Rocky Carson captured his fifth World Outdoor National singles title (’02, ’04, ’06, 07) by winning the 2008 WOR Ektelon Racquetball Championships in Huntington Beach, CA. Carson, who is currently ranked as the number one men’s professional racquetball player in the world, indoor and outdoor, defeated fellow indoor player Alvaro Beltran in the finals.

Volume 2 of "Worlds Update" - the official News Bulletin of the 2008 World Racquetball Championships in Kingscourt, Ireland has been published. This News Bulletin features information on doping controls.

Progress at the "Casa de Racquetas" in Monterrey, Mexico and it's 6 racquetball courts. Construction is moving on well and the official opening is scheduled for November 2008. The club will also offer 6 squash courts, 4 badminton courts, 9 tennis table courts and 4 fronton courts.

August 26-30, 2008 are the dates for the 20th anniversary year for the IRF New Mexico Sports Authority World Senior Racquetball Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Deadline for entering this prestigious event is August 1^st.  The IRF World Seniors is the singlemost important fundraiser for the ‘Olympic Dream’ Campaign for Racquetball. 

Are you a world champion? Then you have the chance to order your own IRF approved World Champions ring with your name engraved. Simply fill out the order form and send it to Jostens, the official IRF partner for the World Champions rings.

A new website has been recently launched for Paris and France Racquetball. Check out www.paris-racquetball.org to find out more about some great new initiatives and activities in the city of love. The site is currently only in French but an English version will be available soon.

The 3rd IRF World Senior Doubles Racquetball Championships were held at the magnificent La Loma Club Deportiva in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, June 11-14.  Major sponsors for the event were E Force and Ektelon.  Sixty-five players competed in age divisions for men, women, and mixed doubles, representing four countries (Mexico, USA, Colombia, and Guatemala).

The 3rd IRF World Senior Doubles Racquetball Championships 2008 kicked off yesterday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and many first round matches have been finished already.
Players from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, the USA compete for prestigeous gold medals in varias age divisions.

One of the IRF's most succesful sanctioned competitions, the annual World Senior Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA just secured an offical name sponsor for the event. The 20th NEW MEXICO SPORTS AUTHORITY IRF World Senior Racquetball Championships will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA August 26-30, 2008. Brian O'Neill, Executive Director of the NMSA, is excited to become part of this premier international racquetball event.

With less than 2 months away from the opening ceremony of the 2008 World Championships the official launch of the Worlds took place last Thursday with the Minister Brendan Smith and other important dignitaries and sponsors in attendance. The world can come to Kingscourt, Ireland now...

Players from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and the USA have already signed in for the 3rd IRF World Senior Doubles Champonships 2008 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The entry deadline is coming up close (June 4th) so hurry up and make your arrangements to compete in this high class event.

Thirteen IRF Level 1 referees were certified during a 3 day course in Sucre Bolivia last week. CODEBO, the Bolivarian Games Organization Comitee fully supported the course and even Bolivia's new Sports Vice Minister, Mr. Miguel Aguilar attended the opening ceremony.

The 2008 USA Racquetball National Singles Racquetball Championships concluded on Monday as Gold medals were awarded in 74 championship divisions. The women took center stage as Cheryl Gudinas-Holmes defeated Kristen Bellows in the championship finals, 15-2, 15-5. With her win, Cheryl has won seven women's singles championships in the sports top division. The Men's U.S. Team championship Rocky Carson defeated Jack Huczek 12-15, 15-9, 11-4.

Live video streaming for the 2008 USA Racquetball National Singles Championships will be broadcast by www.racquetballonline.tv. See interviews, match commentary all week and a special live broadcast of the Grand Gala Banquet and Hall of Fame 35th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, May 24 at 7pm.

The 2008 Canadian Racquetball Championships kicked off yesterday at the Cedar Springs Health Racquet and Fitness Club located in Burlington, Ontario. Players from all across Canada contend for doubles, mixed doubles and singles championships played at various skill and age categories.  

The official host hotel for the 14th IRF World Racquetball Championships 2008 in Kingscourt, Ireland is filling up very fast. Teams and delegates are adviced to book their rooms NOW! In order to do so, send an email to hotelreservation@racquetball-wc2008.com and make sure you your stay in the official host hotel is guaranteed.

"Today is a great day for Boliva Racquetball", says it's own President Roberto Aracena. No wonder, the Bolivian Federation has just re-launched it's new and official website for Racquetball in the South American country. Besides recent news, all major results from Bolivian tournament as well as pictures are availbale on this site. Enjoy.

The entry deadline for the 3rd IRF World Senior Doubles Championships 2008 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico is coming up soon. The event will be held 11th - 14th June at the La Loma Centro Deportivo. Divisions are for men and women over 35 years of age with five year age categories including 85+. Each player may enter any two events for which they are qualified.

ESPN360.com will become the official home for live IRT action this fall. A deal was signed before the Motorola IRT Pro Nationals presented by Verizon Wireless between ESPN and the IRT to broadcast all semi-final and final matches at all tier one IRT events in the US. Air times will be in primetime and re-aired in prime time. More details are coming so keep your eyes on the IRT website.

Just five minutes away from Guatemala City Airport and a future site of big international events: The new 8-court-facility is in progress now and promises to be one of the best racquetball complexes worldwide.  Construction will be finished by the end of 2009.

It has to start somewhere... Currently played on a Squashcourt, racquetball made it's debut on the Canary Islands with the first tournament being held in Fuerteventura this month. Plans for the real courts are underway. The Canary Islands are one of the 17 the autonomous communities of Spain.

Guatemala's junior train harder. A group of juniors went to Tarrales Reserve, a beautiful Natural Reserve, favorite of many for Bird watching.  Tarrales has a Racquetball court and the special thing about this incredible place is that it has all the 4 ecosystems of Guatemala in the land. The group was there for four days for intense racquetball training and physical traning. 

Over 100 juniors competed in the Irish Junior Open 2008 that were held in Fermoy. One of Ireland's leading clubs Touraneena was very successful this year. One of their members is Eithne Skehan, who already competed on the national team at last years Europeans; she won the girls under 21 division against Donna Ryder.

Great news from Mexico: Construction of one major sports facility in Monterrey has now begun. The "Casa de Racquetas" will have 6 racquetball courts, 6 squash courts, 4 badminton courts, 9 tennis table courts and 4 fronton courts.

The KINGSPAN Group plc. has agreed to be the main sponsor of the 2008 World Racquetball Championships. Kingspan Group plc is the leader in insulated roof systems and has it's headquarters in Kingscourt, Ireland, the site for the 2008 Worlds.

The 14th IRF World Racquetball Championships 2008 in Kingscourt, Ireland are only 107 days away now. With time running so fast, the Local Organizing Committee opened a special webpage today on which teams, delegates and individual players can submit their arrival and departures times for the 2008 Worlds. Just go to the Worlds website and fill out the information needed.

Congratulations to Rocky Carson (USA) on his big win at the Mexico Open this past weekend. At the Rio Racquetball Club in Tijuana, Rocky blazed through the draw, winning every game of the twelve he played! In fact, this was the third event this year Rocky won without losing a single game.

Germany`s Martin Klippel proved his pedigree when he won the German Open in Hamburg for the 6th occasion. In the final he defeated old rival Trevor Meyer 15-9, 9-15, 11-5. The Womens Open Singles was won by German National Champion Yvonne Kortes who defeated Renata Hartman in the final. The Mens Doubles Champions are Joachim Loof and Trevor Meyer.

Turkey's own Ayten Kececi and Carlos Oviedo from Madrid are the winners of the 2008 Istanbul Open. Oviedo defeated Peter Rakowski (Poland) in the mens singles final while Kececi Filiz Limon (also Turkey). The event was held in the Hillside Sports club in Istanbul, together with a Squash tournament at the same venue.

Ireland's Fermoy Open 2008 had a few surprises to offer when some of the top seeded ladies and mens singles players were knocked out in early rounds to let Joe Farrell and National Singles Champion Ciara McManamom win the 2008 singles titles. On his way, Farrell defeated top players Noel O'Callaghan and Tristan Hickey to also defeat Adam Neary in the final.

Mexico's Alvaro Beltran and Paola Longoria are the 2008 Pan American Championships Singles Champions. This years' "PanAms" were extremely successful for Team Mexico anyway. A record high of 15 countries competed in the 2008 Pan Americans.

Good news for Turkish Racquetball: The Mayadrom Sports Center, Turkey's biggest indoor sports club, anounced it's first racquetball event of the year, the Mayadrom Sports Center Open which will be held April 3-7, 2008. Contact Turkey's Racquetball President Ayten Kececci for further information.

The 3rd IRF World Senior Doubles Championships 2008 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico are coming up next. FYI, the closest airport is San Luis Potosi and Continental Airlines flies directly through Houston, TX and American Airlines flies directly through Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX.  Contact Tournament Director Gary Mazaroff at gmampro@aol.com for any further details.

North, Central and South America meet in San Jose, Costa Rica for the Pan American Championships this week and the worldwide community can follow the action LIVE on the internet again. Just go to www.racquetballonline.tv, log in and follow the action at the San Jose Indoor Club.

The 2008 Pan American Championships are now underway in San Jose, Costa Rica. Follow the action live at the event website with almost in time updates of the draws. 165 players from 15 countries will compete for gold medals in this IRF regional competition.

Germany's Yvonne Kortes and Victor Montserrat from Barcelona defended their singles titles at the 2008 Italian Open in Brembate/Bergamo last weekend. Players from 7 countries competed in another great European major event. Montserrar defeated Carlos Oviedo 15-7, 15-3 while Yvonne Kortes finished a tough final against Barcelona's Elisabeth Consegal 15-11, 15-14.

Big upset for Irish National Singles Champion Noel O’ Callaghan: After 17 consecutive wins in the National Singles, this year he was defeated at the semi final stage already by 22-year-old Triston Hickey 15-7, 15-8. In the other semi final Liam Hughes defeated Adam Neary 2–1. The final show down between Triston and Liam  was a one sided affair with Triston having no answer for Liam’s power and shot selection, Liam won 15-3, 15-4.

The biggest racquetball event in Japan, the Japan Open will be held 3rd - 6th May in Tokyo again. Prior to the open competitions, all skill level divisions will be held in April. The main venue will be  Wel Sunpia Tama (Tama city, Tokyo) while three other clubs in the Tokyo vicinity will be used as sub-venues.

All Ireland Senior & Junior Singles Championships will take place in Kingscourt this weekend, a total of 110 players will compete for the 20 titles up for grabs.  It starts with under 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, Novice, D, C, B and Open. All eyes will be on the men’s open competition where Noel O’ Callaghan will be aiming to win his 18th consecutive men’s open title.

77 players from Japan, Korea, and China competed in the 2008 Asia Open that were held in Japan in January. Both Open Singles titles went to the host country Japan as Michimune Kono defeated Yuuki Nakano in the Mens Open Singles, while Seiko Yoshimura defeated Bae Yun Mi (Korea). In addition to the official competition, a friendship cup was played between students from Korea and Japan at the same time.

The 3rd IRF World Senior Doubles Championships 2008 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico are coming up in June and entries are now formally accepted. The event will be held 11th - 14th June at the La Loma Centro Deportivo. Contact Tournament Director Gary Mazaroff at gmampro@aol.com for any further details.

Over 400 students from High Schools all over the United States competed in the 2008 USA Racquetball 21st National High School Racquetball Championships. Taylor Knoth def. Ryan Ingram 15-7, 15-5, Sharon Jackson def. Courtney Chisolm 15-4, 15-5.

Paola Longoria and Polo Gutierrez are the 2008 Mexican National Singles Champions. Longria defesated Karen Torres while Gutierrez claimed a victory against National Team mate Gil Mejia. In Mens Doubles, 'old' heroes Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno defeated young and hopefulls Ruben Estrada and David Ortega.

As of today, the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan are only 504 days away and Racquetball manifested it's appearance with the exciting announcement that besides the portable court which will be shipped for the event from Korea, a new and permanent court will be built right at the competition venue. The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports that are not contested in the Olympic Games.

The 2008 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships concluded in Tempe, AZ as over 100 National Doubles Racquetball Champions were crowned with Gold Medals. The event is the premiere doubles tournament in the US and determined one-year appointments to the U.S. National Team that will be competing in the 2008 IRF World Championships in Ireland: R. Carson/J. Huczek def. J. Thoerner/M. Williams (15-6, 15-14). J. Paraiso/A. Ruiz def. R. Rajsich/J. Tisinger (15-11, 15-7)

The 2008 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, AZ kicked off yesterday with plenty of action. Make sure to check out some live action by going to www.racquetballonline.tv. This internet broadcast will stream all of the matches until the end of the event (February 17th).

Julie Skekan breezed through the Womens Open Singles at the Moylagh Open in Ireland last weekend. Skehan defeated Newport`s Donna Ryder in the final by 2 games to nil. Number 1 seed Noel O`Callaghan recorded a similar victory over Liam Hughes in the Mens Open Singles. The Mens Doubles was won by Pat Hanley and Liam Hughes while the Gibney sisters Ailish & Elma won the Womens Doubles for the host club.

Turkey Racquetball hosts the 2008 Istanbul Open on March 28-30 in the Hillside City Club-Etiler. It is the first racquetball event in Turkey this year. Contact Federation President Ms. Ayten Kececci for more information or check the European Racquetball Federation website for more in the near future.

Busy schedule for Mexian tournament officials: While the National Championships (a qualifier for the Pan Ams in Costa Rica) will be held in the middle of February in Torreon, another major event, the National Masters will be held two weeks later in Chihuahua. There are plans to broadcast the master finals live on the internet.

The International Racquetball Federation is most pleased to officially announce that the 20th IRF World Junior Championships 2008 will be held in the USA at the Arizona State University Recreation Complex located in Tempe, Arizona. The dates have been set to December 15th to December 20th, with the opening ceremonies being held on December 14th.

Yvonne Kortes and Martin Klippel (both from Hamburg) are the German National Singles Champions 2008. Kortes defeated 17-year-old talent Lara Ludwig in two straight games to claim her 9th singles title while Klippel won his 7th title against Trevor Meyer with 15-7, 15-5.

The Italian Open 2008 are coming in March. This European Racquetball Tour event takes place March 8-9 in Brembate, at the same site that has hosted the 2007 European Championships with great success. No doubt that the 3rd Italian Open will be a great success itself as well.