Diminutive Brazilian Shelda Bruno Bede of Brazil may be small, but her impact on the FIVB Beach Volleyball Circuit is larger than life. The 29-year-old and her partner Adriana Behar are superb athletes who have been making a double imprint on the sport since the mid-1990's and all indications are that they have no intention of dropping out of circulation.
Now 29 and just 165cm tall, Shelda hails from Fortaleza in the North of Brazil and started playing Beach Volleyball when she turned 20, after a number of years playing indoors. Small as she is, this bundle of energy and muscle is a big star on Court and watching her play, it is easy to see why. Often called "Shelda the Cat" because of her agility, she covers the court with feline grace and crouches catlike before elevating herself into the air in one of her now trademark jumps. She is swift and a fearless and relentlessly goes after her opponents, making her a perfect match for the athletic skills of partner Adriana Behar. Indeed the two have spent seven successful years together, raking up 27 gold medals in 62 tournaments. Even Sandra Pires, compatriot star in her own right, refers to the duo as the best team ever on the Beach.