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Argentina made history in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday by securing titles in both the men’s and women’s Beach Rugby competitions. The men successfully defended their title while the women ended Brazil’s hegemony in completing a first ever tournament victory in Ipanema.
Played under the scorching heat of 40 degrees celsius, the 2018 Beach Rugby tournament pushed the athletes to the limit. For those in attendance it was similarly difficult and the action itself gave the locals both high and low moments.
In the opening match of the day Uruguay’s men won a low-scoring match 7-6 against Brazil. It was followed by the same fixture but this time in the women’s division. This time Brazil were victorious, claiming an 11-3 victory.
Argentina’s men and women opened their campaigns in style. Both teams came out on top against Uruguay and Brazil.
In the second half of the competition Brazil would open with men’s and women’s wins over Uruguay. The 7-6 men’s win being a match which went down to the wire.
Argentina then returned for the final four matches of the day. The return was four wins with Argentina’s men and women getting the better of both Brazil and Uruguay for a second time. In the final fixture a 6-3 win saw Brazil’s women officially dethroned for the first time in tournament history.
First played in 2014 Brazil’s women were winners every year from 2014-2017. Argentina’s men won the title in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. Uruguay’s men were winners in 2016.
