After taking up rugby late in life, Patricia Garcia has become the star of the Spanish women's sevens team.
After taking up rugby late in life, Patricia Garcia has become the star of the Spanish women's sevens team.
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The 27-year-old helped her team to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics, a feat matched by the country's men's side.
The 27-year-old helped her team to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics, a feat matched by the country's men's side.
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A 19-10 win over Kenya was enough for "The Lionesses" to qualify for the quarterfinals in Rio as one of the best third-placed teams, at the expense of host nation Brazil.
A 19-10 win over Kenya was enough for "The Lionesses" to qualify for the quarterfinals in Rio as one of the best third-placed teams, at the expense of host nation Brazil.
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However, Spain lost 24-0 to eventual champion Australia before settling for seventh out of the 12 teams, after beating Fiji 21-0 in a playoff.
However, Spain lost 24-0 to eventual champion Australia before settling for seventh out of the 12 teams, after beating Fiji 21-0 in a playoff.
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Garcia has played a key role for Spain in both the sevens and 15-a-side formats. She took part at the latter's 2014 World Cup, and has also helped Spain qualify for the 2017 tournament.
Garcia has played a key role for Spain in both the sevens and 15-a-side formats. She took part at the latter's 2014 World Cup, and has also helped Spain qualify for the 2017 tournament.
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The game has allowed her to travel the world, and she spent two seasons in New Zealand playing for provincial team Waikato.
The game has allowed her to travel the world, and she spent two seasons in New Zealand playing for provincial team Waikato.
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Garcia tried rugby for the first time at university -- where she attained a sports science degree -- and fell in love with every aspect of the game, from running to tackling.
Garcia tried rugby for the first time at university -- where she attained a sports science degree -- and fell in love with every aspect of the game, from running to tackling.
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After fulfilling her dream of appearing at the Olympics, Garcia is unsure of whether to target a place at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
After fulfilling her dream of appearing at the Olympics, Garcia is unsure of whether to target a place at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
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