The Argentina women’s national beach handball team has been named The World Games Team of the Month for July 2026 after claiming gold at the World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia.
The victory completed a monumental achievement, making them only the third national handball team in history to simultaneously hold the World Championship, Continental Championship, and The World Games titles.
By capturing all three major titles, Argentina joins an elite group alongside beach handball powerhouses Brazil and Germany. The feat is the culmination of more than ten years of relentless preparation, strategic development, and belief.
The Athlete/Team of the Month award is proudly supported by Tissot, whose partnership recognises outstanding performances and achievements by The World Games' athletes around the world.
A Decade in the Making
For Head Coach Leticia Brunati, the triumph in Zagreb is the result of a long-term project that began over a decade ago. Many of the current senior players first tasted international success together as youth athletes, highlighted by their gold-medal performance at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
"All this tournament says is that Argentina is working very hard and all the things, experience and tournaments that we have played since these girls were in the youth team together are now blooming," Brunati explained.
Argentina’s journey to the top of global beach handball is reflected in their performance at The World Games, where they have stood on the podium across three consecutive editions: winning silver at Wrocław 2017, bronze at Birmingham 2022, and gold at Chengdu 2025. Player Luciana Scordamaglia stands out as a symbol of that sustained effort, having competed in all three editions and owning the complete collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals.
While neither Brunati nor Captain Gisella Bonomi were part of the 2017 squad, the core spirit of the team - affectionately nicknamed Las Kamikazes - has remained constant throughout the transitions.
"Over the past nine years, we’ve had different players in different positions, but our identity has remained intact," Bonomi said. "It’s more than just a team mindset: it’s a feeling that comes from being ‘Kamikaze’ and being Argentine. We always look back with gratitude and respect. We trust the process."
"I feel like we’re living a dream, one we’ve been building for the last four years," Bonomi added. "We came so close so many times but, looking back, we understand that before Chengdu and Zagreb it simply wasn’t our time. Becoming stronger through those experiences was part of the journey and it became part of our identity as well."
Overcoming Adversity in Chengdu
That identity was tested at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, where Argentina finished ahead of Germany and Spain. Unlike rival teams who had been competing regularly, Argentina arrived in Chengdu having focused primarily on training, forcing them to assess their standing once matches began.
Throughout the tournament, the squad overcame significant hurdles, including competing with three players affected by injuries. Their resilience was demonstrated in pivotal moments: a golden-goal win against Vietnam in rainy conditions, a high-stakes shoot-out victory over Spain after Fiorella Corimberto missed a one-point shot to win in regulation, and a dramatic final against Germany. After being outplayed in the opening set of the final, Argentina rallied in the second set to force a shoot-out and claim gold.
"At times, we were 12 points behind, but what surprised me the most was our mindset," Bonomi recalled. "Even in those moments, we truly believed we could turn the game around. We always try to make the most of every situation and our journey has taught us to adapt quickly. That adaptability is one of our greatest strengths and the reason we never stop believing."
Representing South America and Looking forward to 2029
Holding the World Championship, Continental Championship, and The World Games titles places Argentina among the teams everyone wants to beat, but Las Kamikazes view the elevated expectations as motivation to inspire others and raise the profile of South American beach handball.
"Before we won our titles we believed we had to make an impact because of where we come from," Bonomi said. "We wanted people to see that South American teams deserve to be taken seriously. Success also brings responsibility. We want to set a good example for younger players and show that consistency is just as important as talent."
With beach handball continuously evolving globally, Coach Brunati emphasizes that past victories do not guarantee future results.
"I never say; ‘We are the champion or we must defend the title’, I like to think we were champions, that we won it, but it is nothing now and we have to build another champion again and that involves a lot of hard work," Brunati stated.
As attention turns toward qualifying for The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany, Bonomi and her teammates remain focused on playing their distinct brand of handball on the world stage.
"If we qualify, our goal won’t just be to defend a title – it will be to play the kind of beach handball that represents who we are," Bonomi concluded.