Brazilian women beach volleyball player Talita Antunes said Tuesday she and her partner would fight for gold medal by enjoying the matches at the Beijing Olympics.
"We'll get the gold medal in Beijing. But it's more important to enjoy the matches. We'll play in relax." The player told Xinhua before she began a training session in the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball ground.
Antunes and partner Renata Ribeiro, placing sixth on the Olympic qualification standing, will be the first time to compete at the Olympics.
The pair is winner of five FIVB World Tour gold medals and is one of the title favorites at the Beijing Olympics.
"We can defeat anyone. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh (of the United States) are strong, but let's play and see," the 26-year-old Brazilian said.
Antunes won the 2008 "Queen of the Beach" title in Brazil and was named the FIVB World Tour top rookie in 2005.
Beach volleyball competition at the Beijing Games is believed by coaches and players to be fierce and top-ranked teams could also be eliminated as most teams are at almost the same level.
Preliminary round competitions of Beijing Olympics beach volleyball run through August 9 to 14, followed by elimination matches from August 15 to 22.
(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)