Jonathan Iglesias, Costa Rica

Player Info

DOB: 7/10/1986
Born in NYC
Resides in Costa Rica
Interests: Swimming, yoga, biking, rollerblading, dancing

Weight: 155

Height: 5’7, right handed

Greatest Win: Charley Shanks

Occupation: Entrepreneur

College: Lake Forest College

Major: Business and Anthropology

Coach (now/ever): Growing up my coach was Mike Watson. College coach was Coach Dau.

Sparring partner(s) at home: I regularly spar with Vlad Klym and Jurell Bastidas

Best Tournament win: Collegiate doubles with my buddy Suhn Lee

Most satisfying win: Winning the Public School Athletic League team championship finals against Jurell Bastidas 21-20. Our teams were neck and neck and it boiled down to our game (1st singles)

The most important aspect in handball: To me is having and pursuing a passion.

How long have you been playing: I’ve been playing 1 wall since I was 10 years old and 4&3 wall since I was 15 years old

What do you do for work: Learning the ropes @ bay bridge enterprises (construction company)

What are your goals in handball going forward: To win the 2014 Simple Green U.S. Open of handball

What are your goals for the R48 season: To have a breakthrough tournament and remain happy and healthy.

Favorite handball tournament: Jake Plummer Bash

How do you prepare for Race events: Train my talent in practice and trust my talent in competition then repeat.

What do you love about handball: It fulfills my 6 human needs:

1.Certainty – the need for comfort and consistency

2.Uncertainty – the need for variety and challenges

3.Significance -the need to feel important and wanted

4.Love and connection -I love my handball family

5.Growth -the need for constant development emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

6.Contribution- going beyond ourselves and giving to others. (With help of the Costa Rica handball association, handball is now recognized as an official sport and will be played in every public H.S)

Favorite pro player (now or ever): Luis Moreno and David Chapman

How would you describe your game: A little bit of everything: Flow and go

Given the choice, what top R48 would you most like to play: Luis Moreno

Who has inspired you to play this game at such a high level: The WPH

Which pro would you most like to have played in his prime: Fred Lewis

2011/12 Race Record:

R48 I #1 Plummer ’11: Did not start

R48 I #2 U.S. Open ’11: Tied 9^th place: Round of 16 loss (Alvarado)

R48 I #3 Tucson ‘11: Did not qualify

R48 I #4 Fresno ’12: Did not start

R48 I #5: Atlanta ’12: Did not start

R48 I # 6: Salt Lake City ’12: Did not start

R48 I #7: LAAC: Did not start

R48 I #8: TPC Seattle: Did not qualify

2012/13 Race Record:

R48 II #1 U.S. Open ’12: 9^th place: Round of 16 loss (Nett)

R48 II #2 Tucson ’12: Tied 7^th place: Round of 8 loss (Fink)

R48 II #3 Houston ’13: Tied 11^th place: Round of 16 loss (Al. Garner)

R48 II #4 Alaska ’13: 9^th place: Round of 16 loss (Alvarado)

R48 II #5 Denver ’13: Tied 9^th place: Round of 16 loss (Perez)

R48 II #6 Salt Lake City ’13: Did not start

R48 II #7 TPC Seattle:  Did not start

2013/14 Race Record:

R48 III #1 Plumer Family Bash ’13:  Qualifier Loss (M.Chavez)

R48 III #2 US Open ’13:  Rd of 16 Loss (Nash)

R48 III #2 Houston ’13:  Did not start

Summary

Scrappy New York style (fly kill, paddle returns, driving passes and dangerous serve) has Iglesias forcing his way into the game’s elite.