Talita won her second Queen of the Beach title, having previously won it in 2008

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11 February, 2013 – Talita Antunes has shown that she will be a force to be reckoned with in 2013 by winning the Queen of the Beach title at Ipanema Beach.

The 30-year-old Talita, who last year finished on the FIVB World Tour podium four times with 2010’s Queen of the Beach Maria Antonelli, teamed up with Rebecca to beat Vivian and Maria Elisa by two sets to zero, 21-15, 21-12.

It is the second time in her career that Talita has won the title and she was quick to praise her partner for the tournament.

"Rebecca did a lot for me; we both played big games and kept calm,” Talita said. “Five years on from winning it before, it is great to win the title again this season. I had luck on my side and am happy that I produced my best today. Next year I'll try again.”

Talita will be playing with a new partner in 2013, after she and Maria Antonelli ended a partnership that dated back to the start of the 2009 season. Rebecca has yet to make her debut on the World Tour having played in the Youth and Junior World Championships over the past three years.

"It was wonderful playing alongside the Queen of the Beach,” Rebecca said. “I think I played well and did not feel any pressure. I was very happy to have been invited by Talita to play the final."

Vivian was out to retain the title that she won in 2012, but she was unable to match Talita’s and Rebecca’s intensity after she spent the last six months off the court recovering from a herniated disc.

"I really felt the strain and the heat was stronger today,” Vivian said. “Yesterday I managed to come through and won all three games, but today was not a good day. I’m happy to have reached the final and considering I was coming back from injury, I think it went well."

The Queen of the Beach was played by eight players, divided into two groups. Talita, Juliana, Rebecca and Barbara Seixas were in Group A, while Vivian, Maria Elisa, Lili and Taiana competed in group B.

Queen of Brazilian Beach Volleyball winners
2013 – Talita Antunes
2012 – Vivian Cunha
2011 – Larissa Franca
2010 – Maria Elisa Antonelli
2009 – Sandra Pires
2008 – Talita Antunes
2007 – Larissa Franca
2006 – Shaylyn Bede
2005 – Juliana Felisberta
2004 – Vanilda Leão
2003 – Shaylyn Bede
2002 – Ana Paula Connelly
2001 – Sandra Pires
2000 – Sandra Pires
1999 – Shelda Bede

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