Flag football returns to The World Games in Chengdu three years after making a successful debut in Birmingham, Alabama.
Back in 2022 there were men’s and women’s tournaments with Mexico and the United States on a collision course for the women’s gold medal right from their success in the group stages. Mexico blitzed their way past Japan, Italy and Brazil, scoring 125 points while conceding only 19 on the way to the knockout stages. USA topped its group with wins over Panama, Austria and France
Originally scheduled for 2021, the games had been pushed back twelve months to avoid clashing with the Olympic Games in Japan, which had been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mexico’s points onslaught continued with a 41-6 quarterfinals victory over France as the United States won 32-7 against Brazil. Panama was a 33-13 winner over Italy, while Austria edged Japan 39-32 to complete the semifinals line up.
Mexico advanced to the gold medal game, beating Panama 36-7 and while they were pushed all the way by Austria, USA emerged as 41-32 winners.
In the championship game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Mexico got off to a fast start thanks to an opportunistic defense and never looked back, dominating on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Diana Flores and her four touchdown passes highlighted the 39-6 win over the U.S. to become the first women's flag football gold medalists in World Games history.
After U.S. receiver Crystal Daniels had an early end zone catch ruled out by a penalty with the game scoreless, Mexico's Xiomara Rios scored off an interception of U.S. quarterback Vanita Krouch and then Rebeca Landa sacked Krouch for a safety and an 8-0 lead.
Flores connected with receiver Silvia Contreras for three touchdowns as Mexico, who led 27-0 at halftime, scored the game's first 39 points before Krouch found Nadia Bibbs for a short touchdown reception on a shovel pass over the top.
In the Bronze Medal Game, Panama defeated Austria 40-19.
The United States claimed the men’s gold medal in Alabama with a 10-point win over Italy in a high-scoring 46-36 title game win. USA had beaten European champions Denmark, Panama and France, while Italy saw off the challenge of Austria, Mexico and Germany.
American football made its debut at The World Games back in 2005 when four nations were selected to participate in an exhibition tackle tournament in Duisburg, Germany.
Having put 31 unanswered points past Australia, Germany faced Sweden, 29-7 winners over France, and triumphed 20-6 to claim the first American football gold medal of The World Games. France beat Australia 14-0 to take bronze.
Twelve years later in Wroclaw, Poland, France were the 2017 gold medalists, beating Germany 14-6 in the final, while USA took the bronze medal with a 14-7 win over Poland.
