Robin ravi

Tamil Nadu State Volleyball Association: Volleyball powerhouse Tamil Nadu became champions in both men’s and women’s categories at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 in Diu. The dominance of the South Indian state in this sport is a routine affair; one story however stood out from the sand courts – the rise of beach volleyball players from the state’s fishing hamlets.

Two athletes in particular, Robin Ravi, 23, and Bharat Somu, 22, have emerged from the Palavakkam coastal community to represent India at international events like the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Continental Cup finals in Bangladesh in 2023, winning bronze. The duo also won the silver medal in the men’s volleyball tournament at the inaugural KIBG on Friday.

"We live on the beach. It’s our life. Walking, working, and playing on the sand is second nature to us," Robin and Bharat said unanimously. Their journey, like many others in the fisherman community, began by watching seniors play volleyball in nearby makeshift courts. Both players started young – Robin at 10 and Bharat at 15. With no formal coaching in the beginning, they learned through observation and passion.