Guatemala confirms its dominance

SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua , October 20, 2013 – Guatemala’s Andy Leonardo and Erick Garrido were strong in attack to maintain the hegemony at the  XIII Central American Championship by winning 21-18, 21-15 over Esteban Escobar/Jonathan Guevara of Costa Rica-1.

In the semifinals, Leonardo and Garrido won 23-21, 21-16 over Julio Recinos/ Luis Garcia in a duel between Guatemalans. Meanwhile, Escobar/Guevara recovered of losing the first set to win 15-21, 21-17, 15-13 over El Salvador’s Carlos Talavera and David Vargas.

In the battle for third place, Recinos/Garcia won 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) against Talavera/Vargas.

In the quarterfinals, Costa Rica-1 (Escobar/Guevara) won 2-1 (21-19, 20-22, 15-11) over Gerald Umana/Henry Hernandez of Nicaragua-2, and Recinos/Garcia overcame Ruben Mora/Miguel Lopez of Nicaragua-1 2-0 (21-18, 21-13).

"The level of Central America is becoming more equalized, most of our teams play in the NORCECA Circuit and that helps us to raise the level. We have work more in the physical part to go after more in the tournaments outside the region,” Garrido said.

Regarding San Juan del Sur as the site of the tournament, Garrido said: " I ​​fell in love since I arrived here, I liked, it is tourism, it is beautiful, and has many positive things to keep doing tournaments here."