2022 is leaving and when it comes to summing up the year in the sports field, There are two disciplines that get applause after their respective World Cup qualifications: men’s and women’s rugby and field hockey.
The first two satisfactions came in January, When the Diablas and The Diablos achieved their first World Cup qualification after finishing second in the 2022 Pan American Cup in Santiago.
The women advanced in the semi-finals against the United States, a group they beat 2-0 on penalties after being tied 1-1 in regulation time.
Despite the loss in the final to the powerful Argentine national team, the ticket was already guaranteed. This is how the team made its debut in the Netherlands, playing respectfully and letting Sergio “Cachito” cry emotionally in the opening match against Germany. It was a defeat, but the feelings were positive.
In the second match, the national team achieved its first victory at the planetary level by winning 1-0 Against Ireland and although they were later defeated 3-1 by the Netherlands, they qualified for the round of 16. There the team paid dearly for its debutant and lost 5-0 to Belgium.
Meanwhile, the men of their classification celebrated in similar fashion by defeating the United States 3-1 on penalties, after being tied scoreless in regulation time.
In the end, The team also fell to Argentina 5-1, but qualification for the World Cup in India was completed. That tournament will take place on January 13 with the Devils facing off against the Netherlands, New Zealand and Malaysia.
Rugby dream story
After a process of several years of progress, pFinally, Los Cóndores made history and in 2022 they achieved their first qualification for the Professional World Cup, to be held in France in 2023.
The national team began to beat Colombia for lack of presentation, which saw them enter the South American Triangle, an event in which they beat Brazil and fell to Uruguay, in which they finished second.
This forced him to play against Canada, who had just lost to the United States in the North American region.
over there Chile became strong and delivered the first blow by defeating “CanucksIn the key to play the playoffs against the United States, who lost to Charlas for a direct ticket to the World Cup.
After losing 21-22 at Santa Laura Stadium on a rainy day, Pablo Lemoine’s team went to Dallas to beat Aguilas 29-31 and qualify for the World Cup in agonizing fashion, setting off players’ celebrations.
The task in France will be complicated, as the national team will face England, Japan, Argentina and Samoa.
Another good thing about rugby was a preview of what Condores lived through, as many of those selected play for Silknam, a team that reached the MLS final after defeating the Argentine Jaguares only to end up losing the deciding duel against Peñarol.
Asuncion, Santiago 2023 preview
Last October, the eyes of the Chilean team were focused on Asuncion, where the 2022 South American Games will be held, an event that paves the way for the Olympics and became a precursor to the 2023 Pan American Games.
There, he isThe national delegation did not disappoint and achieved fourth place with 38 gold, 31 silver and 62 bronze medals.
Among the gold medalists were athletes Gabriel Kerr, Carlos Diaz, Natalia Duco and Claudio Romero, and canoeists Karen Rocco and Maria Jose Millard. fencer Arantza Inostroza, water skier Valentina Gonzalez; Las Diablas, who beat Argentina in the final; judoka Marie de Vargas; karate fighters Rodrigo Rojas, Matias Rodriguez, and Valentina Toro; Wrestler Yasmani Acosta. the everlasting Krystel Kuprech; Men’s volleyball team. Grimalt cousins.
They have stood out with their own spotlight and tennis player Daniela Ortega, winner with three golds, and sisters Antonia and Melita Abraham, who added two and three gold medals.
“Chaleco” stayed in force and reached the first Benjamin Heights
As has been the norm since Carlo de Gavardo premiered in 1996Dakar marks the beginning of the Chilean sports center and this 2022 was no exception because Francisco “Chaleco” López, despite changing classes and moving from SSV to light vehicles, retained the title, a prize for regularity given that he did not win any stage.
Another good one from motorsports came from the hand Benjamin Heights, who became a champion in the prestigious international GT Open class with Team Oregon.
The national driver and his partner Leonardo Pulcini won four races and managed to celebrate on the last date.
La Roja del Basket failed and U de Conce and Sportiva Italiana ruled in Chile
Basketball was marked by the elimination of the Chilean national team on the way to the 2023 World Cup After a narrow loss against Colombia also sealed the departure of Cristian Santander from the National Bank.
However, in Chile, The National League is attracting attention, especially thanks to Universidad de Concepción, the representative team that won top honors in 2022 after defeating Leones de Quilpué in the final. In addition, Campanile’s team won the Chilean Cup.
In the women’s national cast, the team ranked sixth in South America and Sportiva Italiana dominated the parquet with titles at the opening and closing of the Women’s National League.
In addition, Chilean men and women continue to urge people to speak abroad: Nicolás Carvacho, Sebastian Herrera and Aitor Piquet are in Germany; Manny Suárez is doing well in Bulgaria, and Ignacio Arroyo is continuing his maturation process in Spain.
Franco Morales had a stint in Colombia and Felipe Iniaco rotated in the Opras of Honor team in Argentina. And in the United States, there are several who play college basketball: Fernanda Ovalle, Isabel González, Macarena Ritamales, and Valentina Ojeda, among the women, and Felipe Haas, Nicholas Aguirre, Marcelo Pérez, and Max Lorca, among the men.
