A new version of IRF NEWS, the official newsletter of the IRF has just been published and is available for download.  This edition features  information about the World Senior Championships in August, the upcoming European Championships in Hamburg, Germany and some other exciting reports from the global development of our sport.  Contributions for the next issue are always welcome.

Chris Coy defeated the National High School champion and close friend Mike Keddie in the 18 and Under finals by scores of 15-12, 15-9 at the 2005 Junior Olympics in Portland, Oregon, USA with a truly amazing display of racquetball skills.  Kelley Fisher had a much easier time in her 18 and Under finals against Sarah Hettesheimer 15-2, 15-9

The Asia Racquetball Federation (ARF) is preparing it's Asia Championships 2005. According to ARF President Young-sang Hong plans are being considered to host this important regional event either in Saipan or Korea, possibly in October 2005. It is expected that Japan, Korea, Saipan, Guam and some other countries will possibly send players and teams for men and wome competitions to this IRF Regional Championship. 

The Association of Sports Writers from the Dominican Republic awarded the  2004 Racquetball Female and Male Player of the year to Ms. Claudine Garcia Mr. Leonel Simo. Awards were presented to athlethes of all Sport Federations in the country. The awards to our Racquetball players were presented by the President of the Military Circle Contralmirante Hector Lizardo Jorge of the Navy and General Ventura Bayonet.

Racquetball Honduras just finished it's National Championships last weekend. Rolando Bier succeeded over David Matamoros in the Mens Singles Division while Roberto Nasser and Rolando Piaggio won the Mens Doubles competiton.

The Racquetball competition at this years' XXXVI Juegos Militares in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic has been a huge success for the sport. "We only got positive feedback from the military organisers", said tournament director Rafael Fernandez. This year, Racquetball was offered for the first time but will be always on the program from now on.

The Mexican National Championships for Masters 2005 will be held on 5 - 7 August 2005 in Guadalajara. Competitons for Men and Women over 35 years will be offered in singles and doubles. Check out the Mexico Racquetball website at www.fmr.org.mx or send an e-Mail to the organisers at campeontoracquetbol@hotmail.com for more information on this event.

On June 17th the inauguration of the Racquetball Competition in the Sport Military Circle, held for the first time, will take place in Santo Domingo. This has been worked on for many years and it now opens the sport new possibilities. Racquetball will be an exhibition sport this year but will be an official sport from next year on.

It has been announced that a new Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) has been formed to take women’s pro racquetball to new heights. The revitalized tour (formerly the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour, LPRA), is going to be owned by its players, and run by a board elected by the membership.

The Belgian Racquetball Federation has confirmed it's participation in the Mens Team Competition of this year's European Championships in Hamburg, Germany.  After being absent from the World Championships in Korea last year, Belgium will be back on the international arena.

Be a coach in beautiful Guatemala: Ivan Villegas, a former Colombian, now a Costa Rica Citizen, is an outstanding professional racquetball trainer and player and currently a member of the Costa Rican National Team. Villegas presently visits Guatemala until June 19th to help preparing the team for the Central American Games and Pan American Games.

The Federación Boliviana de Raquetbol announced the date of the 65th National Racquetball Tournament in Bolivia which will take place on June 30 - July 3 in Sucre. It is the second national tournament of the year with 28 divisions and more than 200 participants.

Young Brazilian player Silvia Zillo travelled to Argentina to take part in a training camp, hosted by PARC President Osvaldo Maggi last week. "I had an enjoyable time with Osvaldo", Silvia said, "it was very helpful for me. Sivlia is one of the young South American talents that hope to compete in the Pan American Games 2007 in Rio de Janeiro.

The Mexican Junior Olympics 2005 have been concluded with the team from Chihuahua placing first, San Luis Potosi second, Jalisco third and Baja California forth.
Young Mexican player David Ortega (picture left), who was able to always win a gold medal at this event, was unable to repeat his success this year, only silver in the singles and doubles competitions for him.

Another Newsletter: Racquetball Canada's latest Online Newsletter has just been published and is available for download at the Racquetball Canada website.

Representatitves from Austria and Poland have confirmed their entries for the 13th European Championships this July in Hamburg, Germany. It is the first time since 1997 that Austria and Poland will compete in the European Competition.

Corey Osborne from Penetanguishene, Ontario is the winner of the 2005 Canadian National Mens Singles competition. He defeated Kris Odegard 15-5, 6-15, 11-5. Jennifer Saunders of Winnipeg won the ladies draw against Linda Ellerington 15-3, 11-15, 11-1.  Over 160 players from across Canada  entered in the championships in singles and doubles in men's and women's divisions.

The USAR NATIONAL SINGLES are underway, with matches scheduled through Memorial Day Monday, May 30. The tournament has fielded over 530 singles entrants, check out the event website and view the online draws to follow your favorites.

The Japan Open 2005, the biggest racquetball event in Japan, was held during three weekends of April and May, gathering 235 players from all over Japan, Korea and the US. In men’s open division, Park Min Soo captured the first Japan Open title for a Korean player ever. Veteran player Toshiko Sakamoto won her first Japan Open title in women’s division.

Get ready for the 6th Annual Rosarito Beach Racquetball Open on September 8-11, 2005 at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. There will be over US-$ 10,000.00 in Cash & Prizes. Categories: WOMEN'S:  PRO, OPEN, Beginners. MEN'S:  AA, A, B, C, Beginner, DOUBLES Open/A. Contact Rosy Torres for further information:  

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The contract between the IRF, Mexican Racquetball Racquetball Federation, the Juarez Racquet Club and the Sports Department of the city of Juarez, Mexico, to host the 2005 Junior World Championships in Juarez, has been signed in the brand new 11-court Juarez Racquet Club. Luke St. Onge (IRF), Enrique Licon (Sports Department Juarez), Miguel Gardea and Rauel Gardea (Racquet Club Juarez) attended the meeting yesterday to finalize everything for a successful World Juniors 2005.

The Federación Boliviana de Raquetbol will have it's National Selection Event on June 17-19 in the city of Sucre. This selcetion is highly important for the Bolivian Team Players as it decides on who will represent Bolivia at the Bolivarians which will be held in August 17-20, 2005 in Colombia.

Three living legends-- Jerry Hilecher, Steve Strandemo and Dan Obremski will be inducted into USA Racquetball's Hall Of Fame during the awards ceremony at the Houston Nationals on Saturday May 28th.

Peter Rakowski from Poland won the 2005 Antwerp Open. He defeated legandary Niklaas Deboutte from Belgium in the Mens Singles Final. The event was held at the Indoor Sports Club in Antwerp, Belgium. Players from all over Europe participated in this European Racquetball Tour Event.

Cuba celebrates the Latinamerican & Caribbean Integration Sport Encounter on June 17-30. Racquetball may be included in this event, depending on the number of International Racquetball Federations participating. To enter to this event contact Guillermo Marrero at , Federacion Cubana de Racquetball

Racquetball Canada is pleased to announce that Elisa Lane has accepted the position of High Performance Director effective May 1, 2005.  With her sport experience, Ms. Lane will work to improve the operations of the National Team Program, National Training Centres, and National Development Centres.

The 2005 European Championships in Hamburg, Germany will be under the patronage of Hamburg's First Mayor Mr. Ole von Beust. "We are honored by this recognition", says GRF-President Jorg Ludwig, "we hope that this patronage will increase the media interest for the Europeans in Hamburg and Germany."

One of the longest running tournaments in Ireland, the Kilkenny Open will be held on May 21-22 at O`Loughlins Sports Centre in Kilkenny City. Its the final tournament of the season. Entries are being accepted by John Comerford at . The tournament will provide players competition in the usual grades. Closing date for entries is Friday 13th May

Every year since 1984 a High Performance Racquetball Camp takes place in the USA, directed by former US National Team Coach Jim Winterton. This year's camp will take place in Colorado Springs at the USOC Olympic Training Centre and at the Lynmar Racquet Club. More international participation is expected this year. For any further information check the Information Download or contact Jim Winterton at

Another Newsletter: Racquetball Canada's latest Online Newsletter has just been published and is available for download at the Racquetball Canada website.

The 2005 US National Singles Championships will be held in Houston, TX May 25-30th. You may enter online at www.usaracquetball.com or download an application and submit it no later than May 11th (postmarked May 6th).

American Brian Fredenberg won his third Mens Open Singles title at the 2005 Irish Open in Arklow. He defeated the European ranked number 1 player, Timothy "Spiderman" Hardison (USA) in the final. Irish number 1, Susan Neary (Arklow) won the Womens Open Singles defeating Niamh Coffey (Touraneena).

Brandi Jacobson Prentice (picture left) of Saskatoon finished her junior racquetball career with a fifth consecutive victory in Girl's 18 and under singles at the 21st Canadian Junior National Racquetball Championships at the Duckworth Centre at the University of Winnipeg. In Boys' 18 and under, Saskatooner James Landeryou was runner-up for the 2nd year in a row, as he fell to Ryan Smith of Burlington, Ontario.

The Local Organising Committee has now sent out major information on the three upcoming European Championships in Hamburg, Germany this July. Competition will be held in Mens, Womens, Senior and Junior divisions.

The 6ème Open du Pays Basque will be held on June 24-26, 2005 in the Racquet Tonic Club in Anglet, France. Entry dealimne will be June 21st. Prizes will be give to the first and second in each division. Contact the tournament director for more information on this annual event.

The first Seoul Economic Newspaper Singles Open 2005 was very successful. Players from all over Korea and Japan enjoyed the challenge and competition  that this event offered. Both Open Singles Divisions by players from Japan:  Shimizu Hiroshi in the Mens Singles and  Uchiyama Hideko in the Ladies Competition. The event will be held in 2006 again. It is hoped that even more players from around the world will participate then.

The 2005 Canadian Junior Nationals 2005 will kick off today in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre. Check out all information on the event website.

The 2005 Antwerp Open in Belgium are coming up soon. Site of this event will be the Indoor Sports Club on May 14-15. Players from all over Europe are expected to play in this traditional European Event.

The Copa Contry Tournament 2005 will be held in Monterrey on May 12-15, 2005. Contact Miguel Perea for further information and download the information flyer for this event which is sanctioned by Racquetball Mexico.

During the Sportaccord 2005, an international sport convention, which was held on March 17-20 in Berlin Germany, the members of the Association of Recognized IOC International Sports Federations (ARISF) have elected IRF President Dr. Keith Calkins to the executive board.

Calkins will serve on the boeard for a 4-year-term.

The second National Championships 2005 in Costa Rica, which is a series of 5 events this year, is coming up this weekend. Check out the website for Costa Rica for more information about this event. The finals will be already held on Saturday.

The US-based Tennis Channel has now released the offical airing dates for the IRF World Championships and the IRF World Junior Championships broadcasts. All broadcast times are USA Eastern Standard Times and also subject to change. One of the next international highlights will be the Pan American Championships broadcasts, more info will follow later.

All paperwork done, the real work begins. The new Associação Brasileira de Raquetebol has been finally set in place with Ivo Katz as President. A webite is under construction. The IRF has officially approved the new Federation. Congratulations.

The Kingscourt Junior Team were the clear winners of the Team Competition at the 6th Irish Junior Open held in Kingscourt. The team amassed 44 points to the the inaugual team event at the Irish Junior Open and were presented with the Aisling Hynes Memorial Cup.

The XII Festival Olimpico will be held on June 02-05, 2005 in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the club Parque Central de SAN JUAN. Contact Pucho Miranda for any further information and see the information flyer.

New development in Peru. Mr. Carlos Davila has been elected as new President while Alfredo Flores took over the position as National Coordinator for the Peru Federation. Racquetball has developed mainly in the south over the past 10 years and is now gaining popularity in other regions as well.

The 6th Rosarito Beach Racquetball Open will be held in the Rosarito Beach Hotel on September 08-11, 2005 with over 10.000 US-$ price money. Women´s Pro, Open and beginners.  Men´s Open, A, B, C, Beginners and Open/A doubles will be offered. Contact IRF Vice President Rosy Torres for more information.

The local organising committee of the IRF World Senior Racquetball Championships (WSRC) has now released the entry form for the 2005 event to be held in Albuquerque, NM, USA once again. For any questions please contact Gary Mazaroff and his team.

The Torneo Estatal de Racquetball Selectivo 2005 will take place on April 20-25 in the Centro Deportivo Bancario de Tijuana. Please check out the information flyer from the Associacion Estatal de Racquetball de Baja California for more information on this event which is also sanctioned by the Mexican Racquetball Federation.

Noel O`Callaghan and Susan Neary, both seeded at number 1, were the winners of the Open Singles at the 15th Credit Union Castlebar Open 2005. O`Callaghan defeated Triston Hickey in the Mens Final while Neary defeated Elma Gibney in the Womens Singles Finals.

A new version of IRF NEWS, the official newsletter of the IRF has just been published and is available for download.  This edition features  results from the 2005 Pan American Championships and many information on Racquetball worldwide. Contributions for the next edition in July are always welcome and can be e-mailed to the IRF by the end of May.

With a well-balanced team effort, the University of Alabama once again captured the overall team title at the 33rd USRA National Intercollegiate Championships. Placing second in the men's and first in the women's team competetion, the Alabama team,  convincingly won their second straight national team title. The men's team competetion was captured by Colorado State University.

After an invitation by the Asociacion de Profesores de la Universidad Centroccidental “Lisandro Alvarado” UCLA (Barquisimeto-Venezuela), Luis Fernando Campo from Colombia, an AmPRO Advanced Instructor,  taught some basic racquetball lessons on March 29-31. This was a big effort to add new players in this region.

The IRF now made cheap racquets available for first junior developments or beginners. Those racquets from Richcraft (simular to picture left) can be purchased through the IRF office for 10 US-$ each plus shipping. Please contact Luke St. Onge for further information.

An international racquetball tournament will be held in Santiago de Cali, Colombia on October 12-17, 2005. Please contact the tournament organisers for any more information on this event which will be held at the Club Deportivo Canasgordas.

Martin Klippel (GER) defended his German Open Singles title against young Irish talent Tristan Hickey in the Open Final with 15-13, 15-12. Susan Neary (IRE) succeeded in the Womens draw against Kathy Tritsmans (BEL). This years' event has been the best German Open in the past 12 years.

The 1st Korea National Single Open,  sponsored by Seoul Economic Newspaper will be held on April 22-24, 2005 in Seoul, South Korea. This is a very significant tournament as it will be the first time since the Worlds 2005 in Korea that the sport will receive widespread media coverage. This is an opportunity to increase public awarness and popularity of racquetball in Korea. Check out the tournament informatio below for all details like price money etc. on this event.