While the European men’s clubs play in the LEN and the national competitions, and the best female national teams prepare for the World Cup Division 1, four Pan American water polo Championships in water polo are underway in Brazil.
The city of Bauru in the Sao Paolo state is currently hosting the male and female Pan American Open Championships and the Pan American Championships for the U17 teams.
Three men’s and four women’s senior teams have started their battles at the Pan American Open Water Polo Championships. These two tournaments are the qualifications for this year’s World Championships in Fukuoka and for the final of the World Cup Division 2 in Berlin. Neither the male nor female team of the USA participate in the Championships in Bauru. They are in Division 1 of the World Cup, and both teams have already qualified for the Fukuoka Championships.
The champions and silver medalists will qualify for the World Championships and earn the right to participate in the World Cup tournament in Berlin.
The Pan American U17 Championships is the qualifying tournament for the next year’s World U18 Championships. The competition is stronger here. Seven female and eight male teams have taken part in the U17 tournament. According to the World Aquatics’ rules, the top five from each tournament will represent the Americas at the 2024 World U18 Championships.
All four Championships in Bauru are at halfway.
2023 Pan American Water Polo Championships, Bauru
Men’s tournament
Round 1
Canada – Brazil 13:12 (3:1, 4:6, 3:3, 3:2)
Canada: Solemanipak 4,Halajian 2, Patterson 2, Djerkovic 1, Constantin-Bicari 1, Cote 1, O’Donnell 1,Joudrie 1.
Brazil: R. Vergara 3, Guimaraes 3, P.Vergara 2, Miazza 2, Cabral 1, Silva 1.
Round 2
Canada – Argentina 12:13 (3:4, 1:3, 4:3, 4:3)
Canada: Solemanipak 3, Halajian 2, Patterson 1, Djerkovic 1, Constantin-Bicati 1, Blanchard 1, Cote 1, Gardijan 1.
Argentina:Camnasio 4, Galimberti 3, Soler 2, Bonomo 1,Tilati 1, Echenique 1, Corsi 1.
Round 3
Brazil – Argentina 12:9 (2:1, 4:2, 6:1, 2:5)
Brazil:R.Vergara 3, Ricardo Silva 3, Guimaraes 2, Freiras 1, Maizza 1, P.Vergara 1, Sojo 1.
Argentina: Camnasio 4, Corsi 3, Echenique 2.
Although only three teams participate, it’s still hard to predict the final standings of the men’s tournament. After three days, each team has three points.
Canada narrowly defeated Brazil in the first game of the tournament. In the first two periods, neither of the sides could build a 2-goal lead. Midway through the third quarter, the hosts went to 9:7. At the finish of this period, Brazil led 10:9. Canada then went on a 4:0 run to earn a 13:10 advantage in the 27th minute. After Canada’s 4:0 series, Brazil netted two consecutive goals and cut the deficit to 12:13 with 03:52 minutes left on the clock. Neither team was able to score in the remaining time. Both teams missed three man-ups apiece in the last three and a half minutes and Canada kept the win.
Photo Luiza Moraes / CBDA / PanAm
The result was the same in the second match, but Canada was the losing team this time. Argentina pulled off a surprising 13:12 victory. Argentina had a 3-goal lead (7:4) at the half. ), It stretched the margin to four (10:6) four minutes after the middle break. However, Canada came back in the fourth quarter with a 5:1 series. With two and a half minutes before the end, Soleimanipak gave the North Americans a 12:11 lead. But, Argentina leveled the score immediately. Esteban Corsi found the net with 22 seconds remaining on the clock and the South Americans collected all three points with a 13:12 victory.
All photos by Luiza Moraes / CBDA / PanAm
Host Brazil recorded its first win in the last game of the first half of the tournament, beating Argentina. Brazil broke its biggest South American rival in the third quarter. At the middle break, the score was 6:3. Brazil ruled the field in the third quarter. It scored four straight goals and built a 10:3 advantage (the 22nd minute). Argentina reduced the gap to three in the last eight minutes. Brazil won 12:9 and climbed atop the table due to the best goal difference.
Standings: 1. Brazil 3, 2. Canada 3, 3. Argentina 3.
Women’s tournament
Round 1
Brazil – Peru 26:4 (7:0,10:0, 3:1, 7:3)
Brazil: Leao 8, Chiappini 8,Rezende 2, Belorio 2, Dias 2, Bonetti 2, Abla 1, Cavalcante 1.
Peru: E. Lopez 1, A.Lopez 1, Nolasco 1, Sirio 1.
Argentina – Canada 6:19 (2:4, 1:7,1:3, 2:5)
Argentina: Auliel 2, Canda 2, Ribo 1, Riley 1.
Canada: Wright 5, McKelvey 4, Lemay-Lavoie 3, Crevier 2, Mimides 1, Brakoc 1, Paul 1, Cowan 1, Ferguson 1
Round 2
Canada – Brazil 16:12 (4:3, 6:2, 3:2, 3:5)
Canada: McKelvey 4, Wright 3, Bakoc 3, Mimides 1, Crevier 1, Lemay-Lavoie 1, Paul 1
Brazil:Leao 5, Chiappini 3, Abla 2, Rezende 1, Belorio 1.
Peru – Argentina 6:13 (1:1, 2:5,2:2, 1:5)
Peru: A. Lopez 3, D.Torres 2,C.Rodriguez 1.
Argentina: Leonard 3, Agnesina 3, Ribo 1, M. Bacigalupo 1, Auliel 1, Comba 1, Riley 1, A.Bacigalupo 1, Canda 1.
Round 3
Argentina – Brazil 8:9 (2:3, 3:2, 1:2, 2:2)
Argentina: A.Bacigalupo 3, Auliel 2, Canda 2, Leonard 1.
Brazil: Leao 2, Chiappini 2, Belorio 2, Dias 1, Mantelato 1.
Peru – Canada 2:26 (0:4, 0:7, 1:8, 1:7)
Peru: Nieto 1, Rodriguez 1.
Canada: Crevier 6, Bakoc 5, Mimides 3, Lemay-Lavoie 3, Wright 2, McKelvez 2,, Lizotte 1, McDowell 1, Van Dyke 1, Paul 1, Cowan 1.
There haven’t been many thrillers in the women’s tournament so far. Canada finished the group stage unbeaten and entered the semifinals from 1st place.
All photos by Luiza Moraes / CBDA / PanAm
As expected, the Canadians’ biggest challenge in the group was the game against Brazil. Still, the only North American team, earned a 6-goal advantage before the fourth quarter (13:7). The home side played better in the final period, but Canada didn’t let the Brazilians come close. Canada secured three points (16:12) and 1st place.
The most exciting duel of the tournament so far has been a clash between Argentina and Brazil. However, that game has no importance for the standings. Before the first whistle, it was known that Brazil and Argentina would face off in the semifinals again, regardless of the result. Still, the rivals entered the match very motivated. Brazil dictated the pace, but Argentina chased the hosts successfully. Early in the fourth period, Brazil took an 8:6 lead. Argentina leveled at 8:8. Izabela Chiappini scored a winner for Brazil in the last minute.
Standings: 1. Canada 9, 2. Brazil 6, 3. Argentina 3, 4. Peru 0.
Semifinals: Canada – Peru, Brazil – Argentina.
Men’s U17 tournament
GROUP A
Round 1: Colombia – Mexico 20:7, Canada – Argentina 13:10
Round 2: Colombia – Argentina 5:9, Canada – Mexico 22:2
Round 3: Mexico – Argentina 3:25, Canada – Colombia 12:9
Standings: 1. Canada 9, 2. Argentina 6, 3. Colombia 3, 4. Mexico 0.
GROUP B
Round 1: USA – Venezuela 27:3, Brazil – Chile 21:2
Round 2: USA – Chile 23:2, Brazil – Venezuela 23:2
Round 3: Venezuela – Chile 6:7, Brazil – USA 9:15
Standings: 1. USA 9, 2. Brazil 6, 3. Chile 3, 4. Venezuela 0.
The North American teams finished atop the groups. The USA dominated Group B. After very convincing wins over Venezuela and Chile, the Americans beat Brazil by six goals. Still, the hosts kept up with the favorites until the middle of the third period, when the score was 6:6. In the last 12 minutes, Team USA made a 9:3 series for a 15:9 victory.
Canada wasn’t as dominant in Group A as Team USA was in Group B. However, the Canadians claimed 1st place with two fine wins over Argentina and Colombia and a 22:2 victory over Mexico.
Quarterfinals: Argentina – Chile, Colombia – Brazil, Canada – Venezuela, Mexico – USA.
Women’s U17 tournament
Round 1: Mexico – Chile 10:4, USA – Argentina 23:1, Canada – Colombia 15:6
Round 2: USA – Mexico 23:0, Brazil – Argentina 17:7, Canada – Chile 27:5.
Round 3: Canada – USA 4:20, Colombia – Chile 11:2, Brazil – Mexico 16:1.
Round 4: Colombia – USA 4:23, Argentina – Mexico 12:11, Brazil – Canada 13:10.
Round 5: Argentina – Canada 7:16, Chile – USA 1:24, Colombia – Brazil 8:24.
Team USA leads the race in the girls’ tournament, with five wins in as many games. Brazil also has a perfect record, but it has played one match fewer than the Americans. It’ certain that the duel USA – Brazil which team will finish 1st in the group.
Canada will enter the semifinals from position 3, while the battle for 4th place and the last spot in the semifinals will be very interesting in the last two games.
Standings: 1. USA 15 points (5 games), 2. Brazil 12 (4), 3. Canada 9 (5), 4. Mexico 3 (4), 5. Colombia 3 (4), 6. Argentina 3 (4), 7. Chile 0 (4).
