BRASILIA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion in Atlanta and bronze medalist in Sydney, Sandra Pires of Brazil won on Monday her thousandth victory in her career as beach volleyball player.

On the side of her longtime partner Ana Paula, she defeated another Brazilian pair Izabel and Taiana by two straight sets (26-24, 21-14) to a qualifying match in the 17th and penultimate stage of the World Circuit of beach volleyball, in Fortaleza, in north-east of Brazil.

"This victory is very special to mark my return to the World Circuit of beach volleyball after two years without playing. It was a challenge", said Sandra after the match.

Sandra Pires was born in 1973. She is one of 14 players to compete in all three Olympic Beach Volleyball competitions.

The 17th stage of the World Circuit of beach volleyball will officially start on Tuesday and will finish on Sunday. Players from about 30 countries participate in this tournament.