On 6 December, history was made as Los Angeles played host to the first-ever all-women’s Challenger Cup, with pre-tournament favourites Carolyn Greco and Margaret Osmundson claiming gold in a high-quality day of action at the Gol Soccer Complex in North Hollywood.

The duo are the stars of Los Angeles-based women’s teqball club Bella Teq and proved too strong for the rest of the field, securing gold without dropping a single set. The event saw 19 teams (38 athletes) enter in what marked a further step for women’s teqball in the US and globally.

Women’s participation in elite-level teqball has been on the rise for the past few years, with the gender-equitable sport enabling women and men to compete against each other in singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles. Greco and Osmundson are role models for future female teqers by repeatedly demonstrating that they can be successful against their male counterparts. The pair finished fourth in the Challenger Cup doubles events in San Diego and Houston, before finishing second in the Las Vegas Challenger Cup in November, following a closely-fought contest against world number seven doubles team Andres Berriel and Frankie Diaz.

Greco and Osmundson continued this fine form in Los Angeles, overcoming American pair Anjelyka Brown and Chelsey Patterson 2-0 (12-3, 12-3) to take home the gold. In the semi-final, the Bella Teq duo beat Brazilians Talita Pereira and Fabiola Zanella, who bounced back from the 2-0 (12-4, 12-3) defeat to win bronze against Roberta Goulart and Yesenia Reyes.

Speaking after their victory, Carolyn Greco said:

“This tournament was such a special day. Personally, it was emotional for me to see this historic Challenger Cup come to fruition. I am very humbled by the representation from the world class athletes that were there to compete. It was not by any means an easy win, and we are so thrilled to see the level of competition from the women involved with Teqball USA. Margi (Osmundson) and I are so excited to have made our second podium appearance in the last two tournaments. We have worked so hard and I am very proud of us. She is one of my closest friends and there is no greater feeling than standing together in first place. This year has been one that was tumultuous but it is moments like this tournament that makes me realise all the good that we have to be grateful for in 2020. Margi and I still have a lot to learn and grow in the sport and Bella Teq is not stopping here.”

Margaret Osmundson added:

“The first women’s Challenger Cup in the world put in a few short words was unforgettable and such a success. The teqball community keeps growing and it showed yesterday. Having 38 females participating is a reflection of the direction of where this game is going to be taken. The competitiveness throughout the day helped carol and I, making sure we played seamlessly. We have been growing as a pair, and we have kept getting stronger as a duo leading up to this Challenger Cup. Our goal ending 2020 was to get a 1st place finish, so I am beyond happy we achieved what we set out to do.”

INFORMATION & RESULTS of the Los Angeles Challenger Cup can be found - HERE