(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Horst & Pristauz Qualify for Veracruz Challenge Main Draw
Published: October 2, 2025
Austria’s Alexander Horst and Moritz Pristauz have secured their place in the main draw of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Veracruz Challenge in Mexico. This marks their second consecutive qualification success after also advancing at the Hamburg Elite earlier this season.
Austrian Duo Shine in Qualifiers
Seeded second in the qualification bracket, the Austrian pair delivered a confident straight-set victory over Poland’s Szymon Pietraszek & Jakub Krzeminski, the 2024 U19 world champions. The final score read 2-0 (21-16, 21-19).
Pristauz led with 18 points, including four kill blocks, while the 42-year-old Horst — a four-time Olympian and 2017 World Championship silver medalist — added 12 points, including an ace.
The Austrians are seeded 24th in the 32-team main draw, where they will face ninth-seeded Americans Chaim Schalk & James Shaw in their opening match on Thursday.
Thrilling US Qualifier Clash
One of the highlights of the qualifiers came from an all-American battle. Lev Priima & Ryan Wilcox outlasted fellow Americans Timothy Brewster & Ryan Ierna in a nail-biting three-setter that lasted 48 minutes. Priima & Wilcox eventually prevailed 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 16-14), eliminating the third seeds.
Top-seeded US duo Evan Cory & Derek Bradford advanced directly to the main draw with a bye.
Home Crowd Celebration in Mexico
Local favorites Antonio Lares & Carlos Andres Ayala gave fans plenty to cheer about after defeating Switzerland’s Florian Breer & Luc Fluckiger in three sets, 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 15-11).
Other Key Results
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Australia’s Thomas Hodges & Paul Burnett defeated Belgium’s 2023 U21 world champions Kyan Vercauteren & Joppe Van Langendonck in straight sets, 2-0 (21-18, 21-14).
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New Zealand’s Bradley Fuller & Ben O’Dea beat England’s Issa Batrane & Frederick Bialokoz 2-0 (21-15, 21-14).
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Denmark’s Mads Mollgaard & Nicolai Hovmann overcame Germany’s Jonas Reinhardt & Robin Sowa 2-0 (21-19, 21-12).
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Norway’s Nils Gunnar Ringoen & Even Stray Aas defeated Canada’s Tynan Gannett & Luke de Greeff 2-0 (23-21, 21-15). Despite the loss, the Canadians advanced as lucky losers.
What’s Next?
The men’s main draw action at the Veracruz Challenge kicks off on Thursday at 14:00 local time (20:00 UTC). Fans can expect exciting battles as top beach volleyball teams from around the world compete for glory in Mexico.
