Erik Flores and Wagner Chacon two time AFECAVOL U-21 Champions

PUERTO JIMENEZ, Costa Rica, September 3, 2017. - Erik Flores and Wagner Chacon of Guatemala won the AFECAVOL U-21 Men’s Beach Volleyball Central American Championship for the second time at the tenth edition in Playa Preciosa of Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica.

Erik and Wagner retire from this age-group category winning their second consecutive U-21 championship defeating for the second occasion Denis Lopez and Jefferson Cascante of Nicaragua-1 with a comeback win of 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-12).

Both teams performed with powerful spikes, keen defense and accurate serves. Denis and Jefferson won the first set taking advantage of several consecutive errors by Erik and Wagner who battled strong as points came back and forth. In set two, Erik was able to knockout Nicaragua’s concentration with blocking, while Wagner scored on several occasions. Denis and Jefferson weren’t able to recover from Guatemala’s advantage in set three.

Erik said to be very happy with the victory for Guatemala, “I am very proud to give my country positive news as we are living difficult political moments in Guatemala. I was hoping to reach the gold medal match, for me it had a good level and I am glad to retire from this category as the title holder”.

“We want to thank the crowd’s support and that of the rest of the teams here, also a special thanks to our families and to everyone back home that makes it possible for us to represent Guatemala. We really enjoyed playing for the gold and move to the next category as champions” said Wagner.

Erik and Wagner also played three sets in their semifinal and also came from behind to defeat Costa Rica-1 of Nicolas Velluti and Fabian Guerra by 2-1 (17-21, 21-10, 15-9). Denis and Jefferson outplayed countrymen Christopher Cascante/Hernán Jiménez 2-0 (21-17, 21-15)

In the bronze medal match, Velluti and Guerra (CRC1) prevailed 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) over Cascante/Jiménez (NCA2).

Final Ranking: 1. GUA Erik Gerardo Flores/Wagner Arnulfo Chacon (GUA); 2. NCA-1 Denis José Lopez/Jefferson de Jesus Cascante; 3. CRC-1 Jean Nicolas Velluti/Fabian Guerra; 4. NCA-2 Christopher Josue Cascante/Hernan José Jiménez; 5. CRC-2 Allan Jafet Obando/Alexandre Lezcano; 6. HON-2 Irvin Armando Reyes/Adonis Eduardo Rodríguez; 7. ESA-1 Josue Andrés Palma/Walter René Martinez; 8. HON-1 Brandon Daniel Sánchez/Bradley Johel Sánchez; 9. ESA-2 Christopher Armando Guardado/Yoel Alejandro Guardado; 10. BIZ-2 Anselmo Andrés Rivero/Clifford Wallace Barrow; 11. BIZ-1 Gabriel Eduardo Nuñez/Ernan Ganney Caliz;

Men’s Results Day 3 Sunday September/3:

9/10: ESA2 d BIZ2 2-0 (21-8, 21-19); 5/8: HON2 d HON1 (21-18, 21-11); CRC2 d ESA1 (21-15, 21-13); 7/8: ESA1 d HON1 2-1 (21-19, 16-21, 15-13); 5/6: CRC2 d HON2 2-1 (19-21, 21-14, 23-21); SF1: GUA d CRC1 2-1 (17-21, 21-10, 15-9); SF2: NCA1 d NCA2 2-0 (21-17, 21-15); Bronze: CRC1 d NCA2 2-0 (21-18, 21-17); Gold: GUA d NCA1 2-1 (18-21, 21-18, 15-12).