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Australia has claimed its first-ever medal in the history of the FIVB Under-18 Men's Beach Volleyball World Championships, with Queensland pair Tom Turner and Ryan Edgar securing a historic silver in the Hague.
The Australian duo produced a standout tournament before finishing runners-up to Germany’s Lasse Huper and Filo Wust in the gold medal match – 21-17, 21-17.
For 17-year-old Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS)-supported athlete Tom Turner, the result marked the reward for years of hard work and a milestone for Australian beach volleyball.
“Winning silver at the Junior Men’s Beach Volleyball World Championships and becoming the first Australian men’s team to win a medal at the event is an incredible feeling,” Turner said.
“It’s something Ryan and I have worked towards for a long time, so to see all the hard work, training and sacrifices pay off on the world stage is really rewarding. Representing Australia and making history for our country makes the achievement even more special.
“While we were proud to win silver, the experience has also motivated us to keep improving and aim even higher in future international competitions.”
The pair entered the final full of confidence after surviving a hard-fought semi-final and stuck to the routines that had carried them through the tournament.
“We had just come off a very close win in the semi-finals, so we took some time to enjoy that moment and read all of the messages of support we received,” Turner said.
“After watching the second semi-final, we returned to our accommodation to refuel, recover and reset. Once we got back to the courts, our preparation remained the same as any other game.”
Their long-standing partnership has been a key ingredient in their success.
“Ryan and I have been playing together for several years now, so everything comes pretty naturally,” Turner said.
“We’re really good friends off the court too, which makes the transition on court easy. We understand each other well and share the same goals.”
Despite falling just short of gold, the silver medal represents a landmark moment for Australian men’s beach volleyball and provides a platform for Turner and Edgar as they continue their rise through the international ranks.
Turner now has his sights firmly set on competing at the highest level.
“I want to continue competing nationally and internationally at a high level,” he said.
“I’ve worked with Kylie, Dean and Viv over the last few years. They’ve all played a significant part in my success and I’m really grateful for their support and guidance.”
Fellow QAS-supported athlete Jorja Grocott also represented Australia at the championships, finishing in the 25th placing bracket in a tournament that provided valuable international experience as she continues her progression through the junior ranks.
