When the golden sands of Diu played host to the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games 2025, it wasn’t just the medals that shone — it was the story of two boys from a fishing hamlet who turned the tide.
A Net Between Boats and Dreams
Robin Ravi and Bharat Somu didn’t grow up in elite training academies or cushioned gyms. Their first court was a stretch of beach framed by fishing nets and catamarans.
What began as a pastime amidst their coastal chores soon transformed into an unstoppable passion. Robin, now 23, picked up the sport at 10, while Bharat joined at 15.
Without formal coaching, drills, or playbooks, they sharpened their instincts through daily practice, much like sculptors chipping away at raw stone. Their court? A sandy patch in Palavakkam that’s now become a proving ground for aspiring beach volleyball athletes.
Making Waves at KIBG 2025
Tamil Nadu continued its longstanding volleyball dominance by winning gold in both men’s and women’s categories. But it was the silver finish of Robin and Bharat that resonated beyond rankings.
Their rise wasn’t sudden — it was shaped by grit. The duo had already bagged a bronze at the 2023 CAVA Continental Cup finals in Bangladesh, setting the stage for what would come next. Competing at KIBG, they didn’t just represent their state — they embodied a new wave of coastal resilience.
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Strength Forged in the Sand
“We live on the beach. It’s our life,” the two said, echoing a sentiment that’s become their secret weapon. The very sands that tire out most players have honed their balance, reflexes, and raw strength.
According to A J Martin Sudhakar, a veteran coach and competition manager at KIBG, coastal communities like Palavakkam possess a natural edge. “They train on sand daily, their endurance is unmatched, and their instincts are sharp,” he said. He believes such local talent can become a powerhouse on the international circuit – if nurtured.
A Movement in the Making
This isn’t just a one-off success story. Villages across Tamil Nadu’s coast–especially districts like Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai–have started to produce national-level players with minimal infrastructure.
Schools in the state now host beach volleyball courts. With visionary leaders like Sudhakar, who also serves on the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Beach Council, Tamil Nadu has positioned itself as a launchpad for Olympic dreams.
Sudhakar puts it succinctly: “Beach volleyball is fast, fierce, and full of flair. It’s time India invests in it fully.”
Eyes on the Olympic Horizon
For Robin and Bharat, the podium is just a checkpoint. Their sights are firmly set on the Olympics, where they hope to represent India with the same barefoot boldness that brought them this far.
Their story is a lighthouse — guiding not just athletes, but administrators, to recognize the untapped gold on India’s coasts. From Palavakkam’s shores to the global stage, their journey is a masterclass on how grit can outplay grooming.
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