A number of national teams took part in the 2023 edition of ‘The Puerto Rico Government Department of Recreation and Sport (Departamento de Recreación y Deportes – DRD) International Beach Handball Tournament’ held at the Carolina Public Beach in the north-east of Puerto Rico last weekend (8-10 September).

The men’s competition saw six national teams (USA, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and two Puerto Rico representative sides) compete, while the women’s national teams of Mexico, USA, Canada and Puerto Rico were joined by the USA-based Orlando Brasil team.

And it was the Orlando Brasil team, made up of a number of Brazilian internationals, who dominated the women’s competition, beating Puerto Rico in the final 2-0. The USA won bronze thanks to an 8:6 shoot-out win over Mexico.

Mexico’s men did take a medal, but it was bittersweet, a silver after losing the final to the USA 0-2. Trinidad & Tobago won bronze, seeing off Canada in the 3/4 placement match.

The event concluded with a closing ceremony featuring awards given to the best players, along with medals and trophies to the winning teams.

With 11 teams competing at a high standard in Puerto Rico, the sport continues to grow in the North America and The Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) region.

“The competitiveness of the games between hosts Puerto Rico and Mexico, as well as Canada and Trinidad & Tobago, each having sets decided by one shot, is testament to the level of growth of beach handball within the NACHC,” explained the USA’s men’s national team player Ebiye Jeremy Udo-Udoma to ihf.info after the event.

“As the lone, consistent world tournament representative from the NACHC region since its formation, we strive to continually raise the bar for our continent on the global stage and I believe we demonstrated the level of our class in this competition.

“Everyone involved in the NACHC hopes to see a continual increase in the number of international beach handball competitions in our region as we build towards future, global events.”

Rankings

Women’s Competition

1          Orlando Brasil
2          Puerto Rico
3          United States of America
4          Mexico
5          Canada

Men’s Competition

1          United States of America
2          Mexico
3          Trinidad & Tobago
4          Puerto Rico A 
5          Canada
6          Puerto Rico B

Photo credit: Departamento de Recreacion y Deportes - DRD