The Paraguayan Beach Handball Circuit finished for the season at the end of February, with large crowds looking on as Villa Hayes and Olimpia were crowned the champions of the men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively.
The event was held in Villa Hayes, a city in the semi-arid Chaco region of the country. It was the first time the host, a team with mostly younger players, appeared at the tournament. They won the final match against the Beach Boys 2:1, having beat Roque Alonso, the fourth place team, 2:0 in the semi-finals. The Brazukas came in third place, taking the last spot on the podium.
In the women’s tournament, Olimpia defeated the Brazukas 2:1 in the semifinals, then went on to face Villa Hayes, winning the match in straight sets and taking home the championship title.
Olimpia was also the only team to represent Paraguay at the inaugural South and Central American Beach Handball Club Championship in both the men’s and women’s divisions, held from March 1st to 3rd in Argentina. They’re from Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, the largest city in the country, and one of the oldest cities in South America. Sitting on the banks of the Paraguay River, and with the Bay of Asunción to its northwest, the area is known for its beautiful beaches.
Villa Hayes’ success on the circuit this year, despite being a relatively new team on the Paraguayan beach handball scene, demonstrates the particular appeal of this sport to young people, especially in South America, following its appearance at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We’re looking forward to watching what this team does next!
