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.