Biography
André Stein was born in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil. He grew up playing in the streets and in the sand of his backyard. He and his older brother, Lucas, attended private school throughout their childhood, as their mother, Lílian Loyola, was a teacher, and their father, Adamastor Stein, managed a distribution company.
From an early age, André showed great skill in sports, easily learning and executing movements. At school, he practiced all possible sports and often stood out among his peers, leading one of his first physical education teachers to invite him to train and compete in basketball tournaments at age 12.
While prioritizing basketball training, André continued to play handball and volleyball at school simply because he enjoyed it. His natural talent and height made him even more prominent in these sports.
At age 15, standing 1.90 meters tall, he was invited to train volleyball at a social project near his church in Guaranhuns called "Vôlei Vida." This marked the beginning of his passion for volleyball and the realization that he could pursue a career as a professional athlete.
André quickly advanced in the sport and was soon called to the Espírito Santo State Team. He also had the opportunity to play for clubs in São Paulo.
In 2013, at age 18, André received an invitation from coach Leandro Brachola to train in beach volleyball. André accepted the offer for two main reasons: the training sessions were held in his hometown, Vila Velha, allowing him to be closer to his family and friends, and he had the opportunity to attend college on a full scholarship.
Starting out in this new sport was challenging, especially physically. The sand and the sun became his main adversaries, but in a short time, André adapted. He first appeared on the national scene in under-21 tournaments. Although he didn’t achieve any standout results initially, he caught the attention of Brazilian national team coaches due to his impressive reach in attacking and blocking.
Starting out in this new sport was challenging, especially physically. The sand and the sun became his main adversaries, but in a short time, André adapted. He first appeared on the national scene in under-21 tournaments. Although he didn’t achieve any standout results initially, he caught the attention of Brazilian national team coaches due to his impressive reach in attacking and blocking.
A year after his debut in beach volleyball, André represented Brazil in the U21 World Championship and began competing in the qualifiers for the Brazilian adult circuit. In 2015, he secured entry into the Open, where Brazil’s top teams compete. In January 2016, alongside Oscar, he won his first national title. They soon went on to win a South American Championship and a World Tour event, drawing the attention of Olympic champion Ricardo, who invited André to form a partnership.
In 2017, André teamed up with Evandro, and in their very first tournament together, they won a silver medal on the World Tour. That year, André became the youngest athlete to win the World Championship, in Vienna. Together, they also claimed the season titles in both the World and Brazilian Tours, as well as other medals.
Since then, André and George have won three Brazilian Tour seasons and multiple medals on the World Tour, including a bronze medal at the World Cup in Rome in 2022.
In 2018, André decided to join Olympic champion Alison, returning to the team that had trained him, once again close to friends and family. Dissatisfied with the results of the partnership, André ended it and invited George to aim for an Olympic spot in 2020. In a short time, they earned two medals on the World Tour, though it was not enough to secure the spot.
As the favored duo in Brazil’s Olympic race, André and George maintained consistent results in 2023, including winning the Pan American Games title, and secured their place for Paris 2024!
Main Titles
World Cup Champion – Vienna 2017
World Tour Champion – 2017
Pan American Champion – Chile 2023
Five-time South American Champion
Four-time Brazilian Champion
Two-time SuperPraia Champion – 2018 and 2019
45 medals in the Brazilian Tour – 23 gold
24 medals in the World Tour – 8 gold