WPH Outdoor handball pros have become superstars and celebrities for their dazzling skills, larger-than-life personalities, and flare for the dramatic on the biggest stages during the first six seasons of the WPH Outdoor tour. Check out your favorite WPH Outdoor pro’s bio below.
Samzon Hernandez
Age: 9/25/1990
Height: 5’11
Hometown: Hawthorne, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Paramount Park
Favorite pre-match music: none
Best/favorite shot: stiff-arm left kill/pass
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #1 (2012, 2017)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 13-time Champion (most in history)
Strengths: power, intensity, stiff-arm left, court coverage, aura
Summary: Samzon Hernandez was recognized as being the best Big Ball player in Southern California in his mid teens, traveling to virtually every court in L.A. to challenge and defeat the best player on his home court. Nothing changed with the inception of the WPH Outdoor tour in 2012, as Hernandez won nine of the first 16 WPH Outdoor events, all five WPH Outdoor Simple Green U.S. Opens, and 13 events overall. Hernandez appeared to be unbeatable throughout much of the first three seasons and while he has not won with the same regularity since, Hernandez still possesses the skills and burning desire to win to dominate once again. Don’t be surprised to see Hernandez start another dominating run
Juan Santos
Age: 6/24/1994
Height: 5’9
Hometown: Orange, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: El Camino Real Park
Favorite athlete: Ronaldinho
Favorite pre-match music: none
Best/favorite shot: Right-handed left corner kill from the right side of the court
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #1 (2013-2016)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 12-time Champion
Strengths: finesse, offense, serve, anticipation, calm under pressure
Summary: Playing with serenity unique in pro handball, Juan Santos appears to simply float around the court. Santos is never rattled or rushed, even in the closest matches. Santos has won four Player’s Cup Player of the Year trophies in the first five years of the tour. Santos relies on his unmatched anticipation to be in the perfect position to hit virtually every shot, and once in position, Santos delivers precision kills or passes. Santos plays the game unlike any other on the WPH Outdoor tour, making him a treat to watch and the greatest challenge for his peers
Timbo Gonzalez
Age: 10/16/1991
Height: 5’10
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Strong hand: Right
Home court: St. James Park
Favorite athlete: Steph Curry
Favorite pre-match music: Hip hop
Best/favorite shot: Left-hand whip to the right corner
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #2 (2017)
Best WPH Outdoor Singles Finish: Champion (Downey ’16, Vegas Lte ’16)
Strengths: power, front court play, quickness, agility, intensity
Summary: Timbo Gonzalez is one of the fiercest competitors in the sport, playing each point as if it’s his last. Gonzalez is the top 1-Wall Big Ball player in the world but has proven that he can adapt to 3-Wall and 4-Wall as well, as evidenced by his 3-Wall singles title at the WPH Outdoor Vegas Lte ‘16 singles and finals appearances in several other WPH Outdoor singles events. Gonzalez’s matches are rarely lacking drama, as the opponent, the referee, the cameraman, and the fans become part of the spectacle. Gonzalez creates must-see matches with his sensational athleticism and compelling style of play and has his sites set on the WPH Outdoor #1 ranking. Recent history has shown that his goal is attainable
Shorty Ruiz
Age: 6/2/1987
Height: 5’5
Hometown: Brea, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Obregon Park
Favorite athlete: Lebron James
Favorite music before a match: George Michael (Careless Whisper)
Favorite shot: Right hand right-corner kill
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #3 (2016)
Best WPH Outdoor Singles Finish: 3rd
Strengths: lob, power, unpredictable shot making
Summary: Shorty Ruiz has been revered for his outstanding skills since his teenage years, combining power, a full arsenal of shots, and a crowd-pleasing style to his all-around game. Ruiz was the first player to be ranked on the Race 4 Eight and WPH Outdoor tours simultaneously, proving that his all-around skills translate indoors and outdoors with the big ball and small ball. Ruiz was carried off the court by his fans after slamming the 2011 WPH 3WallBall Championships, defeating David Chapman and Sean Lenning along the way. Ruiz is a big-game player who loves the biggest stage and should hoist many WPH Outdoor huge titles in the coming years
Ricky Ruiz
Age: 1/27/1989
Height: 5’11
Hometown: East L.A., CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Obregon Pak
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Favorite pre-match music: 90’s rap
Best/favorite shot: sidearm right corner kill
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #2 (2014)
Best WPH Outdoor Singles Finish: Champion (Tecate 2014)
Strengths: two-handed attack, all-around game, experience, competitiveness
Summary: Ricky Ruiz comes from a handball family and has been on the handball court since before he could walk. His experience in the game is obvious to anyone who watches this Southern California superstar, as Ruiz combines a small ball indoor game with the big ball outdoor game to make him one of the game’s most dangerous players. Ruiz has the ability to end rallies from anywhere on the court with either hand, while also possessing the experience to rally and frustrate his opponents with superb defense. Ruiz already owns one WPH Outdoor singles title and with his skill set, don’t be surprised to see him add a few more in the coming years
Manny Suarez
Age: 5/26/1994
Height: 6’3
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Drake Park
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Favorite pre-match music: Tupac
Best/favorite shot: overhand spike kill to the left corner
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #1 (January 2017)
Best WPH Outdoor Singles Finish: Champion (Iceman ’17)
Strengths: reach, overhand kills, disposition, power, tenacity
Summary: Manny Suarez burst onto the WPH Outdoor scene with a bang, winning the first singles event he ever entered at the 2017 WPH Outdoor 6 Iceman, toppling Timbo Gonzalez and Samzon Hernandez in the semifinals and finals, respectively. Suarez became the first WPH Outdoor pro to win his first singles starts in his triumph at the ’17 Iceman, then validated his standing as one of the best indoor big ball players in the sport, advancing to the semifinals of his second indoor start at the Salt Lake City Aces ’17. Suarez is one of the tallest players in WPH Outdoor history, and uses his height and reach to cover the court with great efficiency. Because of his spectacular game and friendly nature, Suarez is a WPH Outdoor fan-favorite. Look for him to add to his WPH Outdoor singles resume in the near future
Alfredo Morales
Age: 10/4/1993
Height: 5’11
Hometown: Tustin, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Frontier Park
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Favorite pre-match music: The Pretenders, Foo Fighters
Best/favorite shot: Right-handed left corner kill
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #4 (2015)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: Champion (X-Fest II ’16, Salt Lake City ‘17)
Strengths: lob, back court play, finesse kills, strength
Summary: Known as “El Hombre,” Alfredo Morales is one of the smoothest and most gifted players to ever compete on the WPH Outdoor tour. Possessing the ability to hit lobs to the top of the wall or rollouts with either hand with devastating consistency, Morales has the ability to make the game look easy, even against the best players. Morales was the best player to have not won a WPH Outdoor singles title entering the 2016 X Fest II, having lost all four WPH Outdoor finals in which he appeared. Morales changed that with a dominating wins against the WPH Outdoor #1 and #2 stars Juan Santos and Timbo Gonzalez at the X Fest II, routing both en route to winning what most believe will be his first of many WPH Outdoor singles titles
Chava Cordova
Age: 2/12/1992
Height: 5’8
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Paramount Park
Favorite athlete: Catriona Casey
Favorite pre-match music: none
Best/favorite shot: Right-handed kill shot
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #3 (August 2015)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 3rd
Strengths: flexibility, sneaky power, whip with both hands, speed
Summary: Freakishly talented Chava Cordova has been a regular in WPH Outdoor semifinals since his early 20’s, always on the cusp on breaking into the elite group of WPH Outdoor singles champions. Cordova possesses two equally strong hands that can end rallies from virtually anywhere on the court. Cordova often plays the most exciting matches against the game’s top players and as he comes into his prime, Cordova will be on the short list of favorites in each WPH Outdoor event
Kevin Gonzalez
Age: 7/15/1993
Height: 5’8
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Strong hand: Left
Home court: El Camino Park
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Favorite pre-match music: Drake
Best/favorite shot: Left-handed left corner kill
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #4 (May 2016)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 3rd
Strengths: strategy, rallying, streaky, unorthodox offense
Summary: Kevin Gonzalez in the top-ranked left-handed player in WPH Outdoor history, with his left being one of the most lethal strong hands in the sport. Gonzalez’s unique style forces matchup problems for virtually every player on the tour, as players have to adjust to playing a lefty, while also playing longer rallies than which they are normally accustomed. Gonzalez has been ranked as high as number four on the tour and has his sites set even higher in the coming years
Lobo Valencia
Age: 1/21/1981
Height: 5’5
Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Buena Park
Favorite athlete: Neymar, Jr. (soccer)
Favorite pre-match music: Calle 13-Vamos a portarnos mal
Best/favorite shot: soft kill
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #5 (June ’15)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: Champion (X-Fest ’15)
Strengths: lob, tap kills, shot selection
Summary: One of the most underrated players on the WPH Outdoor tour, Lobo Valencia has the ability to defeat any player in the game. Valencia disguises his lob better than any player in the sport, luring his opponents to the front court by appearing to setup for a kill and flipping the ball effortlessly over their heads. Valencia also owns one of the deadliest shots on the tour, the soft (tap) kill. Valencia has the rare ability to consistently deaden the ball off his hand and roll the ball flat, even with his opponents racing to cover the kill. Valencia is one of the few players to defeat WPH Outdoor #1 Juan Santos in WPH Outdoor play, proving that while he may not be the short list of favorites entering an event, he is capable of winning the biggest titles on the tour
Sal “Wiz” Duenas
Age: 9/16/1983
Height: 5’9
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Any court, any time
Favorite athlete: Anderson Silva (UFC)
Favorite pre-match music: Yeezy
Best/favorite shot: Left-handed underhand kill
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #4 (September 2015)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 3rd (June 2013)
Strengths: two strong hands, strategy, consistency, don’t judge the book by its cover
Summary: Known as the Wizard of Orange County, the Wiz has been a fixture in the WPH Outdoor top 10 since the inception of the tour in 2012. Duenas is the only player in WPH Outdoor history to have played in every official WPH Outdoor event, no small feat considering events have spanned two countries and four states over the history of the tour. Duenas uses his lifetime of handball experience to find ways to win, even when the odds seems to be stacked against him. Duenas’ adaptability is likely his greatest strength, as the proud father of two is one of the best in the sport at making mid-match adjustments to frustrate and overcome his rivals
Tanisha Groomes
Age: 9/29/1988
Height: 5’2
Hometown: Buena Park, CA
Strong hand: Right
Home court: Independence Park (Fullerton)
Favorite athlete: Allen Iverson
Favorite pre-match music: Hip-hop
Best/favorite shot: Right hand right corner kill
Current WPH Outdoor Ranking: #1
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #1 (current)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 13-time Champion
Strengths: serve, right hand kills, clutch, comebacks
Tanisha Groomes is one of the most dominant athletes in professional sports, having won an astounding 13 of the 16 WPH Outdoor singles events in which she has entered (81%), including an 18-match winning streak to kick off her WPH Outdoor career. “T” is perhaps the quickest learner in handball, having started playing handball less than four years before winning her first WPH Outdoor title. Groomes’ best asset is her ability to play her best when she is seemingly out of a match, as evidenced by overcoming match point down seven times in 16 events. Groomes is one of the most exciting players in the sport, always willing to go for her shots, regardless of the score or magnitude of the moment. Groomes has developed sensational rivalries with Catriona Casey, Tracy Davis, and Ciana Ni Churraoin, with the four elevating Women’s WPH Outdoor Singles to the most compelling division in the sport
Tracy Davis
Age: 3/30/1977
Height: 5’9
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Home court: Asser Levy/Coney Island/West 5th St.
Strong hand: Right
Favorite athlete: Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Rookie Wright
Favorite pre-match music: HAM by Kanye West
Best/favorite shot: Any shot that ends the rally
Current WPH Outdoor Ranking: #3
Highest WPH Outdoor Ranking: #2 (September 2013)
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: Champion (3WallBall ’13)
Strengths: Serve, fly kill, poise, paddle kills
At 39 years of age, Tracy Davis is a living legend in the sport and still one of the best players in the game. Davis is unquestionably the fittest player competing in any of the WPH Outdoor brackets, as well as being one of the most well liked superstars in the game. Davis wins and loses with class, always serving as an ambassador to the sport. Davis’ “serve-and-shoot” style makes her dangerous against any opponent and a threat to hoist any trophy on the WPH Outdoor series. With age, Davis’s desire to compete has only intensified, as she will invariably display emotions during a match that would have never been seen a decade
Danielle Daskalakis
Age: 3/5/1990
Height: 5’4
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Strong hand: Left
Home court: Westside YMCA
Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter and Ronda Rousey
Favorite pre-match music: Southpaw soundtrack
Best/favorite shot: Power serve with reverse
Current WPH Outdoor Ranking: n/a
Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #3
Best WPH Outdoor Finish: 2nd
Strengths: serve, front court play, hops, competitiveness
Summary: Danielle Daskalakis has established herself as one of the best all-around handball players in the world, ranking at or near the top in women’s 4-Wall, 3-Wall, and 1-Wall. Daskalakis owns the best serves in women’s handball and often follows her devastating serve with a first-strike kill. Daskalakis’ impressive all-around play makes her a fan favorite in every city in which she competes and a threat to any player on the Women’s WPH outdoor tour. Daskalakis brings a hybrid outdoor-indoor style to the Women’s WPH Outdoor tour that befuddles even the greatest stars in the women’s game, as evidenced by Daskalakis’ impressive tiebreaker victory againdt WPH Outdoor #1 Tanisha Groomes at the 2014 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships. Daskalakis is also one of the WPH’s top coaches, leading the WPH sponsored Harry Mellis Westside YMCA junior handball program in weekly clinics in Brooklyn and coaching JR WPH clinics across the country. Danielle is truly an ambassador in the world of handball, idolized and by junior players and revered by fans and peers
To view the WPH Outdoor Rankings, go here
To view the WPH Outdoor History of Champions, go here