2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games

Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt Win Gold at Home

Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt Win Gold at Home

Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt won the men's beach volleyball gold medal, claiming the top podium spot for the home team at the 2016 Olympics.

Aug 19, 2016 by Megan Kaplon
Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt Win Gold at Home
Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt won the men's beach volleyball gold medal, claiming the top podium spot for the home team at the 2016 Olympics. 

With rain falling throughout the match between Alison and Bruno and Italy's Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo, the Brazilians crawled back from significant deficits in both sets to win the match 21-19, 21-17. 

The final point ended in confusion as the referee called two touches on Italy, and while Bruno and Alison sprinted into the stands to celebrate, Lupo tried in vain to argue with the referees.

Finally, Brazil, whose hopes for hometown gold medalists were dashed in the women's final 24 hours ago, got to celebrate its first beach volleyball gold medal since Ricardo Santos and Emanuel Rego won in 2004. This is only the second beach volleyball gold medal for Brazil in the 20 years since the sport was added to the games.