Athletes from 14 countries took the sand in stunning sunshine and we didn’t have long to wait until the heat in the sandy circle matched the heat in the air as the competitors treated the crowd to a tremendous opening day.

In the women’s 50kg, 2023 bronze medallist Maia CABRERA (ARG) started slowly as she lost her opening two bouts but recovered to win her third-round match 3-0 over Moran Sanchez YORLENIS MILAGROS (PAN). It was a home sand star who caught the eye as Mariana DIAZ MUNOZ (MEX) won all three of her matches, beating Cabrera in her opener, then Karla Yesenia HERNANDEZ GONZALEZ (ESA) before ending the day with a 3-0 win over the 19-year-old wrestler from Panama.

The women’s 60kg saw Ukrainian Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO make a solid start to her season with two wins as she looks to go one better than the overall silver she won last season. Despite a nervy moment when the referee signalled 3 points to Brazilian Ana Luiza PEREIRA FRANCA in their second-round bout, this was challenged and judged as 1 point. Kravchenko, the only European athlete in this Mexican premiere, took full advantage of this to win 3-2 having been 0-1 and 2-1 down, claiming the win in the last second. Lozano Veytia SUSANA (MEX) also came through the day unbeaten, having had to face a knockout play off to take her place in the rounds proper.

Astrid Paola MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN) made a strong start in the women’s 70kg winning both bouts with little fuss, taking only 58 seconds to record a 3-1 win over Parrado Osorio NICOLL DAYANNA (COL) before dispatching Mexico’s Debanhi Aide TAPIA GARCIA 3-0 in just over 1 minute 20 seconds. Dayanna bounced back from her opening defeat to claim a win of her own in the 2nd round over Alejandra RIVERA ARRIAGA (MEX).

Paris 2024 qualifier, Pan American championship runner-up and 2019 World Beach Games champion, Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) made a triumphant return to the sandy circle in the women’s +70kg division taking two wins from two, beating Maria Fernanda MEJIA RIVERA (MEX) and Venezuelan Acosta MARIA JOSE. Renteria was joined on two wins by Argentinian Linda Marilina MACHUCA who won her opener by tie break courtesy of winning the last point in a 1-1 bout with Atzimba Morelia LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX) before quickly scoring 3 points over another Mexican, Karime Samantha CORTES RESENDIZ.

The men’s 70kg division is set up nicely as the opening day saw three competitors remain unbeaten after the sand settled with Justin BENJAMIN (USA), Albaro RUDECINDO CAMACHO from the Dominican Republic and Colombian Julian Stiven HORTA ACEVEDO all winning their opening two bouts. There were also wins for Brandon disar DÍAZ RAMÍREZ (MEX) and Lovera MAURICIO ALEJANDRO from Argentina so it’s all to grapple for on day 2.

Victor Eduardo HERNANDEZ LUNA made his Beach Wrestling World Series debut in the men’s 80kg and the Mexican can be very pleased with his efforts after the first day as he won his two bouts, including a win over 2023 World Championship Bronze medallist Tyler LOETHEN (USA). Viruet JONATHAN ENDER (PUR) also picked up an opening win over Loethen on his way to 2 wins from his 3 bouts, losing out to Guatemala’s Choc Huoc DAVID ELIAS and getting the better of Cesar Jesus RAMIREZ CASTILLO (MEX).

The men’s 90kg division found Argentinian Jorge Ivan LLANO in great form as he didn’t drop a single point and picked up three wins from three beating Mexican trio Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ, Kevin ozmar DE LEON TREVINO and Carlos De Jesus SALAZAR GOMEZ. All three men picked up wins of their own and it promises to be an intriguing final day in the division.

Diaz Robertti JOSE DANIEL (VEN) and Puerto Rican Jonovan Darius SMITH will be the happiest of the men’s +90kg competitors after the first day both picking up two wins from two, with Jose Daniel triumphing over Ulises De Jesus SANCHEZ ROBLES (MEX) and Gomez RICARDO NAHUEL (ARG). Smith besting Eduardo Maximiliano GARCIA BETANZOS (MEX) 2-0 and winning the tie breaker over Adames Garcia ELISON (DOM) having won the last point in a 1-1 matchup. There were also wins for the wrestler from the Dominican Republic and American Kyle FERRITER.

It’s been an amazing day in Acapulco, and we look forward to the Mexican heat reaching its peak as the first batch of Kings and Queens of the sand are crowned and the medals are handed out.

Watch live on the Beach Wrestling World Series YouTube channel from 10am local time on Sunday for all of the last day’s action if you can’t be sandside for the final day of 2024’s opening stop.