Martins Plavins still competing at 41 in Adelaide; longevity amid a faster sport.
Martins Plavins: 41 is just a number – FIVB
At 41, most players are long gone from the sand. Martins Plavins is still on it, still competing, still evolving and still finding ways to match a game that keeps getting younger around him. From Olympic bronze in London to today’s fast, high-powered era, he has not simply lasted, but adapted, sharpened and stayed relevant, proving that longevity at the highest level is not about holding on, but about moving forward.
Born on 8 May 1985 in Riga, Plavins has built a career that stretches across more than two decades, evolving alongside the sport itself. His journey has effectively spanned three distinct eras of beach volleyball, from the early World Tour years before 2010 to his Olympic peak in 2012, and into today’s faster and more dynamic Beach Pro Tour environment.
He reaches this stage of his career with the same clarity that has defined it from the beginning, anchored in a simple but uncompromising standard. There is no shift in expectation, no lowering of ambition.
“For me as an athlete, there is no other level, only Elite,” the Latvian said.
That standard is built on daily discipline. There are no shortcuts, and no space for inconsistency in a routine that demands constant attention.
“The biggest key is to work on your body every day. If I stop and rest more than my body needs, I won’t get back,” he said.
Over time, that commitment has evolved. What once meant long days on the sand has become a more structured system, where each session is planned and controlled.
“When I’m home, I have five gym sessions per week,” Plavins explained. “Sometimes harder, sometimes not so hard, but I always start my day with the gym. Why five? Because I also need two days to rest. When I was in my twenties, I spent all my day on the beach, playing and improving there.”
The shift reflects a deeper understanding of what it takes to sustain performance across decades. Strength now sits at the centre of his preparation, supported by recovery and injury prevention.
“All these things are really important, even more important than beach practices,” the Olympic medallist said. “Strength sessions are my number one priority, but I can’t do that without proper recovery and injury prevention sessions, so I listen to my body and what I need most on that day.”
That awareness carries into competition, where preparation does not stop once matches begin. Recovery is treated with the same importance as training.
“Some core exercises, some exercises to activate my legs, sometimes something for my shoulders and stretching for mobility,” he said. “After games, I use the swimming pool or the sea to relax my body.”
Managing a long and demanding season requires discipline as much as structure, particularly when consistency is not always easy to maintain.
“To keep my body in good shape all year is impossible, especially if I play a lot,” he added. “That is why I need five gym sessions, and I try to make it a habit, because I don’t always want to go to the gym. And of course, good sleep and useful food. No alcohol.”
At the World Championships in Adelaide, Martins Plavins still gives it all on defence.
If the physical demands have changed, his understanding of the game has only deepened. Experience now plays a decisive role in how he reads situations and manages matches.
“Experience gives me some advantages,” Plavins said. “It helps me to make the right decision at the right moment. And it also helps me to tell my partner what to do and when to do it.”
His rise on the international stage was marked early by a statement result at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where he and his partner defeated world No.1 pair Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, announcing themselves as contenders. Four years later, alongside Janis Smedins, he secured Latvia’s first Olympic medal in beach volleyball with bronze at London 2012, a result that remains one of the country’s most iconic achievements in the sport.
More than a decade on, his success has continued across generations, highlighted by European Games gold in 2015 and a European Championship title in 2024, underlining a rare longevity that has seen him compete at three Olympic Games across 2008, 2012 and 2020.
That role becomes even more important alongside a younger generation, where his composure complements physical strength.
“Kristians is very talented and he jumps really high, so he helps our team to slow down opponents if they are physically strong,” he noted.
The sport itself has evolved, becoming faster and more aggressive, with new tactical demands across all aspects of play.
“Now the top players are younger, with better ball control, and the game has become much faster with fewer shots over the block,” he said. “Every team tries to attack on two and use jump sets, so it’s harder to play defence without a good serve. And also the float serve is more aggressive.”
In response, his approach has shifted inward, placing greater emphasis on preparation, control and mental clarity.
“Of course, my approach has changed,” he said. “I need more time to get my body ready for the game. If it’s possible, I go to the gym to do my routine. I also don’t analyse our opponents. I concentrate only on myself. If my body feels good and my mind is calm, I have a chance to win.”
Across that journey, his partnerships have reflected each phase of his career, from building his presence on tour to reaching the podium and now guiding the next generation.
Today, he competes alongside Fokerots, a player nearly two decades younger, forming a pairing that bridges experience and athleticism. It is a dynamic that reflects his role in the sport today, not only as a competitor but as a link between generations, continuing to perform at elite level while helping shape the future of Latvian beach volleyball.
Martins Plavins and Kristians Fokerots at the Beach Pro Tour Elite in Hamburg.
That clarity is reinforced by a strong sense of independence, built over years of competing at the highest level.
“I know what I want and I know what I need, and I don’t need anyone else’s approval to do that,” Plavins said.
If there are reminders of his age, they tend to come from across the net. They rarely go unnoticed and often have the opposite effect.
“I feel the age difference only when someone tells me or asks about it,” he said. “There are some players who call me ‘old guy’, but it only gives me extra motivation to meet them on court and beat them. I never forget these kinds of comments.”
That competitive edge remains closely tied to the reason he continues to compete.
“Love for the game. And I have a really good partner,” he said.
It is a motivation that still comes alive most clearly in matches against the very best.
“I enjoy every second on court, especially if on the other side are the best players in the world and I can ‘bite’ them,” Plavins said. “There is one more level that I’m ready to play, and that is with my daughters, and that’s it.”
As he looks ahead into the future, his ambitions remain focused on what is possible.
“Today I would say LA 2028 for sure,” he said. “As long as I have my family’s support and Kristians (Fokerots) wants to play with me, I believe that we will be there, and who knows.”
For younger players aiming to build long careers, his advice reflects the habits that have sustained him for more than two decades.
“Start loving your body now. Treat your body accordingly,” he said. “Don’t be like others, be unique and love what you do.”
Martins Plavins: 41 is just a number
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