IFES women continue Argentina beach dominance

The third edition of the Argentina Beach Handball Circuit (Circuito de Argentino Beach Handball) concluded this weekend with the 2022 Copa Argentina held in Puerto Madryn, Chubut.

After seven events – also known as ‘Arena 1000’ events – across the South American nation, 28 teams qualified for the grand finale weekend and following 74 matches, the men’s and women’s beach handball champions of Argentina are now known.

The women’s team of IFES de Neuquén (Neuquén) took home their third successive title, defeating Municipalidad de Avellaneda 2:0 in the final, while the men’s side of Rio Negro won their first national title after beating Club Atlético Unión Argentina also 2:0 – they had finished fourth last year and second in 2020.

Gisella Bonomi (IFES) ended as the top scorer in the women’s event (64 points) and Santino Sposito (Sol de Mayo) in the men’s competition with 75 points.

Both the men’s and women’s competitions, featuring a large number of national team players, had seen 14 teams in each competition qualify from the circuit, with 13 in each able to compete in Chubut in an event organised jointly by the Argentinian Handball Confederation (CAH), the Undersecretary of Sports of the Municipality of Puerto Madryn and the Chubut Handball Federation. The finals were broadcast live on DeporTV. 

For the first time, the event acted as a qualification event for the inaugural South and Central American Beach Handball Championship, which will be held in the same city from 1 to 3 March. 

Speaking ahead of the 2022 circuit Argentina men’s national team captain Gonzalo Vieyra stressed the importance of the continental qualification element.

“For all of us, this type of tournament is very important, we need internal competition to grow and the structure of beach handball to be expanded throughout the country,” he said. “But this year, the classification to the SCAHC championship is added which will undoubtedly encourage a greater participation of teams.”

2022 Argentina Beach Handball Circuit
Click on each event to view the full results and rankings

15-16 January: Viedma (Río Negro)

28-30 January: Neuquen

28-30 January: Paraná (Entre Ríos)

4-6 February: Rada Tilly (Chubut)

4-6 February: San Carlos (Mendoza)

4-6 February: Posadas (Misiones)

5-6 February: Lanus (Buenos Aires)

24-27 February: Copa Argentina – Puerto Madryn (Chubut)

Photo: Argentinian Handball Federation