2026 Pan American Racquetball Championships

One sport that seldom gets any coverage from media outlets is Racquet Ball which actually comes under the growth of Racquet Ball Canada.

It’s interesting to note that Team Canada first competed at the 1984 World Championships and has regularly sent players to the World Championships (biennial competition), Pan American Championships (annual; formerly Tournament of the Americas), and Pan American Games (quadrennial).

Not taking a “back seat” to the rest of the world Canada has won 8 Gold medals at the World Championships which started in 1984 with Ross Harvey winning Gold in men’s singles. 

Three Canadians have won singles twice at Worlds: Heather Stupp won Women’s Singles in 1988 and 1990; Sherman Greenfeld won Men’s Singles in 1994 and 1998; and Christie Van Hees won in 1998 and 2006. In 1986, Carol McFetridge and Manon Sicotte won gold in Women’s Doubles at  Worlds.

The Men’s Team won gold on five occasions at the World Championships in 1986, 1988, 1996, 2000, and 2002, and Canada took the Overall Team title in 2000.

Racquet Ball Canada mentioned on their site that  at the Pan American Championships (held annually) Canadians have won Gold on 12 occasions.

The following is from their site: 

Six times in Men’s Singles: Sherman Greenfeld won three times, in 1990, 1994 and 1998, Mike Green twice in 1999 and 2012, Brian Istace in 2004, Kris Odegard in 2006, and Kane Waselenchuk in 2002. 

Twice in Women’s Singles: Lori Jane Powell won in 2004, and Heather Stupp won in 1987. And four times in doubles: thrice in Men’s Doubles and once in Women’s Doubles. Mike Green and Tim Landeryou won in 2010, Vincent Gagnon and François Viens in 2007, and Mike Ceresia and Roger Harripersad in 1992, with Karina Odegard and Lori Jane Powell winning in 2002.

Canadians have not won gold in the Pan American Games, but several have earned silver medals, including Mike Green (singles, 2003), Christie Van Hees (singles, 1999), Roger Harripersad & Kelly Kerr (doubles, 1999), Lori Jane Powell & Debbie Ward (doubles, 1999), Chris Brumwell & Jacques Demers (doubles, 1995), and Vicki Shanks & Debbie Ward (doubles, 1995).

Recent News notes that Canada returns home from the 2026 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala with two medals after a week of competition (March 28–April 4). 

Both medals came in men’s events, with the doubles team of Samuel Murray (St-Basile-le-Grand, QC) and Coby Iwaasa (Lethbridge, AB) claiming silver, and Murray adding an individual bronze in men’s singles.

Men’s Doubles – Silver

Murray and Iwaasa were impressive throughout the doubles draw, topping their pool and entering the medal round as the fourth seed. 

The pair powered through the bracket before reaching the final, where they faced Mexican duo Javier Mar and Roberto Montoya. In a tightly contested five-game match, Mexico edged Canada 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 14-16, 11-6 to claim gold.

Men’s Singles – Bronze

Murray also made his mark in singles, battling through to the semi-final before facing Mexico’s Eduardo Portillo Torres. Portillo took the opening two games. Murray won the next two forcing a deciding fifth game only to watch Portillo close out the match 11-1, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-4 that saw Murray earn Bronze.

Additional Canadian Results

Canada fielded a full team across multiple events, with the following results:

• Men’s Singles — Coby Iwaasa: 5th place
• Mixed Doubles — Lee Connell (Saskatoon, SK) & Juliette Parent (Saint-Jacques, QC): 9th place
• Women’s Doubles — Marjolaine Parent (St-Basile-le-Grand, QC) & Chloé Jauvin (Terrebonne, QC): 9th place
• Women’s Singles — Juliette Parent: 9th place
• Women’s Singles — Chloé Jauvin: 21st place

The team was coached by Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, MB) and supported by Team Therapist Amy Barrette (Baie-Comeau, QC).

Looking Ahead

Next up will see Canada’s athletes compete at the Racquetball Canada National Championships, taking place in Burlington from May 18–23. 

Results from nationals will factor into team selection for the 2026 World Racquetball Championships, to be held later this year.