Paola Longoria wins at 12th Annual Great Balls of Fire

It was high noon in the city of Miami on Sunday, Feb 27th and a battle of great proportions was about to begin. Those who had witnessed these two juggernauts compete in the past, still. had no idea who was going to come out victorious. Who was going to take the title? "Rockin Rhonda" or "the Princess"? Game 1 went to Paola, then game 2 went to Rhonda. Wow! it was anybody's game at the University of Miami's Great Balls of Fire Tournament. It was a racquetball fight! and game 3 went to Paola, but again Rhonda came back swinging and took game 4! What a nail biter, at two games a piece- they headed into game 5- winner takes all. The final match between these two great women, both racquetball legends without a doubt, promised to be the best that the WPRO has to offer! The game was in Rhond's hands, at 10 to 6. It looked dim for Paola. Yet, some how Paola got the stop and from then on it was all PAO! PAO! The cheers were not just for the winner, but for both women! Amazing to the end,
the game between Longoria and Rajsich is the best of racquetball.

Here's the link from Univision's República Deportiva!

http://deportes.univision.com/republica-deportiva/videos/video/2011-03-06/paola-longoria-numero-uno-en

RestrungMag.com & Paola Longoria

http://restrungmag.com/video/come-on

RestrungMag.com, Did this amazing short video, on Paola Longoria at Vegas! it's called "Come On" and there are more videos to check out as well. If you love to read about racquetball go check out restrungmag.com. And we want to thank Restrung for being such incredible supporter to the game.

RBall Prospect Kayell

Kayell’s Racquetball Profile:

Kayell Vargas from Doral, FL is a regular military kid with exceptional racquetball skills. A “diamond in the rough”, Kayell’s making a name for himself in the racquetball junior circuit and there is no limit to how far he may take it. He is already considered to be the best junior racquetball player in the Doral area. He showcased his skills by participating in his very first racquetball tournament June 2010 at Harbor Island, Tampa, bringing back to Doral a couple of impressively earned medals.

He was Introduced to the sport, at the age of 12, by his father Herminio Vargas, AKA Lefty, who played racquetball recreationally and learned it while serving in Germany where Kayell was born. Here in the Sates though is where Kayell developed a profound passion for the game surpassing his teacher in skills in a very short time.

For last year and half, Kayell has been under the watchful eye and tutelage of Raul and Ralph, of Top Play Gear. Top Play Gear made him their junior choice to represent their newly launched racquetball clothing line. Kayell also plays with open players who live or play in the Doral area; some believe he is an up and coming racquetball star. He’s also a regular at the courts of LA Fitness Athletic Club and Doral West Complex in Doral, and has even commanded the curious attention of veteran racquetball players that come to play on Sunday mornings, all very eager to offer him racquetball tips.

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The two day tournament in Tampa, sponsored by Head, offered Kayell the platform he was looking for and his first true test to compete against juniors his age group. Representing not only Top Play Gear and it’s Piranha trademark, but also the city of Doral, his performance as the “new kid” was exceptional surprising many of his junior competitors and parents attending the event. On day one of the tournament, he lost his first singles match to local favorite racquetball stud, Shawn Cooperider. Not one to go quietly, Kayell took the next two games in impressive fashion by defeating 17year old Angel Rodriguez, from Miramar, Florida with a convincing 15-0 thrashing in the second game earning him his first medal in singles.

On day two of the tournament playing doubles with partner Max Gruer, the duo defeated both the Cooperiders and Rodriguez siblings to earn 1^st Place in doubles. All the games were high energy and intense drawing a nice crowed of spectators.

The last game against the Rodriguez’ Kayell and Max were down 11-0 before mounting an incredible comeback to complete the 2-game sweep.

Another favorite moment for Kayell was the day he was asked by Top Play Gear officials to play Ms Paola Longoria, the current #1 ranking Woman Racquetball player in the world as part of a filming for a commercial launching Top Play Gear. He was completely star-struck by this experience. He was excited to he see himself playing Ms Longoria during a mini-clip on the Spanish Television Network, Univision. She has left a memorable mark on him, and has inspired him to be the best in his division.

You’re Not Seeing Double

 Men’s Doubles has a new meaning. Introducing Ozzy & Mel Perez, twin brothers who will be making their way up the rankings. Ozzy recently won the Men’s Bs Doubles with partner Ralph Aguilera at the UM Collegiate Shootout in September 09, and Mel won in Men’s B Doubles (in the age division) with his partner Raul Perez.  Later in the year, the Miami duo also swept the Sarasota Tournament.  Mel won first place in the Men’s Singles Age Division (25+).  The twins also teamed up for the Men’s A’s Doubles and won first place.  They also won a local tournament in Miami Springs, FL.

Cuban- Americans, Ozzy and Mel have been playing racquetball since the age of six. Now in their twenties, they are not by any means new to the game. The brothers were introduced to the sport by their uncle Raul who plays with the roughnecks in outdoor four wall courts in Flamingo Park on South Beach. His uncle and friends have been training the twins for over two decades. Talk about the love of the game. The twins play no-nonsense, raw racquetball. True competitors, we’ll be following their game.

 

JMAN's Next Challenge!

Jason Mannino: His next challenge

On November 25,2009 IRT announced that Jason Mannino would be its next Commissioner.

JMan as he’s known, is devoted the sport of racquetball. He exemplifies a true gifted athlete with a lot of talent who’s known for his aggressive game.

Mannino, was born in New York, on January 18 1975. Over the years he has proven to be a true warrior and innovator in the art of racquetball. Throughout the last 15 years he has put on amazing performances showcasing his one of a kind style and technique, incorporating lob serves with a dynamic selection of one time kill shots that leave his opponents and spectators frozen in their tracks. Sometimes he seemed almost superhuman watching him fly around from one end to the other utilizing the whole court from the roof to the walls. JMann always had absolute control, and he knew it, as he could change the game at will. To know JMann is to know that he is a true competitor in the purest form.

In 1994 he won his first title in the “World Junior Championship” in the doubles category, playing with Sudsy Monchick, in the same year also winning the singles title.

During the IRT Tour, JMAN successfully won 22 tournaments becoming the sixth player ever to have that many titles in their career. He ranks third amongst the most participated players with 176 competitions at that level. The only players to have more are Ruben Gonzalez with (196) and Cliff Swain with (247).

During his tour in the US OPEN in 1999 and 2006, Mannino is one of the four men in the world next to Sudsy Monchik, Cliff Swain, and Kane Waselenchuck, that have been able to win the US OPEN more than one time.

He reached the (IRT) rank of # 1 during his play in 2002 – 2003.

His first victory came on March of 1997 in Rochester, NY, against John Ellis … His last victory came on October of 2009, when he beat Jack Huczek in the final at the Kentucky Open, despite an injury he sustained halfway through the match. And now we have reached a “new era” in Jason Mannino’s career as he has been named the next Commissioner of the International Racquetball Tour.

As a tribute to our new commissioner, Top Play Gear is presenting this short video that captures the essence of JMan’s game on the court. We offer all our support to our new “Commish”, and we are here to assist him with anything we can do to make I.R.T.as successful as ever. We here at

Top Play love the game of Racquetball and are committed to building and growing this wonderful sport. Congratulations again to Jason Mannino our new Commissioner!!!

Alejandro Herrera Dominated Sarasota!

This weekend "Top  Play Gear" participated in the Sarasota Fall Tournament held at the Bath & Racquet Club coordinated by Chad Baily and his group.

Players could participate in a myriad categories from class C to Open including a Small Ball tournament. The main attraction, however, was by far the Singles Men Pro and Doubles Men Pro. Again, there was a strong Latino presence on the courts. One tournament at a time, the Latino players were determined on taking the top spots in the world rankings.

Alejandro Herrera Reigns!

Alejo (as he’s known on the courts) is ranked 19 in the USRA. He went into the Sarasota Fall Tournament as a favorite which made him a target throughout the opening rounds in the tourney.  Among the ranks were competitive players such as Thomas Payne and Toby St. Pierre. Both are serious players who play to the max.  Alejo’s first game would be against Toby St. Pierre. Alejo struggled and lost the first game 15-13.

Perhaps for a moment St. Pierre thougt he had a good chance of winning, but Alejo wasn’t having it. Although he lost the first game, Alejo walked back onto the court with grit and and focus. His experience and competitive nature gave the spectators a great expo of how the game of racquetball  is supposed to be played. He eliminated St. Pierre by winning the other two games 15-2 and 11-9. Alejo would move on to his next opponent Agustin Tristan.

Agustin Tristan is from a town in Mexico called San Luis de Potosi where it’s said that the best racquetball in the world is played. An exceptional player with a charisma that makes him a crowd favorite,  he played in the tournament after recently recuperating from a knee surgery.

 

ALEJO vs. AGUSS was a much anticipated match,  an emotional game that both players were hell bent on winning. Agustin dominated the match at first making Alejo use his first time out in the first 5 minutes of the game.  The game was a continuous shift in strategies by both players which made the game exciting to the crowd, but pushed the players to their limits. Alejo wooed the crowd with incredible dives forcing Agustin  to match his intensity despite his knee injury .

 

Alejo vs. Aguss turned out to be the best match of the tournament. The final result was  a victory for Alejandro.  Agustin, however, made his point. Everyone knew that he was back in game!

Alejo played the final against  B. Slocum. Alejo was once again victorious winning 15-3, 15-5. Enough Said.

 

Alejo wasn't finished yet! He also played and won in the Men’s Doubles along with his partner Andres Ramires. Alejo and Andres defeated Slocum/ Schneider in the semi-finals. In the Doubles Final they lost the first game against Harmon/ St.Piere 14-15. It was an intense game, but Alejo and Andres finally pulled out a win 15-5, 11-7 .

As if that wasn’t enough, Alejo also won 2nd place in the Small Ball tournament. By far, it was Alejo’s weekend. He goes into the New Year with great possibilities of becoming one of the top 10 players.

Paola Stole the show in Miami

Everyone knows that Paola Langoria is a racquetball phenomenon. We actually got to watch her play! This weekend the WOR PK Championship Long Walls was held in Boca Raton, FL where Paola was the main attraction. At 5ft 5 inches, the young 20 yr. old representing her country of Mexico has a powerful and fearful game.

 

She’s won it all, the Junior IRF (International Racquetball Federation) for eight consecutive years 2001-2008 in her respective age categories. She also won the Panamerican Championship and the Central American Championship is 2006 and 2008 as well as a Gold Medal in 2009.

 

Her debut in WPRO was in 2007. In 2008-2009 she reached 8 finals and won 4 WPRO Tours including the US Open Racquetball championship in 2008 where she was the first Latin American (both men and women) to win this tournament. She is now the Number One ranking player in the world.

 

Paola’s game is as special as she is. Her swing is unique and her serve is perfect! It’s what makes her game lethal to her opponents.

 

Off the courts she’s delightful to talk to. She’s modest about her game and it’s hard to visualize that she is the same woman we just saw with the powerful and fierce arm. She enjoys music and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys photo sessions and loves to travel for leisure.

 

In and out of the court, Paola took it all. She was it all, the women’s single, women’s double and mixed double. She has everything it takes to demonstrate that she’s the best player in the world.