Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 4/12/26
The United States Handball Association and the World Players of Handball were thrilled to collaborate on the 2026 USHA Hall of Fame & R48 Pre Qualifier at the Tucson Racquet Club. The organizations generously donated $4,000 towards the pro prize money, producing a sensational Men’s Pro field that included three of the top 10 players on the Race 4 Eight.
Men’s Pro Singles
Race 4 Eight #3 and recent Race 4 Eight LAAC finalist Leo Canales headlined the 2026 Hall of Fame pro singles. Canales was joined by R48 #5 and 2025 R48 Portland Classic finalist Ivan Burgos, R48 #10 Max Langmack, and several of the tour’s next generation stars.
Canales made the 100-mile drive east from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10 in second gear on Saturday morning and stayed in second gear throughout his three matches at the Hall of Fame, defeating former R48 Elite 8 member Stephen Cooney in two games in the quarterfinals, rising R48 star Andres Cordova in two games in the semifinals, and R48 #5 Ivan Burgos in two games in the final.
Canales played within himself throughout the event, playing with the poise and confidence of a top three Race pro. Canales continues to add big titles to his resume, while his first Race win appears to be on the horizon in the near future.
“I was serving well and took control of the front court,” stated Canales after the final. “I didn’t feel like I played too well to be honest. Just grinded out points. Honestly though, I think I just did a good job of extending rallies and staying patient. Didn’t really force a lot of shots and just made sure to win the front court. Thank you to tournament director Matt Krueger and the sponsors and to the WPH of course.”
Quarterfinals
Canales def Cooney 21-7, 21-10
Burgos def Montijo 21-9, 21-8
Langmack def Rosales 21-14, 21-4
Andres Cordova def Ruiz 21-19, 21-8
Semifinals
Canales def A. Cordova 21-7, 21-12
Burgos def Langmack 21-17, 21-17
Final: Canales def Burgos 21-13, 21-10
R48 Hall of Fame Pre Qualifier Final
By virtue of both Hall of Fame finalists being in the R48 Elite 8, the third place match between semifinalists Max Langmack and Andres Cordova became the R48 Hall of Fame Pre Qualifier final. Langmack edged his younger adversary in the one-game final, winning the travel stipend and entry into next month’s Player’s Championship in Salt Lake City.
Pre Qualifier Final: Langmack def A. Cordova 25-20
5th place playoff final: Montijo def Ruiz 21-16, 21-9
Watch the matches on Braulio Ruiz’s YouTube page HERE
Thank you to the USHA and WPH for collaborating on an outstanding Hall of Fame tournament.
Follow all of the brackets from the 2026 USHA Hall of Fame & R48 Pre Qualifier HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer