SANTIAGO, Chile, October 20, 2023.- The Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Pan American Games Santiago 2023 will kick off on Saturday at the Beach Volleyball Center in Parque Peñalolén that features two spectacular courts ready for a high-level competition.
The best pairs from the continent come together in pursuit of coveted medals at the Games.
The schedule and competition system were announced to the 32 pairs representing 16 countries in both men’s and women’s, by Ed Drakich, the International Technical Delegate, along with Mushtaque Mohammed and Glenn Quinlan, and Referee Delegate André Trotier.
In the men’s tournament, the local pair Marco and Esteban Grimalt, gold medalists in the last edition of the Games in Lima, will once again face Mexican Juan Virgen, the silver medalist, and Nicolás Capogrosso of Argentina, the bronze medalist.
In women, the golden duo from Lima 2019, Pardon/Cook of the USA, won’t be defending their title, but Corinne Quiggle and Sarah Murphy will represent the United States. Ana Gallay/Fernanda Pereira from Argentina are the only medalists from the 2019 Pan American Games (silver) aiming for a podium finish again.
Brazilian powerhouse Ana Patrícia/Duda Brazil, 2022 World Champions and silver medalists at the recent 2023 World Championship in Tlaxcala, are determined to carry Brazil back to the top of the podium, a feat the South American country hasn’t achieved since 2011 (Brazil finished third in 2015 and 2019).
The Canadian duo of Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana Paredes appears to be strong contenders. Both competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with different partners. Melissa made her Pan American Games debut in Toronto 2015. Melissa and Brandie are bringing experience and will push win a medal for Canada after many years.
Schedule for Saturday, October 21
Women’s Matches
Brandie/Melissa (CAN) will face Bianchi/Acuña from Uruguay at 10:30 a.m. on Court 1.
Followed by, Quiggle/Murphy (USA) against Allcca/Gaona from Peru on Court 2. Erika/Michelle (PAR) will play against Payano/Almanzar (DOM) on Court 2 at 11:30 a.m.
Gallay/Pereira (ARG) will face N. Girón/Alvarado (PANAM) on Court 1 at 12:00 p.m.
In the second block of women’s matches:
Ana Patrícia/Duda (BRA) will face Soler/Molina (ESA) at 4:30 p.m. on Court 2. Gutierrez/Flores (MEX) will compete against Karelys/Ariana (ECU) on Court 1 at 5:00 p.m.
Gonzalez/Navas (PUR) will face Diana/Margarita G (COL) on Court 2 at 5:30 p.m. The local pair, Rivas Zapata/Chris (CHI), will compete against Williams/Quesada (CRC) on Court 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Men’s Matches
MacNeil/Russell (CAN) will face León/Marcos (ECU) on Court 2 at 12:30 p.m. Smith/Webber (USA) will play against Salvatierra/Calvo (BOL) on Court 1 at 1:00 p.m.
Capogrosso N/Capogrosso T (ARG) will compete against D. Dyner/Varela (CRC) on Court 2 at 1:30 p.m. Hannibal/Llambías (URU) will face Blanco/García (PANAM) on Court 1 at 2:00 p.m.
Later in the day:
Sarabia/Virgen (MEX) will compete against Giuliano/Gonzalo (PAR) on Court 1 at 6:00 p.m.
George/Andre (BRA) will face Guatemala/Flores (ESA) on Court 2 at 6:30 p.m. Diaz/Alayo (CUB) will compete against Noriega/Murray (COL) on Court 2 at 7:30 p.m. Grimalt M./Grimalt E. (CHI) will face Mora/Lopez (NCA) on Court 1 at 8:00 p.m.
Pool Distribution
Women
Pool A: Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica
Pool B: United States, Argentina, PANAM SPORT (Guatemala), Peru
Pool C: Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, El Salvador
Pool D: Canada, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Uruguay
Men
Pool A: Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Nicaragua
Pool B: United States, Uruguay, PANAM SPORT (Guatemala), Bolivia
Pool C: Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, El Salvador
Pool D: Canada, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador
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