Gustavs Auziņš set to represent RSU at the World University Championship after winning the U22 European Championship title

Photo: Courtesy of FIVB

At the end of the season, beach volleyball player and Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Academy of Sport student Gustavs Auziņš continues to gain international competition experience. Last weekend, together with Kristians Fokerots, he claimed the U22 European Championship title, concluding his U-level career with a full set of European Championship medals. From 17 to 21 September, Gustavs will represent RSU at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Championship in Beach Volleyball in Portugal.

The U22 European Championship was one of the season’s main goals, so he was both happy and relieved following the decisive victory.

‘The first emotion I felt was relief. Of course, there was joy too, but more than anything, it was relief that it was over. These championships have required a lot of hard work. That is why it is so satisfying to finally achieve this result and collect a full set of medals,’ says Gustavs.

After winning the European Championship title, an athlete has to be able to shift their focus to the next tournament. Gustavs admits that this is not easy. ‘My focus and physical condition were geared specifically towards this tournament, which was my main event of the season. But we have also played four tournaments in a row this summer, so I am used to that pace. Of course, I need to focus on recovery so that I feel comfortable again for the next tournament.’

Combining sports with studies at the RSU Academy of Sport

Alongside high-level sport, Gustavs is continuing his studies at the RSU Academy of Sport. The new academic year is only just getting into full swing, but balancing sport and studies requires careful time management and the ability to keep up with his studies even during an intense period of competition.

‘The academic year is only just getting up to speed, so things are fairly quiet at the moment. I have got some great classmates who help me understand what is covered in lectures, but I am keeping up with the assignments and lecture material myself,’ says Gustavs.

His coach, Mārtiņš Pļaviņš, plays an important role in his athletic development. Pļaviņš honed his professional expertise through bachelor’s and master’s studies at the RSU Academy of Sport and now contributes to the RSU national research programme Sports. In this way, RSU’s academic environment and sporting expertise are also brought together in athletes’ day-to-day training.

First competition with Markuss Graudelis in Portugal

The FISU World University Championship in Beach Volleyball will be Gustavs’ next challenge, taking place from 17 to 21 September in Portugal. In the tournament, RSU will be represented by Gustavs Auziņš and Markuss Graudelis.

For Gustavs, this will be a new challenge in terms of partnership, as the two athletes have not played together in a competition before.

‘To be honest, I have not set a specific goal. I would just like to enjoy the tournament and gain experience. Markuss and I have not played together before, so it is hard to predict what to expect. We will just go there, play and, hopefully, everything will work out well,’ says Gustavs.

The FISU World University Championship will bring together student-athletes from over 20 countries. Gustavs and Markuss will have a chance to play against some of the strongest university players from different countries in Portugal and gain further international competition experience.

More about the FISU World University Championship