Beach season well underway in Argentina as 2024 circuit commences

The fifth edition of the Argentina Beach Handball Circuit (Circuito Argentino de Beach Handball) launched last weekend (13–14 January) with its first of seventh stages – also known as 'Arena 1000' events – in the Chubut province city of Puerto Madryn.

With senior and youth men's and women's events lined up for the rest of the circuit, the first stage consisted of a men's senior competition only.

And it was Cumehue Azul de Trelew who were crowned champions after winning the final 2-0 against Miter de Viedma at the Visite Madryn Beach Sports Point, the win also seeing them qualify for the 2025 edition of the Copa Argentina. Home team Grilli beat Muzio from Trelew 2-1 to claim bronze.

After launching in 2020, the circuit has gone from strength-to-strength, combined with the national 'Copa Argentina' cup competition.

Results – Stage 1: Puerto Madryn

Saturday 13 January
Muzio vs Grilli de Puerto Madryn 0-2
Deportivo Miter de Viedma (Río Negro) vs Cumehue Azul 2-1
Muzio vs Deportivo Miter de Viedma 1-2
Cumehue Azul vs Grilli de Puerto Madryn 2-1

Sunday 14 January
Deportivo Miter de Viedma (vs Grilli de Puerto Madry 2-0
Cumehue Azul vs Muzio 2-1
3/4 Placement: Grilli de Puerto Madryn vs Muzio 2-1
Final: Deportivo Miter de Viedma vs Cumehue Azul 0-2

2024 Argentina Beach Circuit – Dates

• 12–14 January: Puerto Madryn (Chubut Province)
• 19–21 January: Viedma (Rio Negro)
• 26–28 January: Neuquén (Confluencia)
• 9–11 February: Córdoba (Córdoba)
• 16–18 February: San Juan (San Juan)
• 23–25 February: Oberá (Misiones)
• 1–3 March: Necochea (Buenos Aires)

Copa Argentina in February

Next month, from Thursday 1 to Saturday 4 February, the 2024 edition of the 'Copa Argentina' (Argentina Cup) will take place in the province of Neuquén.

Featuring competitions for both youth and senior teams the event will see senior women's side and three-time Argentina champions IFES Fly Summer from Neuquén and senior men's side Sol de Mayo from Río Negro defend their titles.

Patagonian Beach Circuit

Earlier this month the Patagonian Beach Handball Circuit returned for its 18th edition with an event in front of over 2,500 spectators on El Cóndor beach in Rio Negro featuring 15 teams (9 men's, 6 women's) battling it out across 33 matches.

'Goon Squad' from San Fernando won the men's tournament, defeating 'Sol de Mayo' in a shoot-out, while 'Only Beach' from Viedma won the women's edition after defeating Deportivo Miter Negro.

The event was supported by the Patagonia Arena Sports Foundation and the Ministry of Human Development, Sports and Culture, with the Patagonian circuit stopping next in General Roca (February 16-18) before concluding in Las Grutas (March 1-3).

Preparing for Dakar 2026

Following their double-medal success at the first-ever beach handball competition of the Youth Olympic Games, on home sand in Buenos Aires in 2018, Argentina are already well underway with their plans for the next edition, Dakar 2026 in Senegal.

In early December (1–3), Leticia Brunati, Coordinator of the Beach Handball Teams for the Argentina Handball Federation – and gold medal-winning coach of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games women's side – oversaw a beach handball talent identification camp in the south of the country for players born in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 categories.

No previous experience was needed for those in attendance at the camp which also saw former national team player and now coach of the women's national youth team Celeste Meccia alongside current men's national team player Nicolas Millet in attendance amongst others.

For further information on beach handball in Argentina, click here.

Photo credit: Federacion Chubutense de Balonmano