The 2017 Juegos Bolivarianos are almost here. Rugby’s inclusion in the regional sporting event highlights the growing status of the oval game.
Played every four years the Juegos Bolivarianos is a highly important event for the countries liberated by Simón Bolivar. This year’s competition is to be played in the Colombian city of Santa Barbara and will have both men’s and women’s rugby 7’s. categories. They are to do so from November 20-22.
Competing in the women’s division will be four countries. Hosts Colombia will be joined by Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.
The host nation enter the competition as tournament favorites. This is based on previous results which include Colombia qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. They did so by defeating Paraguay 22-0 and Peru 41-0 and also getting wins over Chile and Uruguay.
Questions remain unanswered as to how the three remaining participants are likely to finish. Venezuela, though, enteres as the team most likely to challenge Colombia. Indeed at the Olympic qualifies Venezuela defeated Peru 34-0 and Paraguay 12-7. They also overpowered Chile, winning 21-0.
COLOMBIA
Nicole Acevedo, Isabel Romero, Sara Montoya, Catalina Arango, Carmen Ibarra, Solangie Delgado, Camila Lopera, Sara Florez, Sharon Acevedo, Laura Mejía Diosa, Daniela Moncada, Katherine Medina
PARAGUAY
Paula Denis, Lucero Viveros, Claudia Fernandez, Mariela Gamba, Ingrid Alfonso, Natalia Justiniano, Estela Servin, Cinthia Cristaldo, Liliana Ovelar, Aracelli Nicolini, Elodia Meza, Giulietta Romero
PERU
Andrea Masias Ortega, Beatriz Orcotoma Guizado, Karolina Vergara Henderson, Lucy Granda Alvarado, Maria Gracia Dominguez, Melissa Vargas de la Jara, Michelle Flores Cordero, Rosemary Quesada, Natalia Correa Cornejo, Lieneke Ratto Schol, Raysa Gonzales Ruiz, Allison Pereyra Pachas
VENEZUELA
Cristy Angeli Egido Siricusa, Jetsy Andreina Ferrera, Ana Michel Fernández, Maryoly Pernia Gamez, Carla Marina Lanzarote, Yolanda José Perez Yanes, Mariana Carolina Romero, Alexa Isabel Paul, Caren Aridni Gutierrez Parra, Nardelys Alekandra Alvarado Mendoza, Marriany Yolimar Izarza Castillo, Moureen Jhoanna Baloa Perez