Kansas City, MO, WPH Press, 8/9/26
The Kansas City Athletic Club proudly played host to the Quirk World 3-Wall Doubles Tournament on the second weekend in August at one of the world’s most unique and outstanding outdoor handball venues.
The 2026 Quirk featured Men’s Open, 35+, 50+, 60+, and 135+ combined small ball doubles brackets and Open big ball doubles.
Men’s Small Ball Open Doubles
Race 4 Eight pros Sam Esser and Jeff Streibig teamed up to dominate the Small Ball Open Doubles at the 2026 Quirk, outscoring their three opponents by a combined score of 126-41. “We played well,” Esser would later say. “(In the final) Jeff’s speed up front made it hard for them to end rallies and we got our kills going as the match went on.”
Semifinals
Streibig/Esser def Team Doan/Martin 21-7, 21-6
Team Willis/Facio def Team Hernandez 3-21, 21-6, 11-7
Final: Streibig/Esser def Team Willis/Facio 21-10, 21-5
Men’s Big Ball Open Doubles
Chopper and Jesse Hernandez prevented the Team Streibig/Esser slam in the Big Ball Doubles final, while keeping Chopper’s undefeated Midwest Big Ball streak intact. “The Hernandez brothers were too much for us in the big ball final,” Esser would later say. “Chopper hit some unbelievable shots and Jesse held his own on the right side.”
Semifinals
Team Hernandez def Team Campos/Mendez
Streibig/Esser def Team Varela/Espinosa 21-7, 21-9
Final: Team Hernandez def Streibig/Esser 15-7, 15-8
Thank you to the KCAC for the outstanding hospitality throughout the 2026 Quirk.
Thank you to Sam Esser for the pictures and updates from the 2026 Quirk.
WPH Destination Series Kansas City HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2026 Quirk World 3-Wall Tournament HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer