Guatemala’s Men’s and Women’s Rugby 7’s teams both won Gold at the Central American Games. Taking place in Managua, Nicaragua the Guatemalans were undefeated in both the Women’s and Men’s competitions. Guatemala won all of their matches, doing so against Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The 2017 Central American Games (Juegos Deportivos Centroamericanos) is the 11th of history of the Juegos Deportivos Centroamericanos. It is, however, the first to feature Rugby 7’s.
For a Tournament Preview click here.
To Access the Player Rosters click here.
For Day One Results click here.
For Women’s 7’s Day Two Results click here.
As was the case in the Women’s tournament the Gold Medal would be dispute by Guatemala and Costa Rica. Both countries were undefeated on day one and their round-robin clash was the final fixture of the first phase.
Guatemala started day two strongly. Los Jaguares accounted easily for Nicaragua, winning 31-0. Costa Rica also had an impressive beginning to day two. Their 46-0 win over Honduras set-up the match against Guatemala as a genuine Gold Medal Preview.
In the round-robin clash Guatemala delivered. Los Jaguares dominated the match, winning 24-0. Before they met again in the tournament final Nicaragua and El Salvador faced-off in the Bronze Final. The home nation gave the supporters reason to cheer as they won 29-0. Guatemala then overcame Costa Rica 17-7 to win Gold.
The 2021 Central American Games are to be played in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. In addition to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all returning it is possible that Belize and Panama will compete in Rugby 7’s at the Games.
Day Two Results
El Salvador 24-14 Honduras
Guatemala 31-0 Nicaragua
Costa Rica 46-0 Honduras
El Salvador 19-17 Honduras
Guatemala 24-0 Costa Rica
Bronze Final: Nicaragua 29-10 El Salvador
Gold Final: Guatemala 17-7 Costa Rica
Medals
Gold: Guatemala
Silver: Costa Rica
Bronze: Nicaragua
Final Placings
1 Guatemala
2 Costa Rica
3 Nicaragua
4 El Salvador
5 Honduras
Special report with collaboration from Luis Felipe González, Rugby News Centroamérica.