History! Belize wins first ever senior men’s volleyball gold

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize has made volleyball history. The Men’s National Volleyball Team has captured the country’s first ever gold medal in senior men’s competition, defeating host nation Costa Rica in their own capital to be crowned the top men’s volleyball team in Central America.

The Jewel’s warriors defeated Costa Rica three sets to one in the championship match of the III AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four Championship in San José. Belize seized control early, taking the first two sets 25-22 and 25-18. Costa Rica fought back to claim the third 25-20, but Belize slammed the door in the fourth, closing it out 25-21 to secure the historic gold.

The achievement marks the first gold medal for a Belizean men’s volleyball team and the first gold for Belize at the senior level. And the prize comes with a passport to bigger stages: the victory qualifies Belize for the NORCECA Men’s Pan American Cup next year.

Belize dominated the individual honours as well. Francis Hauze was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Second Best Attacker, while Kyron Sutherland took home the award for Best Blocker. Belize finished atop the standings, ahead of silver medallists Costa Rica, with Panama taking bronze and Nicaragua fourth.

The champions arrived home to a hero’s welcome at the Santa Elena border just after five o’clock in the evening. Speaking on arrival, the coach explained that the campaign was born from disappointment, with preparations beginning after the team placed fourth at the Central American Games. “We know we have the ability to place well,” he said, noting the full squad, including overseas-based players, had only been together for about a month.

MVP Hauze was quick to share the glory. “I feel good but I couldn’t do it without my teammates. The setters, the passers, blockers, defenders, everyone helped out. The coaches as well,” he said. “The work continues. I continue to lead the team with my captain, Elton Anderson.”

Anderson himself captured the moment best. “It’s an overwhelming feeling right now, it’s a historic moment so we got to soak that in,” the captain said. “We know that we have to prepare even harder because we’re going to meet bigger teams in the next competition, so we have to work twice as hard.”

From fourth in Central America to first, with bigger battles ahead. Congratulations to the Belize Men’s National Volleyball Team, our golden boys, and our history makers.

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