Vincent Gagnon

Biography

Date of Birth

1981

Birthplace

Longueuil, Québec

Residence

St-Hubert, Québec

Home Club

Nautilus Plus Brossard

Coach

Michel Gagnon

Equipment

Ektelon

As a high performance athlete Vincent Gagnon demonstrated an incredible commitment to the sport, representing Canada at sixteen international tournaments including multiple Pan Am Games, World Championships, Pam Am Championships and World Games. Between 2000 and 2015 Gagnon won thirteen medals in international competition, highlighted by a silver medal in doubles at the 2014 World Championships, a bronze medal in Men’s Doubles at the 2015 Pan Am Games, another bronze medal in the Men’s Team event at the 2015 Pan Am Games and a gold medal in Men’s Doubles at the 2007 Pan Am Championships. At the Canadian Championships, he had twenty one podium finishes in Open singles and doubles events and holds three championship titles in doubles and one in singles. Gagnon played the game with a high degree of integrity and honed his skills and match strategy to become a formidable opponent. He approached the game in an analytical way, constantly challenging himself to be better. Gagnon retired from active competition in 2016.

Q&A

Start in Racquetball: My dad was playing and coaching, so I followed him and started playing racquetball as well.

Reason for playing: Pushing myself.This is the biggest reason I play.  And racquetball has always been exciting for me as it is a good mix of reaction and strategy.

Training habits: I have no habits really, except maybe that I try to spend as much time in the gym as on the court.

Best Racquetball Memory: Winning the doubles national title for the first time with François Viens in 2008 and getting a bronze medal at the World Games in 2009.

Non Racquetball Talent: It’s probably not hidden anymore as I work with numbers every day now but the other thing I am good with is mathematics.

When you are not playing Racquetball you are probably: These days I am probably at home taking care of my son.

What is something that people might not know about you or find surprising? I don’t like competing.It is against my nature.I keep playing racquetball so I can improve myself and the way to measure that in sports is to play against others unfortunately.  

What advise do you have for athletes who want to play at your level? Get in the court and practice as much as you can.There is no secret.  The more you train the better you get.

Who has been important in your development as an athlete? My dad who has been my coach all of my career.

Highlights

Bronze
Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games
Men's Doubles
Bronze
Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games
Men's Team Event
Bronze
Guadalajara 2011 Pan Am Games
Men's Singles
Silver
2014 World Championships
Men's Doubles
Silver
2012 World Championships
Men's Team Event
Bronze
2010 World Championships
Men's Singles
Bronze
2008 World Championships
Men's Singles
Bronze
2008 World Championships
Men's Team
Bronze
2009 World Games
Men's Singles
Bronze
2014 Pan Am Championships
Men's Singles
Bronze
2012 Pan Am Championships
Men's Singles
Bronze
2011 Pan Am Championships
Men's Singles
Gold
2007 Pan Am Championships
Men's Doubles
Bronze
2003 Pan Am Championships
Men's Singles
Bronze
2001 Pan Am Championships
Men's Doubles
Bronze
2015 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Gold
2014 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Gold
2014 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Silver
2012 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Gold
2012 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Silver
2011 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Bronze
2011 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Bronze
2010 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Silver
2010 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Bronze
2009 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Gold
2009 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Silver
2008 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Gold
2008 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Bronze
2007 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Silver
2007 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Silver
2006 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Silver
2005 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Bronze
2004 National Championships
Men's Open Singles
Bronze
2003 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Silver
2002 National Championships
Men's Open Doubles
Gold
2000 Junior National Championships
Boy's 18 & U Singles