Paola Longoria and Polo Gutierrez gave Mexico a sweep of the gold medals at the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia, although both finals went to a tie-breaker, as did one of the bronze medal matches.
Longoria, who has been undefeated in over two years, was pushed to a tie-breaker against Colombian Cristina Amaya, who was clearly inspired by playing at home in this event. Longoria won the first game, only to see Amaya take the second, but the tie-breaker went to the Mexican, who kept her unbeaten string intact, taking the match 15-10, 10-15, 11-4.
The women's 3rd place match, which was an all-American battle went to Rhonda Rajsich, as she beat Cheryl Gudinas, 15-8, 15-14. It was a re-match of the 3rd place match from last year's IRF World Championships, which was won by Gudinas.
Gutierrez completed the gold medal sweep, which was assured after Longoria's win, because the men's final was an all-Mexico battle between Gutierrez and Gilberto Mejia. It was a close match between the two hombres, which Gutierrez won 11-15, 15-14, 11-10.
Rocky Carson (USA) defeated fellow American Jose Rojas for 3rd place, 15-12, 9-15, 11-5.
This is the first World Games that no American men or women have finished out of the top two.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Final
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. 4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico), 11-15, 15-14, 11-10
3rd Place
1. Rocky Carson (USA) d. Jose Rojas (USA), 15-12, 9-15, 11-5
Women's Singles
Final
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-10, 10-15, 11-4
3rd place
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. 3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-8, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
2013 World Games - Americans shut out in the semi-finals
Big upsets in the semi-finals of the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia as no Americans won any of the semi-final matches. Thus, there are three Mexicans and one Colombian in the finals.
Mexican Paola Longoria was no surprise to reach the final, as she is undefeated on the pro tour and internationally since May 2011. Saturday, she defeated American Rhonda Rajsich, 15-8, 15-14.
In the other semi-final, Colombian Cristina Amaya, playing at home, upset 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-12, 8-15, 11-3, to assure the host nation of one medal in racquetball.
Gudinas and Rajsich will play for bronze on Sunday, as they did at last year's World Championships, which was won by Gudinas.
On the men's side, top seed Rocky Carson of the USA lost to 4th seed Gilberto Mejia of Mexico, 15-10, 9-15, 11-9, in what has to be considered a major upset, as Carson is the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - the men's pro tour, where he rarely loses.
Mejia is ranked 54th, though mainly due to not playing many IRT events.
Mejia will face fellow Mexican Polo Gutierrez, the 2nd seed, as he defeated 3rd seed Jose Rojas of the USA, 15-9, 8-15, 11-9.
Carson and Rojas will play for bronze on Sunday.
The other men's and women's quarters are still to be played. They will be followed by the semi-finals this evening and the finals on Sunday.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. 1. Rocky Carson (USA), 15-10, 9-15, 11-9
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas (USA), 15-9, 8-15, 11-9
Final - Sunday (24 hour time)
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) - 16:30
3rd Place - Sunday (24 hour time)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. v. Jose Rojas (USA) - 14:00
Women's Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-8, 15-14
15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-12, 8-15, 11-3
Final - Sunday (24 hour time)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 15:00
3rd place Sunday (24 hour time)
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 13:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
Mexican Paola Longoria was no surprise to reach the final, as she is undefeated on the pro tour and internationally since May 2011. Saturday, she defeated American Rhonda Rajsich, 15-8, 15-14.
In the other semi-final, Colombian Cristina Amaya, playing at home, upset 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-12, 8-15, 11-3, to assure the host nation of one medal in racquetball.
Gudinas and Rajsich will play for bronze on Sunday, as they did at last year's World Championships, which was won by Gudinas.
On the men's side, top seed Rocky Carson of the USA lost to 4th seed Gilberto Mejia of Mexico, 15-10, 9-15, 11-9, in what has to be considered a major upset, as Carson is the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - the men's pro tour, where he rarely loses.
Mejia is ranked 54th, though mainly due to not playing many IRT events.
Mejia will face fellow Mexican Polo Gutierrez, the 2nd seed, as he defeated 3rd seed Jose Rojas of the USA, 15-9, 8-15, 11-9.
Carson and Rojas will play for bronze on Sunday.
The other men's and women's quarters are still to be played. They will be followed by the semi-finals this evening and the finals on Sunday.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. 1. Rocky Carson (USA), 15-10, 9-15, 11-9
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas (USA), 15-9, 8-15, 11-9
Final - Sunday (24 hour time)
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) - 16:30
3rd Place - Sunday (24 hour time)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. v. Jose Rojas (USA) - 14:00
Women's Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-8, 15-14
15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-12, 8-15, 11-3
Final - Sunday (24 hour time)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 15:00
3rd place Sunday (24 hour time)
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 13:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
2013 World Games - Quarter finals
Cristina Amaya took another step towards winning a medal in her home country, as she advanced to the semi-finals at the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia by defeated Naomi Wakimoto of Japan, 10-15, 15-6, 11-2, in the quarter finals Saturday.
The win puts Amaya in the semi-finals against American Cheryl Gudinas, who defeated Jessica Parrilla of Mexico, 10-15, 15-8, 11-8, in their quarter final match.
There is a 3rd place match, so being in the semi-finals does not guarantee a medal.
On the men's side, the 2nd and 3rd seeds both won their quarter final matches in two straight games. Polo Gutierrez of Mexico, the 2nd seed, beat 10th seed Cesar Castillo of Venezuela, 15-3, 15-5, while American Jose Rojas beat Shai Manzuri of Argentina, 15-5, 15-10.
The other men's and women's quarters are still to be played. They will be followed by the semi-finals this evening and the finals on Sunday.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Quarter finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) d. 8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-6
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. 5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-5, 11-15, 5-0, injury forfeit
3. Jose Rojas (USA) d. 6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-10, 15-5
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. 10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-5
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. 4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) - 19:00
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas (USA) - 17:00
Women's Singles
Quarter-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 9. Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-2, 15-8
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. 5. Angela Grisar (Chile), 15-14, 15-12
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. 6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 10-15, 15-8, 11-8
15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan), 10-15, 15-6, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 18:00
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 16:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
The win puts Amaya in the semi-finals against American Cheryl Gudinas, who defeated Jessica Parrilla of Mexico, 10-15, 15-8, 11-8, in their quarter final match.
There is a 3rd place match, so being in the semi-finals does not guarantee a medal.
On the men's side, the 2nd and 3rd seeds both won their quarter final matches in two straight games. Polo Gutierrez of Mexico, the 2nd seed, beat 10th seed Cesar Castillo of Venezuela, 15-3, 15-5, while American Jose Rojas beat Shai Manzuri of Argentina, 15-5, 15-10.
The other men's and women's quarters are still to be played. They will be followed by the semi-finals this evening and the finals on Sunday.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Quarter finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) d. 8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-6
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. 5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-5, 11-15, 5-0, injury forfeit
3. Jose Rojas (USA) d. 6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-10, 15-5
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. 10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-5
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. 4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) - 19:00
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas (USA) - 17:00
Women's Singles
Quarter-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 9. Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-2, 15-8
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. 5. Angela Grisar (Chile), 15-14, 15-12
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. 6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 10-15, 15-8, 11-8
15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan), 10-15, 15-6, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 18:00
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 16:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, July 26, 2013
2013 World Games - Round of 16
There were a few upsets on day one at the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia and the home country player Cristina Amaya caused the biggest one, as she knocked off 2nd seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada, 15-4, 15-14, in the women's competition. Amaya was seeded 15th based on her poor performance at last year's World Championships, where Saunders was the silver medalist.
Amaya will next play Japan's Naomi Wakimoto, who defeated fellow Japanese players Toshiko Sakimoto, 15-8, 15-5, in the Round of 16 on Friday.
There was one other small upset Friday on the women's side, as 9th seed Carola Loma of Bolivia beat 8th seed Jung Eun Ane of South Korea, 15-9, 15-12. Loma's reward is a match against #1 seed Paola Longoria of Mexico, who easily defeated Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 15-1, 15-4, on Friday.
On the men's side, the upset was caused by 10th seed Cesar Castillo of Venezuela who defeated 7th Juan Herrera of Colombia, 15-8, 15-7.
The quarter finals and semi-finals will both be played on Saturday and the finals on Sunday.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday
1. Rocky Carson (USA) d. 16. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (GUA), 15-4, 15-13
8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. 9. Tim Landeryou (Canada), 15-13, 15-6
5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. 12. Luis Reveron (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-1
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. 13. Luis Perez (Dom Rep), 15-7, 15-5
3. Jose Rojas (USA) d. 14. Kim Mingyu (KOR), 15-4, 15-7
6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. 11. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 12-15, 15-13, 11-2
10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. 7. Juan Herrera (Colombia), 15-8, 15-7
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. 4. 15. Kadim Carrasco (BOL), 15-4, 15-6
Quarter finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. 8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) - 14:00
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) v. 5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 14:00
3. Jose Rojas (USA) v. 6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) - 12:00
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - 12:00
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 16. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-1, 15-4
9. Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. 8. Jung Eun Ane (South Korea), 15-9, 15-12
5. Angela Grisar (Chile) d. 12. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 12-15, 15-13, 11-3
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. 13. Claudine Garcia (Dom Rep), 15-14, 15-10
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. 14. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-2
6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. 11. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-5, 15-11
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan) d. 10. Toshiko Sakimoto (Japan), 15-8, 15-5
15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 2. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-4, 15-14
Quarter-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 9. Carola Loma (Bolivia) - 13:00
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. 5. Angela Grisar (Chile) - 13:00
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) - 11:00
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 11:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
Amaya will next play Japan's Naomi Wakimoto, who defeated fellow Japanese players Toshiko Sakimoto, 15-8, 15-5, in the Round of 16 on Friday.
There was one other small upset Friday on the women's side, as 9th seed Carola Loma of Bolivia beat 8th seed Jung Eun Ane of South Korea, 15-9, 15-12. Loma's reward is a match against #1 seed Paola Longoria of Mexico, who easily defeated Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 15-1, 15-4, on Friday.
On the men's side, the upset was caused by 10th seed Cesar Castillo of Venezuela who defeated 7th Juan Herrera of Colombia, 15-8, 15-7.
The quarter finals and semi-finals will both be played on Saturday and the finals on Sunday.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday
1. Rocky Carson (USA) d. 16. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (GUA), 15-4, 15-13
8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. 9. Tim Landeryou (Canada), 15-13, 15-6
5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. 12. Luis Reveron (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-1
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. 13. Luis Perez (Dom Rep), 15-7, 15-5
3. Jose Rojas (USA) d. 14. Kim Mingyu (KOR), 15-4, 15-7
6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. 11. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 12-15, 15-13, 11-2
10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. 7. Juan Herrera (Colombia), 15-8, 15-7
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. 4. 15. Kadim Carrasco (BOL), 15-4, 15-6
Quarter finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. 8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) - 14:00
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) v. 5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 14:00
3. Jose Rojas (USA) v. 6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) - 12:00
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - 12:00
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 16. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-1, 15-4
9. Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. 8. Jung Eun Ane (South Korea), 15-9, 15-12
5. Angela Grisar (Chile) d. 12. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 12-15, 15-13, 11-3
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. 13. Claudine Garcia (Dom Rep), 15-14, 15-10
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. 14. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-2
6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. 11. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-5, 15-11
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan) d. 10. Toshiko Sakimoto (Japan), 15-8, 15-5
15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 2. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-4, 15-14
Quarter-finals - Saturday (24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 9. Carola Loma (Bolivia) - 13:00
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. 5. Angela Grisar (Chile) - 13:00
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) - 11:00
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 11:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, July 25, 2013
2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia - PREVIEW
The 2013 World Games begin on Thursday in Cali, Colombia with the open ceremonies. The racquetball competition is early in the two week multipart event that features non-Olympic sports with competitors from across the world.
The racquetball competition begins on Friday and run until Sunday. Sixteen of the top men and women racquetball players in the world are in Cali to battle for World Games gold. There will be a Round of 16 on Friday with quarter finals and finals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. It's only a singles competition.
Players qualified for the World Games based on their performances in singles at last year's International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Wold Championships in the Dominican Republic. The players finishing positions are their seedings.
The top men's seeds are Rocky Carson (USA) 1st seed, followed by Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) 2nd, Jose Rojas (USA) 3rd and Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) 4th. On the women's side, Paola Longoria (Mexico) is seeded #1 with Jennifer Saunders (Canada) #2, Cheryl Gudinas #3 and Rhonda Rajsich #4.
Four years ago in Taiwan, Jack Huczek won his last gold medal internationally, as he defeated Carson 2-1 in the final, and Longoria won her first truly international gold medal (she did win gold in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games) when she beat Rajsich in the final.
This year Carson and Longoria are the favourites for the gold in Cali.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday (seeding. & 24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. 16. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (GUA) - 18:00
8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) v. 9. Tim Landeryou (Canada) - 17:00
5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. 12. Luis Reveron (Venezuela) - 16:00
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) v. 13. Luis Perez (Dom Rep) - 15:00
3. Jose Rojas (USA) v. 14. Kim Mingyu (KOR) - 14:00
6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) v. 11. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - 14:00
7. Juan Herrera (Colombia) v. 10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - 12:00
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 15. Kadim Carrasco (BOL) - 11:00
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday (seeding. & 24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 16. Carolina Gomez (Colombia) - 18:00
8. Jung Eun Ane (South Korea) v. 9. Carola Loma (Bolivia) - 17:00
5. Angela Grisar (Chile) v. 12. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) - 16:00
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. 13. Claudine Garcia (Dom Rep) - 15:00
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 14. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - 14:00
6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) v. 11. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 13:00
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan) v. 10. Toshiko Sakimoto (Japan) - 12:00
2. Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 11:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
The racquetball competition begins on Friday and run until Sunday. Sixteen of the top men and women racquetball players in the world are in Cali to battle for World Games gold. There will be a Round of 16 on Friday with quarter finals and finals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. It's only a singles competition.
Players qualified for the World Games based on their performances in singles at last year's International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Wold Championships in the Dominican Republic. The players finishing positions are their seedings.
The top men's seeds are Rocky Carson (USA) 1st seed, followed by Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) 2nd, Jose Rojas (USA) 3rd and Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) 4th. On the women's side, Paola Longoria (Mexico) is seeded #1 with Jennifer Saunders (Canada) #2, Cheryl Gudinas #3 and Rhonda Rajsich #4.
Four years ago in Taiwan, Jack Huczek won his last gold medal internationally, as he defeated Carson 2-1 in the final, and Longoria won her first truly international gold medal (she did win gold in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games) when she beat Rajsich in the final.
This year Carson and Longoria are the favourites for the gold in Cali.
2013 World Games, Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday (seeding. & 24 hour times)
1. Rocky Carson (USA) v. 16. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (GUA) - 18:00
8. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) v. 9. Tim Landeryou (Canada) - 17:00
5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. 12. Luis Reveron (Venezuela) - 16:00
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) v. 13. Luis Perez (Dom Rep) - 15:00
3. Jose Rojas (USA) v. 14. Kim Mingyu (KOR) - 14:00
6. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) v. 11. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - 14:00
7. Juan Herrera (Colombia) v. 10. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - 12:00
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 15. Kadim Carrasco (BOL) - 11:00
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Friday (seeding. & 24 hour times)
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 16. Carolina Gomez (Colombia) - 18:00
8. Jung Eun Ane (South Korea) v. 9. Carola Loma (Bolivia) - 17:00
5. Angela Grisar (Chile) v. 12. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) - 16:00
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. 13. Claudine Garcia (Dom Rep) - 15:00
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. 14. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - 14:00
6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) v. 11. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 13:00
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan) v. 10. Toshiko Sakimoto (Japan) - 12:00
2. Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. 15. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 11:00
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
O'Callaghan and Hickey are the champions of Europe
Ireland swept the 2013 European Championships in Bergamo, Italy last week. Noel O'Callaghan defeated German Trevor Meyer, 15-4, 15-10, to take the Mens Open title, while Aisling Hickey beat Andrea Gordon of Germany, 15-2, 15-6, to take the Ladies Open title.
O'Callaghan is the first Irishman to win the European title, so it's the first time that Ireland has swept the titles since the first European Championship in 1981. Hickey is the fifth Irish woman to win the Ladies title and first since Joan Kennedy in 2003.
Hickey also won the Ladies Open doubles with Kate Ryan, as they beat fellow Irish women Donna Ryder and Katie Kenny, 9-15, 15-4, 11-6. O'Callaghan wasn't so fortunate, as he and Ray Breen lost in the Mens Open doubles final to Mark Murphy and Stephen Quinn of Ireland, 15-5, 15-11.
The Irish team swept the team competitions as well, which they also did in 2007, when the European Championships were last in Italy.
2013 European Racquetball Championships
Bergamo, Italy
Mens Open Final
Noel O'Callaghan (Ireland) d. Trevor Meyer (Germany), 15-4, 15-10
Ladies Open Final
Aisling Hickey (Ireland) d. Andrea Gordon (Germany), 15-2, 15-6
Mens Open Doubles - Final
Mark Murphy & Stephen Quinn (Ireland) d. Noel O'Callaghan & Ray Breen, 15-5, 15-11
Ladies Doubles Open - Final
Aisling Hickey & Kate Ryan (Ireland) d. Donna Ryder & Katie Kenny (Ireland), 9-15, 15-4, 11-6
Team Competitions
Mens
1. Ireland
2. Germany
3. Catalonia (Spain)
4. Italy
5. France
Ladies
1. Ireland
2. Germany
3. Catalonia (Spain)
4. Italy
Follow the bouncing ball....
O'Callaghan is the first Irishman to win the European title, so it's the first time that Ireland has swept the titles since the first European Championship in 1981. Hickey is the fifth Irish woman to win the Ladies title and first since Joan Kennedy in 2003.
Hickey also won the Ladies Open doubles with Kate Ryan, as they beat fellow Irish women Donna Ryder and Katie Kenny, 9-15, 15-4, 11-6. O'Callaghan wasn't so fortunate, as he and Ray Breen lost in the Mens Open doubles final to Mark Murphy and Stephen Quinn of Ireland, 15-5, 15-11.
The Irish team swept the team competitions as well, which they also did in 2007, when the European Championships were last in Italy.
2013 European Racquetball Championships
Bergamo, Italy
Mens Open Final
Noel O'Callaghan (Ireland) d. Trevor Meyer (Germany), 15-4, 15-10
Ladies Open Final
Aisling Hickey (Ireland) d. Andrea Gordon (Germany), 15-2, 15-6
Mens Open Doubles - Final
Mark Murphy & Stephen Quinn (Ireland) d. Noel O'Callaghan & Ray Breen, 15-5, 15-11
Ladies Doubles Open - Final
Aisling Hickey & Kate Ryan (Ireland) d. Donna Ryder & Katie Kenny (Ireland), 9-15, 15-4, 11-6
Team Competitions
Mens
1. Ireland
2. Germany
3. Catalonia (Spain)
4. Italy
5. France
Ladies
1. Ireland
2. Germany
3. Catalonia (Spain)
4. Italy
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
LPRT releases 2013-14 tournament schedule
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) posted its schedule for the 2013-14 season on its website Monday.
There are 11 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events on the schedule with four happening before the end of the year and the rest in 2014. There's also an outdoor satellite event in Las Vegas in September.
The LPRT season kicks off with the Stockton Pro-Am on Labor Day weekend: August 30-September 1 in Stockton, Calfornia, which along with the Great Balls of Fire tournament are the two new events on the LPRT schedule. However, both events have been on the calendar in previous seasons, although Stockton was usually in the spring.
Then later in September, the women will go to Mexico for the Albierto Mexicano de Racquetas tournament, which is a Grand Slam event, and that will be followed by their other Grand Slam event: the US Open in early October.
2013 ends with the annual Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, and begins in Cincinnati with the Wilson Tour for Hope.
The Winter Classic is back for a second year in Overland Park, Kansas, and hopefully the weather will cooperate this time, as a winter storm made it difficult for players to get there. But the Overland Park folks are undeterred and having the LPRT back to their fine club.
In March, the Great Balls of Fire event returns to the women's pro schedule as a Tier 1 for the first time since 2009 (it was a Tier 4 event in 2010), and in April the LPRT will be in Reseda, California for the second year running at the 2014 Southern California Regionals.
The last three LRPT events don't have dates yet, but the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, the SCS Title and Escrow Pro-Am in Herndon, Virginia and the USAR National Singles event in Fullerton, California were all on the LPRT schedule last year, so we're confident that they will be again this year.
We look forward to the next WPRO season, which is less than two months away.
2013-14 WPRO Schedule
Dates - Tournament - Location
August 30-Sept 1 Stocton Pro-Am - Stockton, California
September 18-22 3 Wall Ball World Championships - Las Vegas
September 20-22 Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas, Mexico
October 2-6 US Open Championships - Minneapolis
December 6-8 Christmas Classic, Arlington, VA
January 24-26 Wilson Tour for Hope, Cincinnati
February 21-23 Winter Classic, Overland Park, Kansas
March 21-23 Great Balls of Fire - Miami, Florida
April 11-13 2014 Southern California Regionals - Reseda, California
TBD 2014 Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio
TBD 2014 SCS Title and Escrow Pro-Am, Herndon, Virginia
TBD USAR National Singles, Fullerton, California
(Note: satellite event)
Follow the bouncing ball….
There are 11 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events on the schedule with four happening before the end of the year and the rest in 2014. There's also an outdoor satellite event in Las Vegas in September.
The LPRT season kicks off with the Stockton Pro-Am on Labor Day weekend: August 30-September 1 in Stockton, Calfornia, which along with the Great Balls of Fire tournament are the two new events on the LPRT schedule. However, both events have been on the calendar in previous seasons, although Stockton was usually in the spring.
Then later in September, the women will go to Mexico for the Albierto Mexicano de Racquetas tournament, which is a Grand Slam event, and that will be followed by their other Grand Slam event: the US Open in early October.
2013 ends with the annual Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, and begins in Cincinnati with the Wilson Tour for Hope.
The Winter Classic is back for a second year in Overland Park, Kansas, and hopefully the weather will cooperate this time, as a winter storm made it difficult for players to get there. But the Overland Park folks are undeterred and having the LPRT back to their fine club.
In March, the Great Balls of Fire event returns to the women's pro schedule as a Tier 1 for the first time since 2009 (it was a Tier 4 event in 2010), and in April the LPRT will be in Reseda, California for the second year running at the 2014 Southern California Regionals.
The last three LRPT events don't have dates yet, but the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, the SCS Title and Escrow Pro-Am in Herndon, Virginia and the USAR National Singles event in Fullerton, California were all on the LPRT schedule last year, so we're confident that they will be again this year.
We look forward to the next WPRO season, which is less than two months away.
2013-14 WPRO Schedule
Dates - Tournament - Location
August 30-Sept 1 Stocton Pro-Am - Stockton, California
September 18-22 3 Wall Ball World Championships - Las Vegas
September 20-22 Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas, Mexico
October 2-6 US Open Championships - Minneapolis
December 6-8 Christmas Classic, Arlington, VA
January 24-26 Wilson Tour for Hope, Cincinnati
February 21-23 Winter Classic, Overland Park, Kansas
March 21-23 Great Balls of Fire - Miami, Florida
April 11-13 2014 Southern California Regionals - Reseda, California
TBD 2014 Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio
TBD 2014 SCS Title and Escrow Pro-Am, Herndon, Virginia
TBD USAR National Singles, Fullerton, California
(Note: satellite event)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, July 4, 2013
USA Racquetball Names Its Junior National Team
USA Racquetball has named its Junior National Team for the 2013 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Junior World Championships that will happen in Sucre, Bolivia in October. Players were named to the team based on the results from last week's 40th Wilson USA Racquetball Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa.
The top two finishers in each of the U14, U16 and U18 categories made the team. Thus, in Boy's U18 it's Adam Manilla and Connor Laffey, while in U16 it'll be Jake Birnel and Sam Bredenbeck with U14 players Jordan Barth and Mauro Rojas.
On the girl's side, Kelani Bailey and Samantha Simmons are the U18 players with Kaitlyn Simmons and Hollie Scott in U16 and Jordan Cooperrider and Erika Manilla in U14.
Of these 12 players, seven were medalists at the 2012 IRF Junior World Championships. Bailey and both Manillas were double medalists. Bailey got two bronze medals in U18 singles and doubles, with Samantha Simmons as her partner. Her sister Kaitlyn Simmons was a bronze medalist in U16 doubles.
Erika Manilla was bronze medalist in U14 singles and doubles, and Cooperrider was her doubles partner. Her brother Adam got two bronze medals in U16 (singles & doubles), and finally, Barth was a gold medalist in Boy's U14 doubles (with Justus Benson).
Except for Adam Manilla, who's moved up a division, all of those players will be competing in the same age division this year as last, so they should be medal threats again. Team USA should be strong in Bolivia.
The 2013 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Junior World Championships will be in Sucre, Bolivia from October 20 to 25, 2013.
40th Wilson USA Racquetball Junior Olympics
Des Moines, Iowa
Results Summary
Boy's U14 - Singles
1st Jordan Barth (Cold Spring, MN)
2nd Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
3rd Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR)
4th Justus Benson (Sun Prairie, WI)
Boy's U16 - Singles
1st Jake Birnel (Bellingham, WA)
2nd Sam Bredenbeck (Marine On St Croix, MN)
3rd Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
4th Justus Benson (Sun Prairie, WI)
Boy's U18 - Singles
1st Adam Manilla (Centennial, CO)
2nd Connor Laffey (Salem, OR)
3rd Zack Wertz (Kenner, LA)
4th Nicholas Riffel (Loveland, CO)
Girl's U14 - Singles
1st Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL)
2nd Erika Manilla (Centennial, CO)
3rd Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA)
4th Kristine Holman (Salem, OR)
Girl's U16 - Singles
1st Kaitlyn Simmons (Crofton, MD)
2nd Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA)
3rd Molly Manning (North Mankato, MN)
4th Danielle Falvey (Sussex, WI)
Girl's U18 - Singles
1st Kelani Bailey (Norfolk, VA)
2nd Samantha Simmons (Crofton, MD)
3rd Hannah Shnurman (Prole, IA)
4th Krista Yourstone (Urbandale, IA)
5th Katie Nye (Urbandale, IA), 15-0, 15-1
Boy's U14 - Doubles
1st Jordan Barth (Cold Spring, MN) & Justus Benson (Sun Prairie, WI)
2nd Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) & Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
3rd Brady Yelverton (Garland, TX) & Jerry Yang (Sugar Land, TX)
4th Jared Lee (Danville, CA) & Nikhil Singh (Pleasanton, CA)
Boy's U16 - Doubles
1st Kyle Ulliman (Westerville, OH) & Sam Bredenbeck (Marine On St Croix, MN)
2nd Jacob Matthews (Bethel, NC) & Jake Birnel (Bellingham, WA)
3rd Alec Wasilonsky (Torrington, CT) & Thomas Carter (Murrysville, PA)
4th Dima Wert (Petaluma, CA) & Luis Avila (Wilmington, CA)
Boy's U18 - Doubles
1st Adam Manilla (Centennial, CO) & Sawyer Lloyd (Petaluma, CA)
2nd Connor Laffey (Salem, OR) & Nicholas Riffel (Loveland, CO)
3rd Diego Perez (Tyler, TX) & Alec Wasilonsky (Torrington, CT)
4th Logan Nance (Lodi, CA) & Walker Plath (Stockton, CA)
Follow the bouncing ball….
The top two finishers in each of the U14, U16 and U18 categories made the team. Thus, in Boy's U18 it's Adam Manilla and Connor Laffey, while in U16 it'll be Jake Birnel and Sam Bredenbeck with U14 players Jordan Barth and Mauro Rojas.
On the girl's side, Kelani Bailey and Samantha Simmons are the U18 players with Kaitlyn Simmons and Hollie Scott in U16 and Jordan Cooperrider and Erika Manilla in U14.
Of these 12 players, seven were medalists at the 2012 IRF Junior World Championships. Bailey and both Manillas were double medalists. Bailey got two bronze medals in U18 singles and doubles, with Samantha Simmons as her partner. Her sister Kaitlyn Simmons was a bronze medalist in U16 doubles.
Erika Manilla was bronze medalist in U14 singles and doubles, and Cooperrider was her doubles partner. Her brother Adam got two bronze medals in U16 (singles & doubles), and finally, Barth was a gold medalist in Boy's U14 doubles (with Justus Benson).
Except for Adam Manilla, who's moved up a division, all of those players will be competing in the same age division this year as last, so they should be medal threats again. Team USA should be strong in Bolivia.
The 2013 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Junior World Championships will be in Sucre, Bolivia from October 20 to 25, 2013.
40th Wilson USA Racquetball Junior Olympics
Des Moines, Iowa
Results Summary
Boy's U14 - Singles
1st Jordan Barth (Cold Spring, MN)
2nd Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
3rd Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR)
4th Justus Benson (Sun Prairie, WI)
Boy's U16 - Singles
1st Jake Birnel (Bellingham, WA)
2nd Sam Bredenbeck (Marine On St Croix, MN)
3rd Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
4th Justus Benson (Sun Prairie, WI)
Boy's U18 - Singles
1st Adam Manilla (Centennial, CO)
2nd Connor Laffey (Salem, OR)
3rd Zack Wertz (Kenner, LA)
4th Nicholas Riffel (Loveland, CO)
Girl's U14 - Singles
1st Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL)
2nd Erika Manilla (Centennial, CO)
3rd Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA)
4th Kristine Holman (Salem, OR)
Girl's U16 - Singles
1st Kaitlyn Simmons (Crofton, MD)
2nd Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA)
3rd Molly Manning (North Mankato, MN)
4th Danielle Falvey (Sussex, WI)
Girl's U18 - Singles
1st Kelani Bailey (Norfolk, VA)
2nd Samantha Simmons (Crofton, MD)
3rd Hannah Shnurman (Prole, IA)
4th Krista Yourstone (Urbandale, IA)
5th Katie Nye (Urbandale, IA), 15-0, 15-1
Boy's U14 - Doubles
1st Jordan Barth (Cold Spring, MN) & Justus Benson (Sun Prairie, WI)
2nd Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) & Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
3rd Brady Yelverton (Garland, TX) & Jerry Yang (Sugar Land, TX)
4th Jared Lee (Danville, CA) & Nikhil Singh (Pleasanton, CA)
Boy's U16 - Doubles
1st Kyle Ulliman (Westerville, OH) & Sam Bredenbeck (Marine On St Croix, MN)
2nd Jacob Matthews (Bethel, NC) & Jake Birnel (Bellingham, WA)
3rd Alec Wasilonsky (Torrington, CT) & Thomas Carter (Murrysville, PA)
4th Dima Wert (Petaluma, CA) & Luis Avila (Wilmington, CA)
Boy's U18 - Doubles
1st Adam Manilla (Centennial, CO) & Sawyer Lloyd (Petaluma, CA)
2nd Connor Laffey (Salem, OR) & Nicholas Riffel (Loveland, CO)
3rd Diego Perez (Tyler, TX) & Alec Wasilonsky (Torrington, CT)
4th Logan Nance (Lodi, CA) & Walker Plath (Stockton, CA)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
LPRT - Longoria wins Suncoast Shootout
Paola Longoria won the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Suncoast Open Shoot-Out in Sarasota, Florida on the weekend. Longoria defeated Krystal Csuk in the final, 11-5, 11-0, 11-4. Longoria also won the Mixed Open title with Jansen Allen, as they defeated Csuk and Mike Harmon, 15-11, 15-2, in the final.
Longoria almost made it three for three, as she also played in the men's open doubles division. However, she and Christian Longoria lost to Allan Engel and Tim Hansen, 14-15, 15-7, 11-10, in the final.
Engel and Hansen were surprise finalists, as they were seeded third but upset the top seeded team of Allen and Alex Ackermann, 15-14, 15-9, in the semi-finals. Longoria and Longoria beat Alain Yahia and Rafael Fuentes, 15-7, 13-15, 11-4, in the other semi-final.
In Men's Open, Shane Vanderson took the title with a win over Allen in the final, 15-6, 15-13. In the semis, Vanderson defeated Fernando Rios, 15-11, 15-13, and Allen beat Ackermann, 15-9, 15-5.
(note: this was an LPRT event but the result does not count for LPRT ranking points)
Suncoast Open Shootout
Sarasota, Florida
June 28-30, 2013
LPRT Final
Paola Longoria d. Krystal Csuk, 11-5, 11-0, 11-4
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria d. Maria Paz Muñoz, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4
Krystal Csuk d. Linda Scales, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5
Mixed Open Doubles
Final
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Krystal Csuk & Mike Harmon, 15-11, 15-2
Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Fernando Rios & Maria Paz Muñoz, 15-8, 15-10
Krystal Csuk & Mike Harmon d. Garrett Tyler / Linda Scales 15-3, 15-2
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Allan Engel & Tim Hansen d. Christian Longoria & Paola Longoria, 14-15, 15-7, 11-10
Semi-finals
Allan Engel & Tim Hansen d. Alex Ackermann & Jansen Allen, 15-14, 15-9
Christian Longoria & Paola Longoria d. Alain Yahia & Rafael Fuentes, 15-7, 13-15, 11-4
Men's Open
Final
Shane Vanderson d. Jansen Allen, 15-6, 15-13
Semi-finals
Shane Vanderson d. Fernando Rios, 15-11, 15-13
Jansen Allen d. Alex Ackermann, 15-9, 15-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria almost made it three for three, as she also played in the men's open doubles division. However, she and Christian Longoria lost to Allan Engel and Tim Hansen, 14-15, 15-7, 11-10, in the final.
Engel and Hansen were surprise finalists, as they were seeded third but upset the top seeded team of Allen and Alex Ackermann, 15-14, 15-9, in the semi-finals. Longoria and Longoria beat Alain Yahia and Rafael Fuentes, 15-7, 13-15, 11-4, in the other semi-final.
In Men's Open, Shane Vanderson took the title with a win over Allen in the final, 15-6, 15-13. In the semis, Vanderson defeated Fernando Rios, 15-11, 15-13, and Allen beat Ackermann, 15-9, 15-5.
(note: this was an LPRT event but the result does not count for LPRT ranking points)
Suncoast Open Shootout
Sarasota, Florida
June 28-30, 2013
LPRT Final
Paola Longoria d. Krystal Csuk, 11-5, 11-0, 11-4
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria d. Maria Paz Muñoz, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4
Krystal Csuk d. Linda Scales, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5
Mixed Open Doubles
Final
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Krystal Csuk & Mike Harmon, 15-11, 15-2
Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Fernando Rios & Maria Paz Muñoz, 15-8, 15-10
Krystal Csuk & Mike Harmon d. Garrett Tyler / Linda Scales 15-3, 15-2
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Allan Engel & Tim Hansen d. Christian Longoria & Paola Longoria, 14-15, 15-7, 11-10
Semi-finals
Allan Engel & Tim Hansen d. Alex Ackermann & Jansen Allen, 15-14, 15-9
Christian Longoria & Paola Longoria d. Alain Yahia & Rafael Fuentes, 15-7, 13-15, 11-4
Men's Open
Final
Shane Vanderson d. Jansen Allen, 15-6, 15-13
Semi-finals
Shane Vanderson d. Fernando Rios, 15-11, 15-13
Jansen Allen d. Alex Ackermann, 15-9, 15-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
