Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 4/4/24
57-year-old John Henning won one of the strongest open singles brackets of the season at the 2024 Race 4 Eight Juarez, winning four matches against players as many as thirty-eight years his junior. Needing tiebreakers in both his round of 16 and quarterfinal matches, including a come-from-behind win after dropping game one 5-15 against Washington’s Andy Romanchock, Henning kicked into fifth gear in the semifinals and finals, sweeping Enrique Cordova and Alejandro Garcia, Jr. in two games to take the title.
“The WPH video library, the 3-Wall Doubles Masters experience (vs. Bike & Robles), time alone on the court, and my #1 fan, my dear brother, James Oviedo, were all major contributors (to the win),” stated Tucson’s John Henning. “Should be a memorable reflection to share with grandkids someday, what grandpa was fortunate enough to accomplish in Juarez at age 57.”
The monumental accomplishment brought back a number of wonderful memories for the ageless phenom, including the first time he played handball. “It’s been quite a journey for me,” stated Henning. “My first handball lesson at age 4 (1970) with Dick Roth, Jack Stebbins and the Selestow brothers (Blaze & Tony), moving to Tucson in 1997, starting Arizona Youth Handball Assn in 1998 with Fred Lewis (changed to Yes-2-Kids in 2000), stepping away from handball for many years due to my wife in the nursing home for 9 years and then my mom battling cancer for her final 3 years, and finally getting my business going the past 5.”
Henning will undoubtedly inspire many people, proving that with fitness, discipline and a love for the game, anything is possible, even beating aspiring pros nearly forty years your junior! Congratulations John.
View the Open Singles bracket at the 2024 Race 4 Eight Juarez HERE
Catriona post Juarez championship interview HERE
Leo Canales overcomes match points to hold off Ray Ure HERE
Catriona tours the world during her Race 4 Eight trips HERE
Martin post Juarez championship interview HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer