Ana Gallay and Norisbeth Agudo were the first women in their countries to play beach volleyball at the Olympics, but only one of the two will be able to return to the Olympics in 2021 as Argentina and Venezuela are set to meet on the last day of the South American Continental Cup in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Argentina and Venezuela on to the final in Asuncion
The two countries will compete for the South American spot at the Tokyo Olympics
Published 12:56, 27 Jun 2021
Argentinean Gallay, a two-time Olympian, and Venezuelan Agudo, who represented Venezuela at the Rio 2016 Games, led their countries to victory in the best-of-five matches semifinal series on Saturday and will have to step up again in the tournament’s decider on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Gallay and partner Fernanda Pereyra were instrumental in Argentina’s 3-1 semifinal victory over hosts Paraguay as they won both of their matches. Cecilia Peralta and Brenda Churrin won one of their two games and that was enough to push Argentina to the final.
Agudo and partner Gabriela Brito were arguably even more influential in Venezuela’s success as they won the golden set after their country and Colombia split the first four matches. Agudo and Brito came back from a 12-9 deficit against Andrea Galindo and Diana Rios to win 18-16 and keep their dreams alive.
“Winning this tough semifinal against Colombia was the first step,” the 29-year-old Agudo said. “Both of their teams are really strong but we prepared well and came here with a lot of confidence in our team.”
China and Japan to clash in Asia
Either China or Japan will be able to send two women’s teams to Tokyo as the countries will face each other on the last day of the Asian Continental Cup Finals in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. The Japanese were awarded a berth as the Olympic host country, and assigned it to Miki Ishii and Megumi Murakami, while the Chinese saw Fan Wang and Xinyi Xia qualify via the Olympic rankings.
Japan had a solid day in Thailand, eliminating the hosts with a pair of wins. Akiko Hasegawa and Azusa Futami started the work with a 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-9) victory over Varapatsorn Radarong/Naraphornrapat Taravadee and Chiyo Suzuki and Yurika Sakaguchi finished it, downing Tanarattha Udomchavee/Worapeerachayakorn K. in two sets (21-14, 21-18).
Japan swept Thailand on their semifinal meeting (Photo: AVC)
Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Chen Xue and her partner Xinxin Wang had a Herculean job to get China through. With their teammates Shuhui Wen and Jingzhe Wang injured, China had to forfeit a match, but Xue and Wang won the other two against Australia, both against Olympians Nicole Laird and Becchara Palmer. The Chinese prevailed in the first 2-1 (21-12, 20-22, 15-13) and won the second also in three sets (19-21, 21-10, 15-11).
Cuba and Mexico to play for NORCECA’s ticket
In Colima, Mexico, it will be down to the hosts and Cuba to decide which country from the North, Central American and the Caribbean (NORCECA) region will get to compete in Tokyo after both nations emerged victorious in their semifinal matchups on Saturday.
The Cubans had a more challenging path against Puerto Rico but advanced after Leila Martinez and Maylen Deliz defeated Lara Toruella and Lina Bernier 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) and Lidianny ‘Lidy’ Echevarria and Yanisleydis Sanchez prevailed over Maria Gonzalez and Allanis Navas in three sets (19-21, 21-17, 15-8).
The Mexicans had a lighter day with both of their teams ousting Guatemala with straight-set victories. Veterans Martha Revuelta and Zaira Orellana started well with a 21-19, 21-15 victory over Estefanie Bethancourt and Natalia Giron and youngsters Susana Torres and Maria Jose Quintero finished even better, posting a 21-7, 21-10 win over Paola Alvarado and Ana Sofia Arevalo.
Nigeria and Kenya play for historic Olympic qualification
After South Africa in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, Mauritius in London 2012 and Egypt in Rio 2016, Africa is set to have a new women’s representative at the Olympics as Nigeria and Kenya advanced to the deciding meeting of the region’s Continental Cup Finals, which are played in Agadir, Morocco.
The Kenyans survived a tough battle with hosts Morocco and saw their top team of Gaudencia Makhumicha and Blaque win two matches to guarantee their country in the final. They first beat Alexandra Erhart/Mahassine Siad 2-1 (12-21, 21-18, 15-8) and then repeated the score (21-19, 16-21, 16-14) against Imane Yakki/Imane Zeroual.
Kenya's squad poses after their semifinal win (Photo: CAVB)
The Nigerians advanced due to the disqualification of Egypt following one member of their team testing positive for Covid-19. The country is represented by Francisca Ikhiede/Amara and Tochukwu Nnoruga/Albertina in the event.
