Emanuel, the most successful beach volleyball player since the FIVB tour began in earnest 20 years ago, will retire at age 42 later this month, according to Brazilian reports.
Emanuel will reportedly make next week’s FIVB World Tour Grand Slam in Rio de Janeiro his final event.
Emanuel and veteran partner Ricardo were passed over in September when Brazil named its two Olympic men’s beach volleyball teams for the Rio Olympics.
Emanuel competed in all five previous Olympic beach volleyball tournaments, taking gold in 2004, bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012. He also won World Championships in 1999, 2003 and 2011 with three different partners.
He also won a record 76 FIVB international tour events in a record 254 appearances going into this season, the last title in 2012.
That’s 19 more tour titles than the leading woman, active Brazilian Larissa. Three-time Olympic champion Kerri Walsh Jennings has 50 wins in 106 appearances.
Karch Kiraly, who captured Olympic indoor gold in 1984 and 1988 and beach gold in 1996, won 122 domestic AVP tournaments during his career.
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