Set to host the first-ever events on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour in March, Mexico will field a handful of new teams during the 2022 international season after the country’s federation announced the duos that will be part of its national team programme ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Mexicans have revamped their teams with Rio 2016 Olympian and Pan-American champion Juan Virgen, 34, the only player over the age of 25 to be part of the programme. After nine seasons playing alongside Lombardo Ontiveros, he will now be paired with 22-year-old Miguel Sarabia.

“I’m really excited to continue being part of this group,” Virgen said. “I’m the oldest player and I was honoured to be invited. It’s a big change from what we’ve been doing, but I take changes as a positive. Having a new partner is a big challenge, and even though we don’t have a lot of time, we’ll give everything from the start to accomplish our goals.”

Josue Gaxiola, 24, and Jose Rubio, 25, who were the only players to represent Mexico at the Tokyo Olympics, where they finished ninth, continue together and will form the country’s other men’s team in the programme.

The women representing Mexico internationally are even younger and less experienced. Between them, 23-year-old Maria Quintero and 19-year-old Abril Flores, who will form one of the teams, and 21-year-old Atenas Gutierrez and Celeste Ibarra, have appeared in just ten international events. The two teams will do their best to follow in the steps of Martha Revuelta and Zaira Orellana.

“We’re all really excited with the programme,” Gutierrez reflected. “All of us have the dream of taking Mexico to the Olympics, so I have no doubts that we’ll work hard and remain focused on the goals we set. I believe we have the talent and the potential to accomplish that.”

There will also be a new face leading the teams. Former player Mario Alberto Becerra was announced as the new head coach. He will replace Salvador Gonzalez Arreola, who occupied the position for 24 years.

The national team’s training centre will also be moved from Mazatlan, where it was located for several years, to Monterrey, where the federation’s office is based. Activities will take place at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento de Nuevo Leon.

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