As in every racket sport, racquetball requires skillful and agile players. The ball must not hit the ground twice. For 13 years Paola Longoria has revolutionized this discipline, played in a court with four walls and a ceiling, after winning her 98th title a week ago, becoming the Professional Tour top 1 for the 10th time in a raw.
The Mexican will come to Lima 2019 eager for her ninth Pan American gold medal in singles, doubles and team categories. Racquetball courts of Callao Regional Sports Village will witness the all times best player in action, from August 2 to 10.
Longoria in one of the most influent and admired athletes in Mexico. At the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, she was the “Aztec” delegation flag bearer. She confirmed her supremacy on the court, winning three gold medals, repeating what she did in Guadalajara 2011. In addition, she comes to Lima with a superb background, after being world champion in 2012, 2014 and 2016, even though she lost to Ana Gabriela Martínez from Guatemala in 2018, her nemesis.
“My dream is to confirm my title in Lima 2019 and go for those three medals. I have to train intensely every four years. Rivals now analyze you and play tougher. That's why I chose to go on camp with my team before traveling to Peru, so I could reach my top level”, the “Chaparrita” said.
Longoria will compete in doubles matches together with her compatriot Samantha Salas. Their rivals will be Valeria Centellas and Yazmine Sabja from Bolivia, current world champions. To watch these matches at Callao Regional Sports Village, you can buy your tickets at www.lima2019.pe/tickets.
RACQUETBALL AT LIMA 2019
Racquetball competitions at the Pan American Games will have singles, doubles with a group system with a round robin format. After this qualifier round, there will be a second qualifier round. All competition stages will be played at the best of three sets. First two sets will be played to 15 points and the third to 11 points, according to the International Racquetball Federation regulations.
Racquetball players quota is 60, equally divided in men’s and women’s categories. Doubles and singles competitions will start on August 2. The final is scheduled on the first session of August 7. The team’s competition will end three days after that, on August 10.