National Championships Set to Begin in Winnipeg
The National Championships are the ultimate competition of the racquetball season in Canada. For elite athletes, results will be taken into consideration for selection to national teams and the teams that will represent Canada in international competition including the upcoming Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games and Junior World Championships.
All of Canada’s top ranked athletes have entered the tournament including the national team members who were on the podium at the 2022 World Championships. Québec’s Samuel Murray and Frédérique Lambert currently sit in the number one spots in national rankings. Murray is also active on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) where he is ranked 8th in singles and 10th in doubles. Canada’s other top female athletes competing include Christine Keay (New Westminster), Michèle Morissette (Baie-Comeau), Juliette Parent (Saint-Jacques), Danielle Ramsay (Saskatoon), and Alexis Iwaasa (Edmonton). Top ranked male athletes include Coby Iwaasa (Lethbridge), Trevor Webb (Cambridge), Lee Connell (Saskatoon), Kurtis Cullen (Brandon) and Tanner Prentice (Macrorie, SK).
The National Championships also include several age and skill categories that provide everyone in the sport an opportunity to compete at their own level. This year’s championships includes singles and doubles divisions for junior age athletes up to a category for players 75 years and older. As a result, the championships are a true “competition for life” experience.
Who: Over 100 players of all ages and skills including Canada’s top ranked and developing elite racquetball athletes
What: 2023 National Championships
Where: University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre, 400 Spence Street
When: May 23 to 27, 2023
Racquetball Canada will be live-streaming matches throughout the tournament. We are excited to welcome back Timothy Baghurst and Jeffrey Thompson, who have teamed up many times to produce quality broadcasts. The broadcast will be shared live via Racquetball Canada’s Facebook Page and through Racquetball Canada’s YouTube Channel. We will post the streaming schedule each day on our social channels.
Draws can be found at this link. Please note that the draw is subject to change and start times for matches are approximate.
Racquetball Canada will also be holding its Awards Banquet in conjunction with the National Championships on May 28, where those selected to the Hall of Fame will be inducted and the championship awards will be presented.
Complete tournament and spectator information can be found at this link.
