Bello brothers' 2024 in review

It started with training in the wind, rain and cold of the Barnes Elms Sports Complex and ended with an appearance at BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. In an incredible 12 months in between, the Bellos brothers have come a very long way. 

Some excellent results at the back end of 2023 saw the England pair put themselves in with an outside chance of making the Olympic Games a full four years ahead of schedule. 

And while that particular Paris dream was, in the end, not to be, it only served to strengthen their resolve and saw them end the year in sensational style. 

In winning the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 in Rio, coming through the qualifying rounds and then sweeping past all comers to take the title, the pair created English volleyball history and recorded what is widely regarded as the greatest ever volleyball result for a team from there shores. 

Their triumph also underlined to all that their increasingly promising results were no fluke, and that they are here to stay at the top level. 

As if that needed emphasising any further, the twins then claimed a third-placed spot on the Beach Pro Tour Challenger event in Nuvali, The Philippines, despite coming just days after their emotinally and physically draining triumph in Brazil. 

And still there was more to come. After being given a wildcard entry to the BPT Tour Finals in Doha, they impressed everyone by coming within a whisker of beating the summer’s Olympic champions Ahman and Hellvig and also defeating Brazilian world number-seven ranked pair Evandro and Arthur of Brazil. 

There have been other terrific results and moments too, finishing as runners-up at the FISU World University Games and taking a podium spot at the BPT Challenger in Recife in March, not to mention playing in their home city of London at the Queen & King of the Court Showcase – the first time a major volleyball event had been staged in the UK since the London 2012 Olympics. 

That progress has contributed to them reaching a career-high 15th in the world as they prepare to welcome in the New Year, meaning it is little wonder that they are pleased with their progress. 

That said, they know the job is not yet finished and that there is still more to come. 2025, they hope, will bring even better things.  

“We had some big breakthroughs already last season (2023), and we wanted to take another step forward this year and push the limits of what is possible,” said Javier. “We’re really happy that we were able to do that. 

“The best part has been finishing the season on a high, ranked 15th in the world and competing head-to-head with the best teams in the world at the Beach Pro Tour Finals.  

“Getting to play on that stage in Doha was a great reward for our progress over the last four years.” 

Not surprisingly, it is Rio, and the Elite 16 victory, that the brothers rank as their number one highlight. 

After coming through two tough qualifying rounds, they beat both Van de Velde and Immers and Pedro and Arthur on the way to topping a keenly-contested group. 

A win over long-time nemeses Popov and Reznik in the quarter-finals preceded arguably the performance and result of their year as they ousted Olympic bronze medallists Mol and Sorum in the semis after coming back from a set down. 

They also did it the hard way in the final against the Capogrosso brothers, gritting their teeth and turning the match around after dropping the first set, saving match points along the way. 

Joaquin said: “For sure, our Elite 16 gold was the most special moment, because of what it meant to our team and for England to be at the top of the highest podium for the first time.  

“It was the biggest reward for many years of hard work and overcoming challenges, and we are glad to have given a moment of celebration and inspiration for all our fans and the volleyball community.” 

As ever, the Bellos are quick to pay tribute to the support network of their family, with dad Luis by their side as coach. 

Despite all the success that has come their way, they have not forgotten the things that have always been most important to them. 

“Having our family support system has been the biggest reason for our success,” said Javier. 

“We would not be able to play beach volleyball without their amazing efforts, and especially our dad who has made huge sacrifices and done a tremendous job as our volunteer coach.” 

Another highlight for the Bellos was the European Championships in The Nertherlands, which followed on from last year’s event in Vienna when they became the first British pair to reach the quarter-finals and eventually claimed fifth spot. 

This time they had to settle for a ninth-place finish, but nevertheless still enjoyed the tournament. 

Joaquin said: “One of our best memories was sharing another amazing European Championship journey with our friends and family. 

“It was emotional (again) and we hope we can get a medal next year and make it even better!” 

While having a short break at Christmas, the brothers already have one eye on what is to come once the action restarts, with the worlds in Australia next November a definite aim. 

There is also a desire to improve their performance levels and, with it, continue to challenge the very best players on a regular basis. 

We want to continue our success on the Beach Pro Tour and to be able to qualify for the World Championships at the end of the season,” said Javier. 

“We know that we still need to gather significant support to realise our potential and gain more medals in the highest competitions (Elite 16s, European and World Championships). 

“We have a lot to continue improving in all areas of the game, to consolidate our strengths and improve our weaknesses. Beach volleyball is always evolving and that will keep us busy!” 

Images by Beach Volleyball World/VBTV and @shootaquickset

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