Recent News

From the President | From the Secretary General 

Thanks to E-Force & Ron Grimes!
Most in the racquetball community know Ron Grimes as an owner of E-Force, and an entrepreneur who is dedicated, and knowledgeable. But Ron has a completely different side that most people don’t know about. He has a great heart, and during the last ten years that I have known him, he has done numerous things that nobody knows about and he always wanted to remain anonymous.

He gave donations to help pay for a female Korean junior player who is deaf to play at the 2007 World Junior Racquetball Championships. He also donated several pieces of equipment to a Korean church that provides space for underprivileged students for an after school program (the picture shows the children that Ron helped). He also sent Tim Doyle and Chris Crowther to Korea to give classes to remote areas of Korea to promote racquetball which helped increase the number of racquetball players. They also trained several Korean racquetball instructors to become better teachers. I have no doubt that Ron’s efforts to help Korea these last 10 years is one of the reasons Korea can host 2010 World Racquetball Championships. -- by Yuni Cobb.

On to the 2015 Pan Ams!
At the recent Pan American Sports Organization  (PASO) meeting in Mexico, the Toronto 2015 Organizing Committee recommended that racquetball be included as a full medal sport on the program.

Pictured after the meeting (L-R) is President of the IRF Keith Calkins, Ian Troop LOC-CEO Toronto, LOC Chairman Toronto Roger Garland, and IRF-PARC Secretary General Luke St Onge. Missing is PARC President Osvaldo Maggi.

Racquetball has also been included in the 2010 editions of the Central American Games--Panama, Central American Caribbean Games-- Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and the 2011 Pan American Games--Guadalajara, Mexico.

Calkins Attends ARISF
IRF President Keith Calkins attended the ARISF( Association of Recognized International Sports Federations) Executive Council meeting in Dubai, along with six other individuals from Europe. The Council prepared the final agenda for the Annual General Meeting, followed by a series of meetings with IOC councils and committees. 

Keith (near left) is pictured presenting PASO and ANOC President Don Mario Vazquez Raña with the brochure developed by the IOC Recognized Sports at the PASO General Assembly.

Costa Rica sweeps
Costa Rica attained each and every gold medal awarded in Panama at the IX Central American Sporting Games, along with two silver medals.

The seven disciplines and winners were Female Singles, won by Andrea Ortiz; Male Singles, won by Ivan Villegas; Female Doubles, taken by Andrea Ortiz and Debora Kessler; Male Doubles, won by Felipe Camacho and Teo Fumero Jr.; and Female, Male, and Combined Teams, all won by Costa Rica. Silver medal winners were Naomi Sasso and Joaquín Solera, in Female and Male Singles respectively. 

World Senior Doubles
Local organizers managed a website to provide the lastest information about the 2010 International Racquetball Federation World Senior Doubles Championships, which took place in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, Ireland, June 9-12.

IRT in Costa Rica
The International Racquetball Tour will host a Tier 4 Men's Pro Stop - the Costa Rica Open - in San Jose, May 20-23. The Costa Rica Country Club Racquetball Committee and the Costa Rican Racquetball Association recently issued its invitation to the premiere event, and online entries will be activated soon. Download the event details >>

Monroy & Longoria win XXIII Pan Ams
Ricardo Monroy and Paola Longoria brought home gold medals from the XXIII Pan American Racquetball Championships, held in San Pedro Sula, Honduras from March 26 to April 3. See the full results online >>

World Senior Doubles Press Conference
Local organizers held a press conference to announce the 2010 International Racquetball Federation World Senior Doubles Championships, which will take place in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, Ireland, June 9-12. [ download entry | enter online ]

Pictured below left are Tournament Directors Gary Mazaroff (left) and Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, play testing a court. Below right (L-R) is Councillor David Blake, Andrew Clarke, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith TD, Sean Corcoran, Gary Mazaroff, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, Clofford Kelly.

Great Sportsmanship on the Line
Pat Keane reported from the Irish National Championships that Joe Dillon won his title in a game that will be remembered by all who saw it for a long time. After losing the first game 15-14, and trailing in the second, the youngster went down with serious cramps. Once his time outs had elapsed, the game was going to be awarded to his opponent, but Sean Keane (Fermoy) gave his time outs to Joe in order to give him time to try to recover.

When the game resumed, Joe just plugged away, shooting from back court and picking up points. Before long he had won the second game 15-14, even though he was seriously struggling with mobility. The tiebreaker was similar, both players served for the match 4 times at 10-10 and it was Joe that got the winner. It was a great win for Joe, but the level of sportmanship showed by Sean was unbelievable.

In Memoriam
The German Racquetball Federation mourns the death of former President Uwe Krogmann, who died at age 82 in Hamburg after a brief illness. From 1985-1992 Krogmann was President of the German Racquetball Federation, and was credited for bringing the Racquetball World Championships to Germany in 1988, when they were held in Europe for the first time. Krogmann remained close to racquetball after his term in office, especially in the last five years, by supporting the sport and efforts by his home club in Hamburg.

World Games DVDs
The IRF recently announced the release of over 35 hours of videotaped action from the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung. A complete set of 16 DVDs can be purchased for $160 (shipping incl.) by contacting Luke St. Onge for ordering instructions.

In the men's final, USA teammates faced off, with Jack Huczek defeating Rocky Carson in a tiebreaker. Among the women, Mexico's Paola Longoria also went to three games to defeat USA's Rhonda Rajsich. Throughout the championship week abroad, thirty of racquetball's best athletes, from eleven countries, competed on the glass portable court. The top 16 men and women to qualify represented Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the USA.

In Memoriam
When does the love for the sport end as a racquetball player? Many players who are injured or have been told that racquetball can damage them further if they continue to play, still can’t stop playing because their love for the sport. Mr. Oh Young Tek is a Korean racquetball player who was first diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and fought hard for many years before passing away in December of 2008, leaving behind a wife and son.

Throughout his battle with cancer he continued to play and work hard for the development of the sport, and had expressed a desire to have a tournament bear his name. His wife and the Gum Cheon Racquetball Club hosted a memorial mixed doubles tournament in November 2009, which brought over 100 players together and reminded them all that they should work diligently for the development of racquetball. He will be forever missed by all Korean racquetball players. Item submitted by Yuni Cobb.

USA sweeps World Juniors in Santo Domingo
The World Junior Championships took place in Santo Domingo, December 14-20, where 16 countries were represented by over 240 athletes, and close to 150 parents, coaches and support staff.

The depth of the teams and the quality of play continues to present a challenge to Team USA which logged across-the-board team wins to bring home the World Cup. [ view larger photo ]

Rafa Fernandez, President of The Dominican Republic Racquetball Federation, offered outstanding leadership, planning and a local organizing committee that worked endless hours. IRF Tournament Director Gary Mazaroff also did an exceptional job, along with Usher Barnoff and Osvaldo Maggi, who arrived on site early each day and left late each night. Ron Grimes and Rachael Hall from E-Force were also on hand to make product available for the athletes. View the event drawsheets online | local organizer photos.

Central American Caribbean Games Venue Update
The ground-up new venue for the Central American Caribbean Games continues to take shape in Puerto Rico. Below left is a rendering of the completed facility, at right is the exhibition court, under construction.

Future "Team Guatemala"
The Guatemalan Women's Team, including a group of 35 up-and-coming junior hopefuls, were treated to a visit by Mexican Team Coach, Aaron Palomino in August. The coach was on hand to assist the team in preparing for the VIII Central American Games. Although the team only has access to two courts, its successful junior program has regained strength and is growing.

World Senior Championship Concludes
Wrapping up its 21st consecutive year of play, the World Senior Championships crowned singles champions in 12 men's divisions and 9 women's divisions, at the close of the Labor Day weekend. The event was hosted in a series of venues and played out in flighted round-robin formats to maximize playing time. It's an annual best-seller among senior athletes who enjoy traveling, good friends and great competition. Drawsheets | Full Results | Recordbook

Next World Seniors Event Coming Up ... The 2010 World Senior Doubles Championships will be held in Ireland, June 9-12, at the Kingscourt site of the 2008 IRF World Championships.

World Games Conclude
Seen from the inside out (at right), top ranked pro athletes played to a packed house at the medal rounds of the 2009 World Games in Chinese Taipei. In the men's final, USA teammates faced off, with Jack Huczek defeating Rocky Carson in a tiebreaker, 2-15, 15-12, 11-8. Among the women, Mexico's Paola Longoria also went to three games to defeat USA's Rhonda Rajsich, 5-15, 15-7, 11-5.

Thirty of racquetball's best athletes, representing eleven countries, competed - after qualifying in last year's 2008 World Championships. The top 16 men and women to place in Ireland were eligible to compete in Kaohsiung, and athletes were fielded from Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the USA. View final wrap up >>

Korea Open Sponsor Steps Up
The 5th Kyung Jae Newspaper Korea Open was a success, thanks to Mr. Jong Hwan Lee, the vice president of the newspaper and major sponsor. When approached by the KRF, he didn’t know there was a difference between squash and racquetball, but he decided to become a sponsor because of the many similarities between racquetball and his company’s mission. Good racquetball requires players to have speed, agility, and fast decision-making ability. The newspaper also requires, speed, agility and fast decision-making to deliver prompt and accurate information to their readers.Concerned that the general population does not know about the sport, he hopes that both then Kyung Jae Newspaper Korea Open and the 2010 World Racquetball Championships will increase the awareness and popularity of racquetball in Korea.

New Kingscourt One Wall
According to Vice Chairman Sean Gargan, Kingscourt Handball & Racquetball Club recently announced what could be Europe's first new court development of the year.

As part of ongoing improvements, the club launched the new outside one wall facility with the intent of supporting both handball and racquetball use.

In recesssionary times, the benefit to this court is its low cost, with the only expense being the balls, it's a great way to introduce children to the sport.

Celebrating World Senior Doubles
Team Guatemala is shown celebrating their medal-round finishes, after earning two silver and two bronze medals at the World Senior Doubles Championships in Vancouver.

Pictured (standing l-r): Lucy de Zachrisson - Raul Zachrisson; (seated l-r): Estuardo Wer,  Antonio Aguirre,  Juan Jose Salvatierra and Marie Gomar. Photo: courtesy Lucy Zachrisson.

Courts Going Up in Puerto Rico
Court facility construction is well underway for the 2010 Central American Caribbean Games, which will be held at the University of Recinto in the city of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

This is the sixth consecutive Central American Caribbean Games in which racquetball has been included as a full medal sport. The racquetball competition is being administered under the direction of Puerto Rico Racquetball President, Mr. Pucho Miranda.

Strategic Guide Recognized
In late May, Geoff Peters was presented with a plaque recognizing his help in guiding the IRF through a long-range planning session last February. Peters facilitated a three day meeting that discussed the organization's mission and values statements, core values and set priorities to carry the sport forward worldwide. Flanked by IRF VP Usher Barnoff (left) and President Keith Calkins (right), Peters accepted his award in Houston. Photo: courtesy Cheryl Kirk.

The Future Looks Bright
New Racquetball Association of Ireland President Sean Gargan recently attended the Irish Junior Racquetball Open as a guest of the host club Touraneena, under the stewardship of former RAI President Pat Keane. He stated that "I have attended World, European & Local Championships but none can compare to last weekend’s event. The event was made even better by the presence of IRF President Keith Calkins."

Special thanks also were extended to organizers Christy Slattery and Pat Keane (with the able assistance of their partners Betty & Helen), the local organizing committeee lead by Linda Skehan with Pat Dalton,John Skehan, Eithne Skehan, Karen Keirns, Julie Skehan and Elanor Hickey. The brillant competition set the bar very high for the incoming RAI president, who reports that the future looks bright!

Pictured above (l-r) are: Johnny Sherlock, Andy Clarke, Sean Gargan, Keith Calkins, Eamonn Clarke (at back), Councillor Clifford Kelly, Sean Corcoran, Brendan Gargan.