Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 2018 Mexican Beach Volleyball Open brought some of the country's best doubles teams to Playa Camarones in Puerto Vallarta last weekend, adding three days of excitement to the Municipality's 100th anniversary celebrations.

Volleyball duos from 18 states competed in the Men's and Women's freestyle categories; demonstrating sportsmanship along with their experience in the sport of beach volleyball.

An awards ceremony, led by Puerto Vallarta's Municipal Tourism Director, Ramón González Lomelí, immediately followed the third day of competition, with medals and cash prizes awarded to the winning teams in both the Men's and the Women's categories.

And the winners were:

First place in the Women's category was won by the team from Jalisco, composed of Paola Ávalos and Vanesa Virgen, who took home the gold medal and a cash prize; second place went to Alica Portugal of Nayarit and Laura Escarpeta of Mexico City; and Paulina Inda and Iztel Valencia, both from Nayarit, took home the bronze.

In the Men's category Raúl Loaiza of Tamaulipas and Baja California's Óscar Castillo took home the gold and the cash; the silver medal went to the team formed by Colima's Aldo Miramontes and Baja's Raymond Stephens; and José Ángel Cárdenas and Manuel Cortez, both from Colima, came in third.

The official congratulated all of the tournament's participants for their efforts, saying that win or lose, the important thing is that young people play sports, a practice which strengthens relationships, teaches teamwork and builds character.

He also thanked those who made the Mexican Open possible, including Laura Almaral and her team from Promotora Larx, the tournament's sponsors, referees and everyone who contributed to its success.