Marie-Alex Belanger and Lea Monkhouse

win Gold in Punta Cana

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, September 21, 2025.- Canadians Marie-Alex Belanger and Lea Monkhouse defeated Puerto Ricans María González and Allanis Navas 2-1 (14-21, 21-17, 16-14) to win gold in the NORCECA 2025 World Beach Championships Qualifying Tournament, which concluded this Sunday at Los Corales Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Belanger and Monkhouse defeated Dominicans Yari Cleto and Julibeth Payano 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in their semifinal match, while González and Navas advanced to the final due to an injury of the Mexican duo of Susana Torres and Atenas Gutiérrez.

The bronze medal went to Dominicans Cleto/Payano due to an injury of the Mexican team Torres/Gutiérrez.

Canada, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico were the countries that earned an spot in the World Championships, which will be held in Adelaide, Australia, from November 14 to 23.

In fifth place were Cubans Maykelin Drik/Kailin Garrido, who defeated Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez of Nicaragua 2-0 (21-16, 21-13).

Seventh place went to the Virgin Islands duo T'ara Austin/Taylor Buckner, who defeated Costa Rica's Aliza Aguilar/Laura Molina 2-1 (9-21, 21-16, 15-10), while ninth place went to Donnina Argueta and Keiry Guzmán of El Salvador, who defeated Cayman Islands duo Deajra Tulloch/Amanda Robinson 2-0 (21-18, 21-12).

Other results of the day included: CUB Drik/Kailin d ISV Austin/Buckner 2-0 (21-12, 21-17); NCA López/Lolette d CRC Aguilar/Molina 2-1 (21-11, 18-21, 15-9).