Favorites prevailed on opening day of women’s tournament at IFAF Americas Flag Championship
After a rousing opening ceremony that featured traditional Panamanian music and dance at Stadio Virgilio Tejeira Andrión, the Panamanian American Football Federation sponsored the first day of the 2025 IFAF Americas Flag Football Continental Championships.
The women’s flag teams expected to win, won, but not without some resistance.
Host-team Panama defeated Brazil in convincing style 49-12, and then the United States handled Colombia 46-12, but briefly trailed 0-6 after the Columbians scored first. After a two-an-a-half hour break, the U.S. followed up their first victory with another, this time against Brazil 47-13.
Photo: Ernesto Campuzano
After a brief delay for lightening, Mexico kicked off its attempt to follow up on their World Games championship with a victory over Guatemala 40-6. Canada also easily came out on top against Argentina 56-0.
Jamaica, in its debut in international competition, finished on the bottom side of the score 39-0 versus the Colombians, who finished 1-1 on the day, and then lost to the Panamanians, who notched their second win of the day 50-13. The Jamaicans had their chances, but turned their ball over twice in the Panamanian end zone.
Columbia takes on Brazil in Saturday’s first women’s match. A few hours later, the Columbians will play Panama, the U.S. will go against Jamaica, Argentina will face Mexico, and Canada will take the field versus Guatemala. The afternoon games will pit Brazil vs. Jamaica, the U.S. against Panama, Mexico playing Canada, and Guatemala takes on Argentina. The matches between the U.S. and Panama, and Mexico and Canada will most likely determine the top ranking.
Photo: Ernesto Campuzano
The growing popularity of women’s flag football may begin to level the playing field. Panamanian wide receiver Tatiana Dos Santos is in her senior year playing for Liz Sowers at Ottawa University in Kansas. That may take a while though, since Ashley Klam of Team USA also plays as a scholarship athlete at Keiser University in Florida. Maci Joncich, Klam’s teammate is not on scholarship, but plays in the competitive club sports flag program at the University of Florida, where she helped her team win the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association championship in 2024.
