#TuksWaterpolo: Maxine Hannon and Tia Casswell win bronze at the 2023 World Aquatics Beach Games Water Polo Qualifiers in Egypt

Posted on May 25, 2023

Many will not know this, but water polo is considered to be one of the most challenging sports in the world to play. 

It is precisely why the TuksWaterpolo women’s captain, Maxine Hannon, is so passionate about playing. She was a part of the South African beach water polo team, who won a bronze medal at the recent 2023 World Aquatics Water Polo Qualification Tournament in Egypt. In doing so, they qualified to compete at the upcoming World Beach Games in Bali in August 2023. Tia Casswell was the other Tuks player on the team. 

Last year, Sports Versa was surveyed to establish what the most physically demanding sports in the world are. They considered each sport's speed, endurance, strength, agility, skill level and physicality. 

Their rankings of the most demanding sports in the world came out as follows - water polo, Aussie rules, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, American football, hurling, gymnastics, basketball, and Gaelic football. But they admit there's no agreed-upon list of the most challenging sports in the world. 

According to Sports Versa, people often forget about water polo because it's less popular than some sports, but it's undoubtedly a beast to play well. You must “run in the water” without drowning while fending lots of vigorous kicking and grabbing. Hannon will vouch for this. 

"During our tournament, there was a lot of holding, some scratching and a bit of kicking. You are not allowed to do it, but if you don't get caught, which is a lot of the time, then things tend to get rough. So it was tough. It was rough, but it was good."

Hannon, an MSc in Human Physiology, describes herself as a ''water baby". 

"I started by swimming, but I found it to be a bit boring. I love to chase after a ball with a specific purpose. I also consider myself to be a team player. One of my best qualities as a water polo player is my fitness. I also bring a lot of positivity to any team I play for."

As to the difference between water polo and beach water polo Hannon said that water polo is played in a swimming pool. There are seven players at any time in the water. The games last longer.

"Beach water polo is a team sport played in the open water off the beach but in a smaller-sized pool. There are only four players in the water. The game is much faster. There is no reset after a goal is scored. Play is immediately resumed. There is never a moment to rest. You are swimming continuously."

According to Hannon, women's water polo at Tuks is going from strength to strength. 

"We finished second at the USSA Tournament for the last two years. The Maties have been dominating, but we can win this year as we got a lot of depth. Quite a few of our players have played for South Africa. Shakira January and Esihle Zondo were in action at the World Water Polo Qualifying Tournament in Berlin. A few of our players have been selected for the national under-21 side."

- Author Wilhelm De Swardt

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