Diu, May 26 -- 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 South Indian state's dominance in this sport is a routine affair; however, one story 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. On Friday, the duo also won the silver medal in the men's volleyball tournament at the inaugural KIBG.

"We live on the beach. I...