Having missed the finals of the last beach volleyball tournament of the Brazilian Circuit in Foz de Iguazu, Ana Paula and Shelda are preparing for the next stage in Campo Grande.

Apart from the title in Campo Grande, the duo's main objective is focused on gaining rhythm and confidence. The purpose is to win one of the two spots available for Brazil in this year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

"Without a doubt, we need to gain rhythm. We've already gone through the anxiety and the expectations placed on us. Now we have to focus on playing the best that we can," said Shelda with the knowledge that the competition in Campo Grande will be their last tournament in Brazil before they head off to take part in the World Circuit.

"Next week we will be heading out for Australia to begin our fight for one of the Olympic spots," added Shelda, the five-time world champion.

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2008)