The Brazilian women and Uruguayan men have won their respective competitions at the fifth edition of the South American Beach Games in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Beach handball took place from 14 to 17 July at the El Rodadero Multisport Park, with the Games event wrapping up with a closing ceremony later this week, on Friday 21 July.

Uruguay men improve on 2019 result to take title

Uruguay won four of their five games on their way to the title 2-0, only being taken to a shoot-out once by Venezuela in their final preliminary group game.

In total, nine teams played 22 games in the men’s competition, with the initial stage seeing two preliminary groups. Argentina in group A won all four games to finish top, closely followed by Chile in second. Title-holders Brazil, with a much-changed squad missing some key players, lost two of their group games – against Argentina and Chile – to finish third and miss out on a medal chance.

In the smaller group B, Uruguay with three wins from three, moved through to the semi-finals, where they were joined by runners-up Venezuela.

The knock-out games proved one-sided with Argentina squeezing past Venezuela 7:2 in their shoot-out semi-final win the only tight encounter. Uruguay overcame Chile with ease 2-0 (17:10, 20:14) in their last four matches.

The Chilean side were able to recover in their bronze medal match, defeating the Venezuelans 2-0 (20:18, 22:16). The final itself saw Uruguay move up one medal from 2019, with a comfortable 2-0 (26:20, 22:18) victory.

Argentina women dethroned by Brazil

After a historic defeat of Brazil back on home sand in 2019 at the last South American Beach Games, title-holders Argentina could not defend their crown, losing against perennial rivals Brazil in the final, who won all five of their games on the way to the top of the podium.

The women’s competition at Santa Marta 2023 featured seven teams split across two groups, with 14 games played in the same format as the men’s competition.

With two wins from two in their preliminary group, Argentina topped group A, followed by Venezuela, who only needed a win against Chile in the group of three to join the Argentinean side in the semi-finals.

In Group B, with their perfect record, Brazil went through to the last four as group winners, joined by Uruguay, who won three of their four games.

While Brazil saw off Venezuela with ease in their semi-final 2-0 (19:12, 17:10), Argentina had a nervy match against Uruguay, losing the first set, before bouncing back and securing a medal with a 7:4 shoot-out win. The Uruguayans did enough to recover for a medal, seeing off Venezuela for bronze, but needing a 7:4 shoot-out win to do it.

And so it was a repeat of the 2019 final, but instead of Argentina winning via a shoot-out like they did four years ago (7:6), it was Brazil who won instead (7:4) after their rivals missed their third and fourth attempts. Like her winning point which secured the first set, it was down to Brazilian newcomer, 21-year-old, left back Mariane Guimaraes to score the single point to decide the title and she did – 2-1 (19:18, 12:14, SO 7:4).

Final ranking

Men

1. Uruguay

2. Argentina

3. Chile

4. Venezuela, 5. Brazil, 6. Paraguay, 7. Colombia, 8. Ecuador

Women

1. Brazil

2. Argentina

3. Uruguay

4. Venezuela, 5. Paraguay, 6. Chile, 7. Colombia

For more information on Santa Marta 2023 visit: https://www.santamarta2023.com/

Photo: @surasantamarta2023