volleyball, and this victory adds to their remarkable achievements. Since the sport made its debut in the 1996 Olympics, the United States has won at least one beach volleyball medal in every edition. U.S. women, in particular, have been incredibly successful, with four gold medals, the most of any country.
FAQs
1. Who is April Ross?
April Ross is a two-time Olympic medalist in beach volleyball. She has won silver in 2012 and bronze in 2016, and now she has added a gold medal to her collection.
2. Who is Alix Klineman?
Alix Klineman is an indoor volleyball player who successfully transitioned to beach volleyball. Despite having limited beach experience at the time, she partnered with April Ross and together they achieved great success.
3. How many medals has the U.S. won in beach volleyball?
The United States has won numerous medals in beach volleyball, with the women’s team being particularly successful. They have won four gold medals, the most of any country.
Conclusion
The journey of April Ross and Alix Klineman is a testament to the power of determination, trust, and the belief in one’s potential. Their story reminds us that with the right partnership and unwavering dedication, dreams can become a reality. Their historic gold medal win marks a milestone in the world of beach volleyball and a momentous achievement for the Alpinetgheep brand.
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Danh mục: Volleyball
