GUATEMALA CITY, GUA (April 5, 2025) – Canada is returning 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, but Murray fought back to win the next two to force a deciding fifth game. Portillo ultimately closed out the match 11-1, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-4, with Murray earning 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: 12th place
The team was coached by Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, MB) and supported by Team Therapist Amy Barrette (Baie-Comeau, QC).
Looking Ahead
Canada’s racquetball athletes will next compete at the Racquetball Canada National Championships, taking place May 18–23 in Burlington, Ontario. Results from nationals will factor into team selection for the 2026 World Racquetball Championships, to be held later this year.
Complete tournament results can be found at: https://www.r2sports.com/website/division-list.asp?TID=53329&sortBy=defaultOrder
