The inaugurual Women's IHF Nations Trophy South American Zone was played in Lima, Peru, from 2 to 6 September 2026, bringing together Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela.

Uruguay went undefeated in four matches to clinch the trophy, after delivering a 19:15 win in the final against Chile. The two finalists secured their place in the 2026 South and Central America Women’s Handball Championship, which will take place later this year.

The seven participating teams were divided into two groups, one of four teams and one of three teams, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals.

In Group A, Chile were the dominant force, sealing three wins in three matches, outplaying their opponents. First, they took a 45:10 win against Ecuador, following up with a 33:15 win against Venezuela and a 34:12 win against Colombia, as their coach, Ramiro Montoya, generally used all his available players in the squad, rotating as much as possible.

Venezuela finished second and secured their tickets for the semi-finals, after a 27:17 win against Colombia and a 38:9 win against Ecuador, with a strong attacking and defensive display in both matches.

In Group B, Uruguay, the team which represented South and Central America at the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, ended up first, with clear wins over Bolivia, 46:8, and hosts Peru, 40:10.

Peru went to the semi-finals, opening their account with another clear win against Bolivia, 34:19.

Uruguay and Chile then went on to deliver clear wins in the semi-finals to book their place into the final. The former side beat Venezuela, 32:15, while the latter dominated Peru, 42:13, as the two favourites booked their places for the 2026 South and Central America Women’s Handball Championship.

The final was the most balanced game of the competition in terms of quality. First, Chile took off with a 6:1 run between the seventh and the 25th minutes, constantly frustrating Uruguay in defence.

But was Uruguay woke up, they bridged a 3:0 run between the two halves, to cut the lead to a single goal, 9:8. Runs of 4:1 and 3:0, inspired by Paula Eastman and Sabrina Grieco, the MVP of the final, who both scored five goals in the final, turned the match on its head, with Uruguay finally taking back the lead, 14:13, with 17 minutes to go.

Chile tried to bounce back, but could not maintain the rhythm, as three goals in the last 10 minutes scored by Eastman proved decisive, with Uruguay jumping to a 19:15 win, to secure the maiden title in history at the IHF Nations Trophy.

The bronze medal was secured by Venezeula, which clinched a 28:20 win over hosts Peru. Colombia ended up fifth, after a 39:5 win over Bolivia, while Ecuador finished last.

Chile’s Francisca Andrea Parra Parra was named the MVP of the competition, while Uruguay’s Agustina Modernell was named the top goalkeeper.

Another Chile player, Romina Antonia Ramirez Munoz, was the top scorer, with 26 goals, two more than Venezuela’s Elimar Yuribi Machado Ocanto and three more than Ecuador’s Denisse Alvarado Vera.

As per the rules and regulations of the IHF Nations Trophy, Uruguay and Chile secured their places at the continental championship – the 2026 South and Central America Women’s Handball Championship. Two other sides will qualify via the IHF Nations Trophy – Central America Zone, which is due to take place at the end of September.

Photo credit: Dajhana Romina Prado Merlo / Handball Peru