Brazilian athlete Bruno Romano Cosendey Marques experienced a demanding 2025, representing his country in both indoor and beach volleyball. He competed at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ Under 19 World Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under 18 World Championship in Doha, Qatar, making for a remarkably busy summer season.
Despite his dedicated efforts, the 17-year-old didn`t achieve his desired outcomes in either competition. In Tashkent, Brazil was eliminated by the eventual champions France in the Round of 16. In Doha, the Dutch team of Sven van Groenestein and Mees Huisman defeated Marques` team in a closely contested 2-1 match (19-21, 21-17, 13-15) during the Round of 24.
Even with these early exits, and despite Brazil`s typically high expectations in both volleyball disciplines, Bruno remains resilient and positive.
“It wasn`t what we hoped for, but that`s how volleyball goes — sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. We need to accept it, learn from our experiences, and aim for better results in upcoming tournaments,” commented Bruno, who celebrated his 17th birthday on October 5th while en route to Qatar.
The tournament in Doha marked the official debut of Bruno and his new beach volleyball partner, George Henrique Sabeh Isernhagen. Despite their early elimination, the pair showcased promising potential, securing four victories across the qualification and main draw stages. Their second-place finish in Pool C, widely regarded as a formidable “Group of Death,” advanced them to the Round of 24 before their journey was ultimately ended by the Dutch team.
“Playing with George was fantastic; we complement each other perfectly on the court,” Bruno, the third of four siblings, explained. “He`s an excellent blocker, and I excel at defense, which makes our coordination effortless. Even though we only trained for a few weeks, our chemistry was incredibly strong. I`d love to partner with him again in the future, but for now, I`m focused on resting and preparing for the next season after such a busy summer.”
Following his intense summer competitions, Bruno finds himself at a crucial juncture regarding his athletic future. While he expresses a greater personal enjoyment for beach volleyball, he ultimately envisions a professional career in indoor volleyball, inspired by legendary figures like Brazil`s Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho `Giba`, France`s Earvin N`Gapeth, and the USA`s Torey James DeFalco.
“Indoor volleyball is my priority because my dream is to become a professional player,” stated Bruno, who currently plays for Flamengo in Brazil. “I previously played as a setter and libero, but this year I transitioned to outside hitter. I love this role because it gives me more responsibility and versatility on the court. Having been part of the junior national teams since 2023 and competing in two indoor World Championships (U17 and U19), I feel I`m progressing well.”
For beach volleyball inspiration, Bruno looks no further than his own family; his father, Guilherme Luiz Marques, is a former World Champion (Los Angeles 1997) and Olympic Games bronze medalist (Barcelona 1992).
With a smile, Bruno shared, “I enjoy beach volleyball because it allows me more contact with the ball and greater self-expression. My father is a huge inspiration — he was my first coach, my hero, and my role model. I`ve watched his old matches; he was a phenomenal player and a World Champion, so I definitely aspire to follow in his footsteps.”
The 188cm outside hitter concluded, “Though they are distinct sports, it`s all volleyball, and it`s what I love. Currently, I lean towards beach volleyball, but my passion for the indoor court remains strong. My ultimate dream is to become a professional volleyball player, whether in beach or indoor, and continue playing this sport I adore at the highest level.”
Oliver Wrenwick