Canada Wins Men's Racquetball World Team Gold
The Canadian men's squad secured the gold medal after defeating Mexico in the final match in Temuco, Chile.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Other Sports
Team Canada captured the men's gold medal at the XXIII IRF World Racquetball Championships held in Temuco, Chile. The victory came after Canada defeated Mexico in the final match, with Coby Iwaasa and Sam Murray winning their respective singles matches.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant improvement for the Canadian team, which had finished with a silver medal two years ago. The win establishes Canada as a top contender on the international stage after a dominant run through the tournament bracket.
Coby Iwaasa won his individual match 14-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, while Sam Murray secured his victory with scores of 3-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6. Canada clinched the title by winning both singles matches without needing a tiebreaker.
The players
Coby Iwaasa
A Canadian racquetball player who achieved his first world championship title as part of the winning team.
Sam Murray
A member of the Canadian men's racquetball team who contributed a singles victory to the gold medal win.
The details
Canada advanced to the final by defeating Argentina in the round of 16, Ecuador in the quarterfinals, and Bolivia in the semifinals. Coby Iwaasa notably secured his first world championship title as a member of the winning team.
Timeline
The men's gold medal match took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The Canadian men's team won the silver medal two years ago.
Coby Iwaasa and Sam Murray also won a doubles gold medal in 2024.
Season Trajectory
This gold medal performance elevates Canada in the international racquetball rankings and builds on momentum from previous cycles. The result confirms the team's upward trajectory as they transition from their silver medal standing two years ago to top-tier status.
This gold medal win solidifies Canada's position at the top of the standings heading into future international competitions. The success of individual players like Iwaasa and Murray suggests they will be central figures in the upcoming competitive rotation.
The takeaway
The Canadian team's success demonstrates the importance of consistent performance across singles and doubles formats in international play. Aspiring athletes can look to this win as an example of how steady progress over several years can lead to championship results.
Further reading
Learn more about national athletic performance in the Other Sports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lethbridge Herald - News and Sports from around Lethbridge.
