World Cup for Clubs in 2024. will be held in Rio de Janeiro

Rio is situated right on the imaginary border between the sub-tropical waters of the South Atlantic and the warm, Caribbean-like waters, of Brazil's northeast coast. Because of this unique position, Rio's coast holds fish from both tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems.  In the same dive, a spearfisherman can spot a Mediterranean dusky grouper, the tropical black grouper, and a cobia, while surrounded by a school of yellowtails, species that don't meet in any other body of water on the planet. The rocky bottom with big ledges and caves will favor the technique of the European divers that will find spearing conditions in Rio similar to what is found on the old continent.  

Foreign divers will have to break a long tabu if they want to bring home first place at the World Cup since local divers are undefeated in international competitions held in Rio.  Spearfishing legends like Bernard Salvatori, John Ernst, H. Dessault, and Claudio Ripa have all competed in Rio only to see a local diver hold the first place position.  But the last international meet in Rio was back in the 90's and a lot has changed since then.  Carioca supremacy may be coming to an end.  Local champions like Paulo Pacheco, Mauricio Ortiz, Diego Santiago, and Francisco Loffredi are likely to compete and can be considered favorites, but rising stars of the Brazilian spearfishing scene like Kevin Sansão and Gabriel Barra can also end up on the highest spot of the podium.  That is if an international competitor does not outshoot the carioca spearos to break this long-lasting tabu.  

The competition is organized by APPS (Associação Paulista de Pesca Sub) under the supervision of CMAS and sanctioned by IOC. There are only 30 spots for clubs to register, which will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Spot on the roster will certainly fill up fast as Rio's appeal and fish will draw lots of interest from CMAS's giant spearfishing community across the world. For clubs and federations interested in competing, registration and details will soon be posted on the CMAS website.