In 2000 Eric’s hard work and unprecedented success in beach volleyball found him in Sydney, Australia, where he achieved one of the most thrilling victories of his life: winning an Olympic gold medal.
The path to victory didn’t come easy and there were many hiccups along the way. Eric and his partner, Dain Blanton, were never expected to win when they arrived in Sydney that summer.
But they never gave up on their quest for Olympic gold
Eric has won at least one tournament per year for seven straight years between 1998 and 2004. Fonoi is a former AVP Most Valuable Player and is in the top 10 in terms of all-time tournaments played. Eric has won all the major opens in beach volleyball including the King of the Beach, Hermosa Beach Open and the Manhattan Beach Open, twice.