Clemens Doppler, Austria's most successful beach volleyball player, will be keeping his flip-flops on from now on.
After 24 years in professional sports, the 2017 Vice World Champion and double European Champion is bringing his remarkable career to a close. The Austrian Championships in Baden next weekend will mark his final tournament on home sand.
Clemens couldn't have chosen a better moment to announce his retirement from beach volleyball, considering that on August 31, 2003, he achieved the first pinnacle of his career – a gold medal at the 2003 Beach Volleyball European Championships in Alanya, alongside his former partner Nik Berger. Clemens continued this triumph and added a second gold medal to his collection in 2007 at the Beach Volleyball European Championships in Valencia, this time with Peter Gartmayer.
In front of the home crowd, Clemens, alongside Alex Horst, achieved perhaps the greatest success of his career: a second place finish at the Beach Volleyball World Championships 2017 on Vienna’s Danube Island.
His greatest successes, besides his nine state championship titles, thus include:
Year
Event
Achievement
2003
European Championships, Alanya
Gold
2007
European Championships, Valencia
Gold
2008
Olympics, Peking
Participation
2010
European Championships, Berlin
Silver
2012
Olympics, London
Participation
2014
European Championships, Cagliari
Bronze
2016
Olympics, Rio
Participation
2016
Porec Major
Silver
2017
World Championships, Vienna
Silver
2017
World Tour Finals, Hamburg
5th place
On behalf of ACTS, we'd like to say:
Dear Clemens, you are not only an exemplary athlete who has embodied the values of elite sports, but you have also contributed significantly to the growth of beach volleyball in Austria, living out the motto "Goosebumps don't lie."
Your unwavering spirit, which remained unbroken even in the face of numerous setbacks and injuries, serves as a source of inspiration for all aspiring athletes. You demonstrate what is possible when one believes in something with passion and determination. Your legacy will accompany and encourage every emerging athlete on their journey.
It's even more beautiful that you will remain connected to beach volleyball as a coach and mentor. Your experiences and wisdom will contribute to shaping and inspiring the next generation of beach volleyball players. Your dedication to this sport is immeasurable, and we are endlessly grateful for everything you have done – on the sand, in the hearts of fans, and within the soul of Austrian beach volleyball.
