Winning a world title is often seen as a defining moment in an athlete’s life, the kind of achievement that changes everything. Becoming a world champion was not a transformation for Tina Graudina but a confirmation of who she already was.
Graudiņa and partner Anastasija Samoilova had spent years knocking on the door of a major breakthrough. That moment finally arrived at the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, where the Latvian pair produced a memorable run to the gold medal.
“If I compare myself before and after winning the World Championship, I haven’t fundamentally changed as a person,” Graudiņa said. “The World Championship is an amazing achievement, and I’m very happy and proud of it, but it hasn’t changed my core identity. I’m still the same person I’ve always been. If anything, I hope I’ve only grown in a positive way.”
Reaching one of the biggest goals of her career prompted Graudiņa to reflect on what had kept her committed to the sport for so many years.
“Since winning the World Championship, I’ve discovered something new about myself,” Graudiņa said. “The experience actually changed the way I understand who I am, both as an athlete and as a person. I realised just how much I truly love volleyball.”
Looking ahead had always been part of the journey. What surprised Graudiņa was the clarity that came with finally achieving a goal she had pursued for so long.
“Before, I sometimes thought that once I had won a major title or competed at the Olympics, I might start looking for new challenges outside the sport,” she said. “But after becoming a world champion, I understood that I want to keep playing volleyball simply because I genuinely love it.”
Winning the title also reinforced her appreciation for the life she has built through volleyball, one that has taken her around the world and brought both challenges and rewards.
“I love the game and I love the life that comes with it,” Graudiņa said. “Despite all the ups and downs, this is the life I would have wished for myself. That was the biggest realisation I had after winning the World Championship.”
The people who have shared that journey also feature prominently in Graudiņa’s reflections.
“It’s very important to surround yourself with the right people and build the right team,” Graudiņa said. “First and foremost, that means your partner, but also your coach, your family and the people around you.”
Having the right people around her, she believes, has been just as important as any result achieved on the court.
“It matters a lot when they believe in you and support you in reaching your goals,” she said. “Build a strong team around you, work hard, stay focused on your goal, believe in yourself, and enjoy the process.”
While elite sport often celebrates sacrifice and struggle, Graudiņa sees positivity as an equally important part of the equation.
“Because nothing great really comes from pain, frustration or negativity alone,” she said. “You need positivity and the right mindset to move forward and achieve your goals.”
This World Volleyball Day on July 7, celebrate the experiences, values and people that have shaped who you are through volleyball. Share what has helped you stay true to yourself through volleyball using #WorldVolleyballDay.
