Australian Institute of Sport beach volleyball athletes Becchara Palmer and Louise Bawden have performed magnificently, claiming the silver medal in the women’s final of the Mazury Open, which took place in Stare Jablonki, Poland, on Saturday 8 August, as part of the Swatch FIVB World Tour.

Palmer and Bawden put up a great fight against world number ones Juliana Silva and Larissa Franca from Brazil, who defeated the Australians in two sets (21 to 14 and 21 to 16) in 38 minutes. The second seeded Brazilian team of Talita Antunes and Maria Antonelli claimed the bronze medal.

The Australian pair, who were the Mazury Open’s number 26 seeds, won eight out of ten of their matches, which included contests against other higher-ranked opponents from Germany, Brazil and Austria, to reach the final.

‘We were thrilled to be on the podium today with two of the best teams in the world,’ said Bowden. ‘I never imagined I would get a medal this year. My biggest hope was just playing well with a chance to finish in the top nine at an event.’

Bowden’s partner, Becchara Palmer, was named the most outstanding player at the women’s Mazury Open.