Paul Hohenauer and Martin Poinstingl claimed the gold medal in beach volleyball at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, delivering the Austrian Olympic Committee its first medal of the tournament. The duo, both U18 European champions, secured the victory in a tightly contested final, becoming the latest Austrian athletes to reach the podium at the event held in Senegal.
The match against the German team remained competitive throughout. The Austrians took the opening set 22-20, while Germany responded to win the second set 21-13. In the deciding third set, the Austrian pair maintained their focus under pressure, ultimately clinching the match with a decisive block from Hohenauer.
Hohenauer and Poinstingl secure victory through preparation
Hohenauer noted that the team’s success was built on thorough preparation. The pair spent time analyzing their opponents’ gameplay, which allowed them to enter the final with a clearer tactical plan. “We know each other well, and we analyzed them extensively yesterday and today,” Hohenauer said following the win. He added that the pressure of the final set fell on the world champions, allowing him and Poinstingl to play with more freedom.
For Poinstingl, the gold medal represents a recovery from a challenging season. The 17-year-old dealt with a long-term injury earlier in the year, which limited his participation until he regained fitness just in time for the European Championships. “I was injured for a long time, got fit just in time for the European Championship, and now I am standing here as a Youth Olympic champion,” Poinstingl said.
Building on Austrian youth success
“Our boys received better and played better in the third set, which allowed them to keep the pressure high,” Leitner stated. He emphasized that the tournament featured competitors from major volleyball nations, including Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Germany, and France, making the result a notable achievement for the Austrian program.
The medal is the third for the Austrian delegation in Dakar. Earlier in the week, Selina Wögerer earned a bronze medal in the women’s 78-kilogram judo competition, and rowers Alena Lux and Lukas Schönbacher secured silver in the beach sprint event on Monday.
Next steps for the Austrian youth squad
The Youth Olympic Games in Dakar continue with further events across the Austrian delegation’s roster, which includes athletes competing in track and field, cycling, fencing, swimming, table tennis, and gymnastics. Paul Hohenauer, who turns 17 on November 19, and Martin Poinstingl remain among the athletes currently representing the country in Senegal as the games proceed.
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