From 27 to 29 July, the ‘IHF Beach Handball Showcase’ will take place on the fringes of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Three men’s and three women’s All-star Teams, plus the French men’s and women’s national teams will play Beach Handball games across three days coached by six world-renowned, medal-laden coaches.

In total, 64 (32 men, 32 women) of the world’s best Beach Handball players from 18 countries will feature, including players from Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Fance, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Islamic Republic of Iran, Netherlands, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, United States of America and Uruguay.

In a special series of question and answers, IHF.info hears from players and coaches selected for the showcase. This time, it is 2018 Youth Olympic Games medallist Domingo Luis Mosquera, one of the players at the event in Paris.

IHF.info: How do you feel to be selected for this event?

Domingo Luis Mosquera: For me, it's a dream. When I started playing with my friends at Rinconcillo Beach, I never thought that I would play in a tournament like this. It means another step toward the Olympic dream of Beach Handball. 

IHF.info: Tell us about your Beach Handball career and your highlights so far…

Domingo Luis Mosquera: I started playing beach handball when I was 13 years old, and I'm still playing 10 years later with the same passion as I did when I was a kid.

In Beach Handball, I have always played for my city club, BMP Algeciras. I began playing with the national team at the age of 15 in the youth categories. I have been with the senior national team since 2019.

My greatest success in Beach Handball has been with the national teams. In 2018, with the youth team, we won the gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

Last year, in 2023, with the senior national team, we won the gold medal at the European Games in Poland. Additionally, I have won other important medals, in the youth categories two European golds, and one world gold in the senior category I have won one ANOC World Beach Games silver medal.

IHF.info: What do you love about Beach Handball? / How does Beach Handball make you feel?

Domingo Luis Mosquera: One of the most enjoyable aspects of Beach Handball is the positive energy it fosters within the sport. In national tournaments like the (Spanish) Arena Handball Tour and international ones, everyone knows each other, creating a sense of camaraderie among individuals from different nationalities.

IHF.info: What are your hopes for the future of Beach Handball and the Olympic Games?

Domingo Luis Mosquera: I hope that Beach Handball becomes a new discipline in the Olympic Games in the near future, but I believe we are on the right path. This dream began with the Youth Olympic Games and gained momentum with The World Games and the European Games.

I am fortunate to have participated in all three tournaments and will also compete in the showcase event in Paris. Why not aim for the Olympic Games?

IHF.info: What would you say to anyone who has never played or watched Beach Handball and is thinking of getting involved with the sport?

Domingo Luis Mosquera: As a spectator, Beach Handball offers thrilling and adrenaline-filled moments because it is a dynamic and spectacular sport where there's never a dull moment.

As a player, the sport instils values such as discipline, camaraderie, and competitiveness.

Additionally, it provides a sense of happiness when enjoying the combination of good times, sportsmanship, friends, and the beach.

The IHF Beach Handball Showcase is a collaborative effort between the IHF, Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP2024), French Handball Federation (FFHB) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).