Kyrylo Tkach

Start in Racquetball: I started playing racquetball in 2015. My stepdad introduced me to the sport when I first came to Canada, and I joined a youth group program at the Ron Edwards YMCA in Burlington to learn the basics. I trained whenever I could, and I loved getting on the court and learning new skills. At first, I was placed with the younger kids in the program, but by 2019 I had moved up to the advanced racquetball class at the YMCA. Since then, I’ve kept working hard and improving. Out of my original youth group, I was the only one who continued all the way to competing at the world level for the first time.

Reason for playing: The reason I play racquetball is I want to prove to everyone that anyone can play this sport, and gaining respect is earned not given. Overall, it’s a fun sport and I really enjoy it. I also play it because I get to meet different people from all over the place, not just the same people I know.

Training habits: My training habits are mostly me involved in league games and training nights 2-3 times a week.

Best racquetball memory: My best racquetball moment is when I dived across the court and still got the ball and jumped right back into right after I dove.

Non-Racquetball hidden talents: My Hidden talents would be Marksmanship, and any sport I play. I seem to be able to play the sport without difficulty.

When I’m not playing racquetball, I’m probably . . . When I’m not playing racquetball, I would be mostly in school or hanging out with friends and being in the Air Cadets. Lastly, I like working part-time if I’m not playing racquetball.

A surprising fact about me: One thing that people might not know about me is that I would always like to be either one step ahead or many more steps ahead, as well as accomplishing anything that seems it is possible and impossible.

Advise for other developing players: I would advise them to take the level approach ladder, by starting at the very bottom level and then finding your pathway to the higher levels with practice and patience.

Who has been important in your racquetball journey: I would say all the coaches who have been with me my whole life have gotten me as far as they could and I’m appreciative for every one of them.