Nina Brunner, the Swiss beach volleyball defender, announces a career break two months after winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The 28-year-old aims to start a family and will end her nine-year partnership with Tanja Hüberli, who will now pursue new opportunities in the sport. Brunner expresses gratitude for her past achievements while hinting at a possible return to volleyball in the future.

Nina Brunner, the 28-year-old Swiss defender, has announced her decision to take a hiatus from beach volleyball following her remarkable achievement of winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. This announcement marks the end of her nine-year partnership with Tanja Hüberli, thereby allowing Hüberli to explore new opportunities in the sport. Brunner shared that she is looking to start a family, a decision she feels is timely after her marriage two years prior. While she plans to devote time to her studies, friends, and family, she has not completely ruled out a return to professional beach volleyball in the future. Expressing her gratitude for the experiences shared with Hüberli over the past years, Brunner stated, “I want to devote myself to my dream of having my own family and am happy to now have a little more time for my studies, friends and family. If circumstances allow, I can very well imagine returning to top-level sport after a break. In the meantime, I will of course continue to follow Tanja and wish her lots of energy, joy and success.” Hüberli, now 32 years old, remains motivated to continue her career in beach volleyball and is excited about embarking on new projects post-Brunner. The duo’s partnership from 2016 yielded numerous accomplishments, including two Olympic participations and victories at the European Championships. They collectively appeared in 89 tournaments, amassing six golds, six silvers, and nine bronzes, with their final win together at the Hamburg Elite 16 in August. Reflecting on their journey, Brunner stated, “When I think back on the last nine years, everything we’ve experienced, the successes we’ve celebrated, what I’ve learned about myself and especially how often we’ve shared moments of laughter as a team, it fills me with immense gratitude.”

Nina Brunner’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment in her career, following a successful period marked by significant achievements in beach volleyball. Having captured the bronze medal at the recent Paris Olympics, Brunner’s decision to pause her professional pursuits highlights a shift towards personal priorities, such as family and education. The collaboration between Brunner and Hüberli has been significant in Swiss women’s beach volleyball, as they were one of the country’s top pairs and contributed to the sport’s growth and visibility on the international stage. Moreover, with changes in partnerships among Switzerland’s elite beach volleyball teams post-Olympics, Brunner’s departure opens up opportunities for other athletes in the field, including Hüberli, who is eager to continue competing at a high level.

In summary, Nina Brunner’s decision to take a break from competitive beach volleyball signifies a pivotal transition in her life, emphasizing personal aspirations over professional commitments. With a successful partnership with Tanja Hüberli that resulted in numerous accolades, including an Olympic bronze medal, Brunner’s departure allows Hüberli to seek new endeavors in the sport. The road ahead may also see Brunner making a return, should she choose to do so, maintaining a focus on family while expressing gratitude for her athletic journey thus far.

Original Source: en.volleyballworld.com

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