Denmark overcame world champions Brazil in beach handball on the first official day of action at the ANOC World Beach Games in Doha ©ANOC World Beach Games

Denmark overcame world champions Brazil to take control of Group A of the men’s beach handball competition on the first official day of competition at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games here today.

Both teams had recorded two wins yesterday, with preliminary action beginning prior to today’s Opening Ceremony.

Denmark secured their third victory of the competition by beating Sweden 25-20, 19-12, before Brazil eased to a 27-9, 20-12 win over Australia.

It set up a top of the table clash in the afternoon session at Al-Gharafa Beach, with a close contest unfolding.

Denmark secured a narrow victory over the world champions, prevailing 23-21, 19-16 in the contest.

The European side head the Group A standings heading into their final round robin match tomorrow, with a quarter-final place assured.

Brazil are second in the six team group with an identical record to Sweden, with the United States and Australia set to battle for fourth place.

Hosts Qatar have a perfect record in Group B with four straight wins, with World Championship silver medallists Croatia following in second place with three victories and one defeat.

World champions Greece and Spain boast four consecutive wins in Group B of the women’s tournament, with both countries due to go head-to-head tomorrow.

Brazil are the only team with a 100 per cent record in Group A, with South American rivals Argentina second with three wins and a loss.

Kata karate competition was held for the first time on sand as action began ©ANOC World Beach Games
Kata karate competition was held for the first time on sand as action began ©ANOC World Beach Games

Spain’s karate stars unsurprisingly dominated the early stages of the beach kata competition.

European champion Sandra Sanchez produced the highest score in the first round of the women’s event with a total of 26.48 points.

America's Jessica Kwong, Italy’s Terryana D’Onofrio and Hong Kong’s Mo Lau also won their respective groups on karate’s debut event on sand.

Spain’s Damian Quintero, a multiple European champion, headed the men’s field with a score of 25.94 points. 

The second round is due to take place tomorrow morning, with medal matches scheduled for the afternoon session.

A surprise came in the men’s 4x4 beach volleyball competition as a professional US team suffered a 21-19, 14-21, 15-13 loss to Germany in the first Group A match.

Qatar overcame Indonesia 16-21, 21-14, 15-4 in the second fixture in the group, while Australia and Poland began Group B with victories over Chile and Australia respectively.

The women’s competition saw Brazil win 21-7, 21-10 against Nigeria in Group A, before the United States beat the Czech Republic 21-18, 21-15.

Vanuatu emerged as 21-18, 21-19 winners against Canada in Group B, while Australia secured a 21-11, 21-7 win over Gambia.