The Cunit beach transformed on July 25 into a thrilling venue for the third edition of the ‘King & Queen of the Beach’ tournament, a standout event in the Catalan beach volleyball calendar. This unique competition featured 11 male and 11 female pairs, engaging in an innovative and dynamic format that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final point.

Throughout the day, athletes competed fiercely for the titles of kings and queens of the beach. The initial phase consisted of two groups of up to six pairs; after three qualifying rounds, the top two pairs from each group secured their spots in the grand final. The pairs finishing in third, fourth, and fifth positions contended in a playoff for the last available spot, while the sixth-placed pairs were eliminated. Thus, the finals showcased five pairs in both the men's and women's categories: the top two from Group A, the top two from Group B, and the playoff winner.

The tournament's fast-paced nature was a defining feature, with qualifying rounds played under tight time constraints of 10, 10, and 12 minutes. The final match consisted of three rounds lasting 15 minutes each, where the pair with the lowest score was eliminated after each round until only three pairs remained to contest the crowns. A total prize pool of €5,000 was at stake, with €1,500 for the champions, €700 for the runners-up, and €300 for third place.

In the men's category, Ramiro Sancer and Víctor Salema emerged as dominant forces, claiming the title of ‘Kings of the Beach 2026’ after a high-level final. Pablo Prieto and Xavi Pérez finished second, while Nahuel Tagliaferro and Thibault Torrellas secured third place.

On the women's side, the reigning Catalan champions, Kadri Puri and Erika Kliokmanaite, continued their impressive form. Just a week after defending their Catalan title in Badalona, the duo claimed the crown at Cunit, becoming the new ‘Queens of the Beach 2026’. Carolina Barbosa and Anique Tavenier took second place, with Elia Carpena and Laura García rounding out the women’s podium.

The event captivated the audience with fast-paced matches and constant excitement leading up to the final rounds. The awards ceremony featured notable attendees, including Estefania Serrano, representative of Sports in Tarragona; David Marquínez, councilman of the Cunit City Council; Xavier Lorenzo, councilman of Sports in Cunit; Eduard Torrent, president of the Technical Commission of Refereeing and Game Rules of the FCVb; and Maribel Zamora, president of the Catalan Volleyball Federation, who presented the crowns, trophies, and prizes to the new kings and queens of the beach.