The Figueira da Foz Buarcos Beach has seen the best beach soccer, handball, wrestling and volleyball student-athletes from the world compete on its sand over the last seven days.
What a great way to say goodbye to the Portuguese summer! Almost from sunrise until sunset, student-athletes from all over the world jumped, kicked, ran and fought in the golden sand to win a spot on the Figueira 2026 FISU World University Championship Beach Sports podiums.
Nine countries claimed medals. Brazil won the most golds (5, as well as one silver and one bronze), Spain followed with two gold, two silver and one bronze and third came the host country Portugal with one gold, four silver and three bronze. The other nations that took medals home are Czechia, the United States of America, Germany, Poland, Moldova and Croatia.
The Figueira 2026 FISU World University Championship Beach Sports was streamed live.
Click here to rewatch.
Click here to access photos and highlights!
Click here to get all the results!
You can find out more information on the event’s official website and on its social media outlets, Instagram and Facebook.
And also on FISU’s social media outlets, Instagram and Facebook.
beach wrestling
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Brazilian and Moldovan domination
The Beach Wrestling competition concluded on 18 September in Figueira da Foz, with eight athletes crowned champions across the men’s and women’s categories. Brazil and Moldova claimed the largest number of gold medals, with three titles each.
In the men’s competition, Moldova won the 70 kg, 80 kg and 90 kg categories, through Ion Berghi, Gabriel Ojog and Traian Capatina, respectively. Brazil took the +90 kg title through Joao Gabriel Figueredo Correa Lima.
The women’s gold medals were shared between Brazil and Croatia. Clara Lavinha Oliveira Fernandes won the 50 kg category, Rayssa De Souza Alves claimed the 60 kg title, Marijana Šumski won at 70 kg, while Rayne Gabriely Alves Da Silva was the winner in the +70 kg category.
Portugal secured two silver medals, with Rodrigo Miranda finishing second in the men’s 70 kg category and Leticia Loureiro taking silver in the women’s 50 kg category. Portugal also added a further five bronze medals across the individual categories.
The final team rankings placed Moldova first in the men’s competition, followed by Brazil and Croatia, while Portugal finished fourth. In the women’s competition, Brazil topped the team standings, ahead of Croatia and Spain, with Portugal in fourth place.
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Czechia and the USA dominated the beach volleyball event
The Beach Volleyball competition concluded on 21 September in Figueira da Foz, with Czechia claiming the women’s title and the United States winning the men’s competition. The Czech and US teams were joined on the podium by Poland and Czechia in the women’s competition, and Czechia and Germany in the men’s tournament.
In the men’s competition, the gold medal went to the United States, with Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst finishing first. Czechia’s Matyas Dzavoronok and Jakub Sepka claimed silver, while Germany’s Momme Lorenz and Nissen completed the podium in third place.
In the women’s competition, Czechia secured the gold medal through Anna Pavlekova and Katerina Pavlekova. The United States took silver, with Erin Inskeep and Ella Connor, while Poland’s Maja Kruczek and Julia Radelczuk won the bronze medal.
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In the women’s Beach Handball competition, Brazil defeated Spain 2–1 in the gold medal match to claim the title. Spain took the silver medal, while Portugal secured bronze after beating Poland 2–0 in the bronze medal match.
In the men’s Beach Handball competition, Spain won against Brazil (2-0) defeating Portugal 7–6 in the final. Portugal finished with the bronze medal.
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The men’s Beach Soccer competition also ended with Brazil on top. The Brazilian team defeated Portugal 7–6. Czechia completed the podium after a 3–2 victory over the People’s Republic of China in the bronze medal match.
The Figueira 2026 FISU World University Championship Beach Sports is now officially over. We could like to congratulate all the student-athletes and coaches and thank the referees, volunteers, partners, and supporters for their enthusiasm and hard work.
The FISU World University Championship 2026 season is still going strong. Next up, the Split 2026 FISU World University Championship Sailing that is taking place in Croatia 28 September – 2 October..
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