Columbia win Central American gold

Columbia won gold at last weekend's Central American Games (CASCO) in Veracruz, Mexico. The Games brings together teams from both the Central America and the Caribbean, and it was the former who dominated the competition.

Published by John Birch, December 3rd, 2014

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Columbia win Central American gold

The Central American and Caribbean Games is a multi-sport regional championship held every four years for countries in Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and certain countries in the northern part of South America.

The games are overseen by the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO) and provide an important stepping stone between individual regional events and the Summer Olympics.

With rugby sevens set to make its Olympic debut in Rio in 2016, awareness of the sport and investment in its playing structures and numbers are booming, including in these countries.

Colombia were seen by some as surprise winners of gold at both the women’s and men's sevens competitions, their women beating Venezuela comfortably in the final 24-5.Six women’s teams took part over two days. Colombia had only two tries scored on them all weekend en route to the gold medal match, but it was the try scoring prowess of Sharon Acevedo that caught the attention of fans, as the 21 year old blazed in four tries for twenty points, with Maria Lopera adding a pair of conversions.Mexico and the Caribbean teams have moved on to Mexico City for the North American Caribbean Association sevens championships, which begin today where they will be join by teams from Bermuda, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and St Lucia.

"It has been wonderful to see these countries' men's and women's athletes playing alongside each other on this elevated stage for the first time," said World Rugby Regional General Manager in the region, Tom Jones.

"With rugby set to make its Olympic debut in Rio in just two years' time, the excitement and buzz around sevens is unprecedented and that has also been reflected in the level of competition we have seen across the board.

"A few years ago some of these nations would not have been in a position to compete at this level. Here this weekend they have been wonderful ambassadors for our game and I would like to congratulate them all - especially Colombia, who deservedly took both gold medals."

The next edition of the CASCO Games will take place in 2018 in Barranquilla, Colombia

Results:

Venezuela 39-0 Trinidad & TobagoMéxico 0-22 ColombiaJamaica 36-7 Cayman Islands

5th/6th play-offTrinidad & Tobago 37-0 Cayman IslandsBronze medal matchMéxico 26-0 Jamaica

Gold medal matchColombia 24-5 Venezuela

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