Armando Ortiz Jr
Date of birth: 10/21/1988
Height: 5’6
Dominant hand: Left
Hometown/where you live now: Norwalk, Los Angeles Calif.
Coach (now/ever): Ortiz Family, Los Angeles Handball Family, Coach Tommy Burnett
Sparring partner(s) at home: Marcos & Carlos Chavez, Vince Munoz, Naty Alvarado Jr plus many more
Most important win in a tournament and most satisfying win in a tournament: My most important win in a tournament would have to have been in 2011, qualifying in Tucson. I just came off of an open-heart surgery, so to qualify was tremendously important to me. The most satisfying win was the same qualifying tournament, beating Allan Garner. The win over Allan gave me strength, motivation and the confidence to pursue handball at the top level
Best tournament ever won: I have many favorite tournament championships. Defeating David Chapman and Emmett Peixoto in the finals at the USHA Nationals in Minnesota with Sean Lenning was my best win to date. Also, slamming the Collegiate Nationals in 2009 at Minnesota was another important championship for me as not many handballers have accomplished that.
How long have you been playing: I have been playing handball since I was born. I cannot remember when I first started playing but I do recall vividly playing a Big Ball tournament when I was about five years old at La Mirada Park, CA. At that time, I was playing strictly big ball and soon converted small ball. I won my first national title at the Venice Beach Junior Nationals and my handball career took off from there
What do you do for work: I’m in pipeline construction. Working in construction has helped my handball game from the inside out.
What are your goals in handball going forward: One of my goals is to maintain playing top-level handball and hopefully win a national title and to win a world title. Secondly, I want to start a junior handball program in the neighborhood in which I was raised. I want to give back to the game
What are your goals for the R48 season: Easy, to be #1 and stay on top as much as possible.
Favorite handball tournament: The 3-Wall Southern California handball championship, the Simple Green U.S. Open of Handball and the Jake Plummer Helluva of a Bash tournament.
How do you prepare for Race events: To prepare myself, I jog/run everyday of the week at my jobsite before starting hard labor work. After work, I push myself to hit the gym or ride my Fixie Bicycle on the canal, as well as trying to play handball three times out of the week.
What do you love about handball: I love every aspect of the game, from the cardio, mental toughness, the preparation, the people and that there is no height required to play this sport,
Favorite pro player (now or ever): Vince Munoz: his style, quick feet, first strike ability and his smooth demeanor. Marcos Chavez is also one of my all-time favorites, of course
How would you describe your game: First Striker, I’m aggressive and I love to shoot the ball
What is your best shot: Fly kill and the revolving door off the back wall
Given the choice, what top R48 event would you most like to play: I have to say either Idaho (Plummer) or Fountain Valley (Simple Green)
Who has inspired you to play this game at such a high level: Marcos Chavez, Vince Munoz, all of Southern California handball family and mainly most all the pros. As a kid I always wanted to play in pro division
Who do you think is the best player of all time: 4-wall: statistically, Naty Alvarado Sr and David Chapman, but truly, Paul Brady. Big Ball 3-Wall: Samzon Hernandez.
Which pro would you most like to have played in his prime? Naty Sr, David Chapman, Tati & David Silverya, Poncho Monreal, Vince Munoz, Randy Morones, John Bike Jr
2011/12 Race Record:
10/11 (Idaho): Rd of 16 Loss (Shanks)
10/11 (California): Rd of 16 Loss (McCarthy)
11/11 (Arizona): Rd of 16 Loss (Shanks)
01/12 (California): Quarterfinal Loss (Moreno)
01/12 (Georgia): Did Not Attend
02/12 (Utah): Rd of 16 Loss (Cordova)
03/12 (California): Did Not Attend
05/12 (Washington): Alternate Invite
2012/13 Race Record:
Did Not Attend
2013/14 Race Record:
10/13 (Idaho): Finals Loss (Garner)
10/13 (California): Did Not Attend
1/14 (Houston): Did Not Attend
02/14 (New York): Semifinal Loss (Brady); 3rd Place (Def Alvarado)
03/14 (Denver): Quarterfinal Loss (Peixoto); 5th Place (Lenning)
04/14 (Salt Lake): Invite
Summary
Mando Ortiz is in control of his own destiny. Coming off major open heart surgery in late 2010, Ortiz recovered to thrill audiences all over the country. A big ball 3 wall cross over, Ortiz is a first striking wizard with revolving door perfection and a serve that is easily in the top 5.