2023 R48 + WR48 LTE New Orleans Mardi Gras Full Preview
New Orleans, LA, WPH Press, 1/8/23-
The 2023 R48 + WR48 LTE New Orleans Mardi Gras marks the 74th event in the history of the Race 4 Eight tour and first WR48 LTE event in Race 4 Eight history, with the tour spanning 17 states in the R48’s first ten+ seasons.
The 2023 R48 + WR48 LTE New Orleans Mardi Gras will feature the “Flying Cordovas,” Martin Mulkerrins, David Fink, Leo Canales, Jr., Shorty Ruiz, Ashley Ruiz, Mikaila Esser, Aimee Tuohey, and a numbers of the top pros challenging for the R48 and WR48 Elite, as well as the Missouri State Handball Team and the University of Texas Handball Team. More than 80% of the players entered in New Orleans are under the age of 32.
Lucho enters New Orleans as the defending Mardi Gras champion (2020) and as the #1 ranked R48 pro for the first time, reaching number one by winning the last two R48 stops (2022 Memorial, 2022 Icebreaker) and reaching the final in the season’s first stop in Portland. Lucho has won five of his last six WPH pro starts, including three WPH Icebreakers in the summer of 2022. “Watching Lucho last summer, I predicted he would win at least three stops during the (2022/23) season,” stated WPH Executive Director Dave Vincent. “He already has won two with six stops remaining in the season and he is the guy to beat at every event.”
The WR48 is guaranteed a new champion in New Orleans, as none of the women entered in New Orleans have ever won a WR48 event. “This is a great opportunity for the ladies entered in New Orleans to become part of history and join Catriona, Martina, and Danielle as the only players to ever win a WR48 stop,” stated the WPH’s David Fink.
Check out all of the important 2023 R48 + WR48 LTE New Orleans Mardi Gras tournament information below.
2023 R48 + WR48 LTE Mardi Gras Info
- Date: January 13-15, 2023
- Site: Ochsner Fitness Center, 1200 S. Clearview Pkwy. Harahan, LA 70123
- Tournament director: WPH
- Tournament sponsor: JR WPH
- Pro Events: R48 + WR48 LTE
- List of Race 4 Eight New Orleans pro champions: Brady (2016), Carroll (2017), Lucho (2019), Lucho (2020), Casey (2020)
- Defending Mardi Gras R48 champion: Lucho (2020), Casey (2020)
- Number of ranked R48 and WR48 pros entered: 21
For more info on the 2023 R48LTE/SR48 New Orleans Mardi Gras, including starting times and to follow the brackets go HERE (Brackets to be posted by Friday morning)
2023 R48/WR48 New Orleans Mardi Gras press release HERE
Become a WPH Patreon HERE
Race 4 Eight Fun Facts HERE
Race 4 Eight pro player bios HERE
WPH Coaching Centers HERE
WPH Workout Central HERE
2022/23 Race 4 Eight schedule HERE
WPH RACE 4 EIGHT: The World Players of Handball’s 2022/23 Race 4 Eight XI Powered by ESPN features Race 4 Eight stops in Oregon, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Texas, and Pennsylvania, all culminating with The Player’s Championship in Utah in May of 2023. Similar to NASCAR’s Nextel Cup and the FedEx PGA Playoffs, players earn points in the Race 4 Eight’s regular season stops to qualify for the season-ending Player’s Championship and bonus prizes.
For more information on the WPH Race 4 Eight, please contact World Players of Handball Executive Director David Vincent at dave.vincent@wphlive.tv or World Players of Handball Development Director David Fink at david.fink@wphlive.tv. For more information on the World Players of Handball, please visit wphlive.tv
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David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
The World Players of Handball and the New Orleans handball community are thrilled to host the WPH R48Pro Mardi Gras Open, January 13-15, 2023 at the Ochsner Fitness Center, located at 1200 S. Clearview Pkwy, Harahan, LA 70123.
This event has been voted as one of the favorites on tour! Come attend and see why…
This is an official stop for the men’s elite R48Pro’s and Women’s very best WR48Pros, plus amateur divisions for those that want to take part in the action.
WPH R48Pro (Men) and Light event for the women (WPH WR48Pro LTE); where the women receive 1/2 rankings points and reduced money for this stop.
If more than 32 players, play may begin Thursday afternoon; otherwise a 9am starting time for all pros. Prize money may increase pending draw size.
Must be a USHA and WPH member to attend.
On-line Entry, HERE
Full Tour Schedule HERE
Sunday January 15, 2023, WPH/ESPN Broadcast Schedule (All Times Local CST)
(10:00 to 13:30 Broadcast Window)
10:00 Men’s Pro 9th: Burgos vs Langmack or 5th Place: Esser vs D. Cordova TBD
10:45 Women’s Pro Singles: Clodagh Munroe vs Aimee Tuohey
11:30 Men’s Pro Singles: Martin Mulkerrins vs Luis Cordova
Watch LIVE on ESPN+
Brackets: HERE