PUEBLA, MEXICO – The bustling courts of Puebla, Mexico, are alive with the energy of the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships. Amidst the promising young athletes vying for glory, an imposing and familiar figure watches on. This is Alison Cerutti, the “Mammoth” of beach volleyball, an Olympic champion and a multiple world title winner, who has recently stepped off the sand and into a coaching role, marking a profoundly “different” chapter in his storied career.
A Legend`s New Calling: From Athlete to Architect
For an incredible 24 years, Alison Cerutti was a force to be reckoned with on the beach volleyball circuit. His name is synonymous with powerful blocks and strategic brilliance. A Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist, London 2012 silver medalist, and a two-time world champion, his playing resumé is nothing short of legendary. Yet, mere weeks after officially retiring from professional competition, the 39-year-old has wholeheartedly embraced a new challenge: nurturing the future stars of Brazilian beach volleyball.
“This is a new moment for me,” Alison remarked, reflecting on his shift. “To coach these young Brazilians, my team, is something different and it makes me very happy!” One can sense a blend of contentment and the subtle unfamiliarity of this new terrain. While more experienced coaches direct the action during live play, Alison`s current role primarily involves strategic counsel and motivational input between matches. Observing from the stands, his vocal contributions are largely limited to enthusiastic shouts of “come on, guys!”—a stark, almost ironic contrast to the direct, physical engagement that defined his playing career. It`s a different kind of battle, one fought with words and wisdom rather than spikes and blocks.
The Weight of Gold: Inspiration in Every Huddle
The sheer presence of a living legend within the coaching staff is, predictably, an immense source of inspiration for the young athletes. Brazil has brought two men’s and two women’s pairs to Puebla, and those in the qualifying rounds have already shown impressive early form. Take Eduardo Barbosa (Dudu) and Gabriel De Oliveira, who have navigated their initial matches with a composure that belies their age and experience.
“We have a lot of confidence, because we have an Olympic champion with us,” Dudu affirmed after an impressive win. “He is a player that we are inspired by, so we are very, very happy to have him with us.” This isn`t just about admiration; it`s about the tangible benefits of learning from the best. “He gives us a lot of technical and tactical ideas. He is an inspiration not only as a blocker and as a player, but also as a person.”
A Familiar Face Across the Net: Coaching Rivals, Enduring Friendships
The unfolding events in Puebla gained an intriguing layer when Alison`s Brazilian contingent faced the USA team, led by none other than his long-time teammate, Alvaro Filho. This wasn`t merely a former partner; Alvaro was Alison`s Olympic teammate at Tokyo 2020 and his partner in his final professional tournament on the AVP Tour. Their on-court camaraderie has now transformed into a strategic duel from opposite sidelines, adding a unique narrative to the competition.
“My first match was a big challenge, because it was Brazil against USA, and Alvaro Filho is my partner and my friend,” Alison admitted, a subtle blend of professional satisfaction and personal bond evident in his tone. Dudu and Gabriel rose to the occasion, securing a 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) victory over USA`s Jackson Herbert & Bradford Harman. They later demonstrated remarkable resilience with a hard-fought 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 16-14) win against Denmark’s Villads Napier & Hjalmer Madsen, progressing further towards the main draw.
On the women`s side, Marcela Barbosa & Maria Clara also commenced their tournament strongly, delivering a solid 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) victory over Canada`s Sophie Hancock & Emma Cudmore. Their success further underscores the positive influence Alison Cerutti is having across the entire Brazilian youth contingent.
The Road Ahead: A Coach`s Undetermined Path
With a successful inaugural competition day as an international coach, the natural question arises: is this a permanent career shift for Alison Cerutti? “I don’t know. It is my first tournament. I like it, so maybe I am here to stay…” His response, delivered with characteristic humility, leaves the future open-ended. For now, the “Mammoth” is content to guide, to inspire, and to witness the burgeoning talent that will undoubtedly carry the torch of beach volleyball forward for Brazil and the world. Puebla may very well be the opening chapter in Alison Cerutti’s next legendary story, not as a player, but as the quiet architect of future champions.
