For Paris 2024, it will surely be a bit tight, but who says we won't see "manbol" in Los Angeles or Brisbane for the next Olympic Games?
In any case, this is the wish that drives the Brazilian federation of this little-known sport.
It all started with a funny activity started by Rui Hildebrando who, as a child, had fun with his brother throwing mangoes at each other at the same time, one having to catch the fruit thrown by the other before it fell through. land in their native Amazon.
This pastime has been transformed into a real sport, practiced in several regions of Brazil, with very specific rules.
And the mangoes have been replaced by oval balloons.
Lands built on Copacabana beach
“Manbol”, as this curious discipline has been called, has made its way to the famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, where many outdoor sports are practiced.
On the warm sand, the playing area resembles a beach volleyball court, of which there are dozens in Rio.
It is a rectangle ten meters long and five meters wide, demarcated by blue ropes, with a net in the middle.
Except that the polyurethane object that flies above this net is not round, but oval, the size of a mango, or about three times smaller than a rugby ball.
The "manbol" tests the players' reflexes: as the balls are thrown simultaneously, you have to catch the one coming from the opponent just after having sent your own.
“At first, it was a simple game between us, my brother Rogério would throw me a mango and I would throw it back at him.
But, after a while, I said to myself that it would be more fun if we each threw a mango at the same time,” says Rui Hildebrando, now 44 years old.
Rui Hildebrando is the creator of this sport which has more and more fans in Brazil.
Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP AFP or licensors
Seeing the two teenagers engaging in these ultra-fast games in Belem, in the state of Para, those around them quickly got involved in the game. Rui Hildebrando then decided to create rules and choose the ideal equipment for the practice of this sport officially born in 2004, when he founded the Brazilian Manbol Confederation.
The rules are simple: like volleyball, you score a point if the ball passed over the net falls into the other camp, or if the opponent sends it out of bounds.
If both score in the same rally, the point is replayed.
To win the match, you must win two sets of twelve points.
You can play singles, doubles, or even three players on each side, and each game generally lasts 15 to 25 minutes.
Already more than 2,000 followers nationwide
“It’s a very dynamic sport, and the fact that there are two balls makes it a lot of fun.
It’s tiring, but with a little practice, you can really enjoy yourself,” enthuses Adriana Mathias, a 46-year-old physical education teacher who has been practicing “manbol” since 2007. In Copacabana, some passers-by interrupt their walk to witness some exchanges.
“What caught my attention was that it requires great mobility.
It seemed interesting to me and I decided to take a look,” says Beti Biaggi, a 53-year-old physiotherapist.
This sport has around 2,000 followers, with regional federations in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Para (north), Ceara (northeast) and in the federal district of Brasilia, assures Rui Hildebrando, who also reports demonstrations in 11 countries in Europe, Asia and South America.
“Manbol” therefore still remains relatively confidential in Brazil, a huge country of more than 200 million inhabitants, but it was officially recognized as a “sporting discipline” by the Belem municipal council in 2016.
This sport is played on a surface equivalent to a volleyball court.
Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP AFP or licensors
It was even presented by local authorities to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during an official visit to this city which will host the COP30, the United Nations climate conference, in 2025.
“It is an inclusive sport, which can be practiced by people of all ages and social classes.
It works several physical aspects, including reflexes and agility.
Manbol has everything to grow
,
” predicts Katia Lessa, president of the Rio “manbol” Federation.
She dreams of seeing her sport become an Olympic discipline, even if it is light years away from the popularity of football or volleyball in Brazil.