After a spectacular 2023 season, the Beach Wrestling World Series saw leaps and bounds in spectatorship and global presence with events taking place across three continents. As the sport continues to grow thanks to its diverse action and simple points system and rules, the 2024 Series is well anticipated.

Kicking off the 2024 season, the first stop of the Beach Wrestling World Series will take place under the sun on the stunning beaches of Acapulco, Mexico on March 2nd and 3rd – a first time in Central America for Beach Wrestling. Following the UWW Pan-American events, including Olympic qualifying events, the beach wrestling season will kick-start with an expected 63 athletes in total, promising an action-packed start to the summer in the sandy rings.

Last season’s opener in South America saw the largest turnout of participants in the short history of the series. While this year’s event in Central America will see less participants, partly due to many wrestlers focusing on their Olympic disciplines and campaigns, beach wrestling’s first leg will bring some division’s reigning champions who are sure to put on a show and attract an enthusiastic local crowd.

The city of Acapulco is known as the “Riviera of Mexico” with stunning beaches stretching along the contrasted beauty of the blue Pacific Ocean. A popular tourist destination that offers a bustling nightlife and iconic beachfront high-rise hotels, making it the perfect location to attract curious spectators to the sandy rings, showcasing the best of beach wrestling in its pure form.

The most anticipated clashes between our kings and queens of the sand will soon be underway where we can expect the best of the best.

First up is the women’s categories we look to the 50kg division and 2023’s overall third place winner Maia Abigail CABRERA of Argentina. CABRERA may be in the lightest weight category, but her strength and tactics are a force to be felt.

In the women’s 60kg division Ukrainian Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO who finished up second in last year’s series will bring her might to the sands of Acapulco, but not without strong competition against local foe Karla Abigail ACOSTA MARTINEZ (MEX) and Betzabeth Angelica AGUELLO VILLEGAS of Venezuela.

The women’s 70kg division isn’t short of strong contenders with Manon KURY of France who ranked fourth last season, and Astrid Paola MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN) who ranked 10th, things are sure to heat up with some other names in the mix.

Rounding out the women’s categories in the +90kg division, Angelique Carole GONZALEZ (FRA) who finished up ranking fifth in 2023 will likely bring her experience to the season opener. Others to watch out for will be Linda Marilina MACHUCA (ARG) and the local Mexican team.

Looking to the men’s categories, first up in the 70kg division, a regular to the series Frenchman Quentin Jean Rene STICKER who finished last season ranked 5th overall, will be a strong contender. Justin BENJAMIN (USA) will also be one to look out for as he finished ninth in last year’s series and was also third at the 2023 U.S. Beach National Championships.

In the men’s 80kg division, reigning 2023 champion Hugo Jose Fabien CUENO of France will be a force within his class, as will American Tyler Mackenzie LOETHEN who ranked third overall last season. Having both dominated the sand last season, all eyes will look to whether lesser-known regional names can contend with these veterans.

In the men’s 90kg division, be prepared to expect the unexpected, as many regional names will be in the mix. Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX), Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG), and Pedro CEBALLOS FUENTES (VEN) all made an appearance at last year’s season opener in Argentina and are familiar with the Beach Wrestling World Series format. What goes down in Acapulco for this category will be exciting, nonetheless.

Local Mexican Paul Baltazar MORALES BOJORQUEZ collected some points last year in Buenos Aires, as did Argentinian Ricardo Adrian BAEZ in the men’s +90kg division. However, look out for Kyle Robert FERRITER (USA) who is no stranger to the sand. FERRITER holds the 2023 U.S. Beach Nationals champion title in his category and is highly anticipated to throw down in the Beach Wrestling World Series season opener.

What goes down in Mexico will soon be known as things heat up for a thrilling 2024 season opener packed with the usual throws and shows as we begin the 2024 Beach Wrestling World Series. If you can’t join us sandside, be sure to catch all the action live on YouTube @BeachWrestlingWorldSeries.

Keep an eye on our socials and stay tuned for upcoming news about the full calendar for the 2024 Beach Wrestling World Series, and until then, see you in Mexico!