TEMUCO, Chile (October 24, 2026) – Team Canada’s men are world champions. Samuel Murray, Coby Iwaasa, Trevor Webb and Leyton Gouldie won the men’s team competition at the XXIII IRF World Racquetball Championships on Saturday, beating Mexico in the gold medal match to close out a strong week for Canada in Temuco.
A commanding final against Mexico
Canada clinched the title by winning both singles matches without needing a tiebreaker. Iwaasa of Lethbridge, Alberta opened with a 14-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6 win over Andree Parrilla. Murray of Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec then dropped the first game to Eduardo Portillo Torres before taking control and winning 3-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6. The Canadians were in command for most of both matches, with some incredible play on the way to gold.
The road to gold
The men beat Argentina 2-0 in the round of 16 and Ecuador 2-0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals they took out top-seeded Bolivia 2-0, with Iwaasa beating Mario Mercado 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 and Iwaasa and Murray defeating Conrrado Moscoso and Kadim Carrasco 11-5, 13-11, 1-11, 11-6.
Webb of Kitchener, Ontario and Gouldie of Brandon, Manitoba completed the gold medal–winning team.
Women’s team
Our women’s team wrapped up their championships with a strong week. They opened the team competition with a 2-0 win over Japan in the round of 16 before falling in the quarterfinals to Argentina, who went on to win the women’s team gold.
With the men’s gold and the women’s results combined, Team Canada also finished third overall in the combined team standings.
Medals earlier in the week
The team title adds to three medals Canada won in the individual events. Iwaasa and Murray took silver in men’s doubles after a five-game final against Mexico. Webb won bronze in men’s singles, and Murray and Juliette Parent of Saint-Jacques, Québec won bronze in mixed doubles. Frédérique Lambert of Montréal, Québec and Parent also won the women’s doubles Elite Draw.
Murray leaves Temuco with a full set of medals: gold in the men’s team event, silver in men’s doubles and bronze in mixed doubles. He was the only Canadian to reach the podium in three events.
Quotes
“What an incredible week for Team Canada at the World Championships!” said Jennifer Saunders, Team Leader and Racquetball Canada High Performance Director. “Three medals, an overall team third-place finish, and our men’s team crowned World Champions. The team delivered stellar performances throughout the week, highlighted by an outstanding gold medal run that saw our men defeat two powerhouse teams, Bolivia in the semifinals and Mexico in the final. Hearing O Canada played was an incredibly proud moment. Congratulations to all of our athletes and staff on an unreal week of competition. We are very proud of what this team accomplished together.”
“It was an inspiring performance today by Canada’s top two men’s players,” said Head Coach Tim Landeryou. “Even for elite athletes like Sam and Coby, this is a long week of competition, and they fought through fatigue and exceptionally physical play from their Mexican opponents today to secure the win for Canada. I’m so proud of their performance today and our team’s performance across the week. It was an honour to be a part of this tournament and to help our athletes succeed.”
“I am always grateful to play for Team Canada,” said Iwaasa. “With the team’s support and cheering, I felt I could play my best.”
Murray agreed. “I’m also incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement. Winning gold in the team competition at the World Championships is such a special moment, and we’re so proud to bring home a gold medal for Canada.”
What’s next
With the World Championships complete, Team Canada’s athletes turn to the domestic season, starting with the National Team Selection Event in Grande Prairie, Alberta, on November 20 and 21, 2026. Results from national-level domestic tournaments will count toward selection for Canada’s Pan American Games team for the 2027 Lima Games.
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About Racquetball Canada
Racquetball Canada is the National Sport Organization for the sport of racquetball. As a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, our mission is to coordinate, govern and encourage the advancement of racquetball from the grassroots to the elite level across Canada. Our vision is to be a visible, vibrant sport enjoyed coast to coast by Canadians of all ages and abilities. Join our community.
For more information contact:
Jan Hanson
Communications, Diversity & Safe Sport Director
Racquetball Canada
