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.

Miami Beach Racquetball is the Best Competition in Miami!

If you ever wanted to play serious racquetball, then show up to the Beach! Miami Beach's Flamingo Park Racquetball Courts are legendary. The best outdoor 4 wall courts in south Florida. You need to be in top physical condition to face the best of the best. Every Tuesday and Thursdays after 5:30 p.m. you'll find great matches. Fierce competitors play there, and they take the game to a higher level. 

The best players in the city always pay a visit to the park, win or lose, its fun and once you play there... you'll be back for more.

Here is a Pic of some of the regulars that dominate the courts on the beach.

Racquetball-Se Habla Español

Hello Racquetball Fans,

 

It is undeniable that our sport has evolved within the past 5 years.  In South America alone the sport has already taken roots. With our Latin fervor and explosive competitiveness, Latinos have finally been able to produce world-class champions.

 

Mexico is taking the lead in both the male and female categories where they’re bringing the sport to new heights and making it difficult for the rest of the countries to contend. Among these great athletes are Gilberto Mejias, Polo Gutierrez, Javier Moreno -all world champs. However, even amongst these great names Alvaro Beltran, MEX  is the best of the best.

 

Alvaro Beltran, Mex

 

He ranks 7^th in the IRT. An exceptional and consistent player with an incredible game, he’s won the World Singles in Mexico 2000, doubles  (with partner Javier Moreno)in Dominican Republic 2006, and the Pan American Racquetball Championships for the past three years.

 

He started  the IRT circuit in 2001 where in eight years he ranked among the top 5 racquetball players in the world. He’s an enviable opponent who was the only player able to defeat the fantastic Kane Waselenchuck in 2008-2009.

 

Beltran still has a lot left in him. He won the title of SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR in 2003-2004 and is undoubtedly the best Latino racquetball player in the history of the game.

 

Colombia is another Latin American country to birth great players such as Juan and Andrés Herrera, Ranked 11 and 14 in the IRT, respectively. These players are continuously edging there ways up the ranks, and fans are beginning to notice.

Ajejandro Herrera, COL

Currently ranked 17 in the IRT, Alejo (as he’s known) lives in Miami where he rigorously trains to be a contender as a world class athlete. Although he’s extremely focused on his game, he’s also considered very “cool” and charismatic which are prevalent traits in Latinos. Alejo has also played in WOR tournaments where he torched the courts with his style and game making a way for other up and coming Latino raquetball players.

These are just a few of the Latino world class athletes who demonstrate that Racquetball has no borders or limits.

In my next article, I will give some information about our female athletes who without a doubt are more numerous than the men although just as fierce and passionate about the game.

US Open Memphis 2009

Paola vs Rhonda at the US OPEN

WPRO Racquetball Champs

 

 

The US OPEN came to an exciting close with grand matches and new records set.

Always a treat to watch, WPRO dazzled us at the US OPEN once again where we witnessed the much anticipated match between between Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rausich. Paola Longoria  the #1 ranking women’s racquetball world champion defending her US OPEN title in raquetball vs. Rhonda Rausich who ranks #2 in the world and is a two time winner of the US OPEN determined to win back her US OPEN title.

Other contenders for the title included Janel Tisinger, Jen Saunders, Kerri Wachtel, Kristen Bellows, Cheryl Gudinas, and Angela Grisar.

The title was determined by and exciting 5 game match between Paola and Rhonda where Rhonda won her third US OPEN title.

We would also like to recognize that the Latin American women came out full force.

 Paola Longoria (MEX) 4 - 1

Susana Acosta-Mendoza (MEX) 1 - 1

Sofía Rascon (MEX) 1 - 1

Samantha Salas (MEX) 0 -1

Cristina Amaya (COL) 1 – 1