Portland, OR, WPH Press, 10/11/26
Final: Mulkerrins def Lenning 15-11, 15-13
Martin Mulkerrins entered the 2026 R48 Portland Classic final seeking his fifth straight R48 Portland Classic title and his eighteenth Race 4 Eight title in his twenty-sixth Race final. Sean Lenning entered the 2026 R48 Portland Classic final aiming for his eighth Race 4 Eight title in his twenty-fourth Race final and first since 2023.
Mulkerrins played his best handball of the event to start the final, building an 11-6 lead with airtight defense and stunning kills and passes. Lenning quickly caught Mulkerrins at eleven with a barrage of kills. Mulkerrins quieted the pro-Lenning crowd by calling a timeout and ending the game on a four-point streak.
Mulkerrins extended his scoring streak into the second game, building a 3-0 lead. Mulkerrins’s tactics continued to quell the Lenning attack, as Lenning was unable unleash his offensive firepower.
Mulkerrins seemed to have both hands on the crystal trophy at 13-4, but as seemingly innocuous error at 13-4 gave Lenning the boost he needed. Lenning scored nine consecutive points in five innings to tie the score, sending the MAC crowd into a frenzy. “No lead is safe with these guys,” Mulkerrins would later say. “I was pleased with how I managed psychologically and I was pleased how I played to get to 13-4. He had a chance to get to 14, but that’s the way it goes.”
Mulkerrins managed his emotions and his game to earn a side out and end the match with two consecutive kills.
“They’re all equally satisfying,” Mulkerrins would tell ESPN’s Kara Mack after winning his fifth R48 Portland Classic. “Winning one pro stop was my dream. Sean had beaten me in St. Louis, Salt Lake City and the Nationals. Very pleasing to come out on the right side today. You have to block out the noise and focus on what you can control. I had the chances at the Nationals and played very well. It’s just so competitive (on the tour). I don’t look past any game so I don’t take any game for granted. Everyone gets my full respect. I treat everyone the same and play as hard as I can. I want to thank all of the sponsors who make this possible, the NYAC, Owen Gloves, John Egbert, my team, my father, and students watching, Conor Casey and the WPH.”
Playoffs
5th place final: Burgos def Doyle 25-9
Ivan Burgos won his second match against in six attempts against Mark Doyle in the fifth place final, steamrolling Texas Dolly with his unique blend of offense from every spot on the court.
“Mark got me last time we played so he probably had a little more confidence,” Burgos would tell ESPN’s Kara Mack. “I know I can beat anybody if I just apply myself on the court. I only really worry about my ankle during the warmup. If I land on it, it’s distracting but it’s just an obstacle. I just focus on my mindset, 100%. I’ve had some really bad losses, so I just want to build up some momentum. I want to get to that next level and get to the top.”
9th place final: Ruiz def Hernandez 25-7
Shorty Ruiz dominated the ninth place final against Dylan Hernandez, racing to a 5-0 lead with just seven swings and continuing to dominate all facets of the match after his fast start.
“I have been playing Dylan for years so I knew what I wanted to do, moving him side to side and going for kill shots,” Ruiz would tell ESPN’s Kara Mack. “I felt good today.”
2026 R48 Portland Finishes
1st: Mulkerrins
2nd: Lenning
3rd: Lucho/Canales
5th: Burgos
6th: Doyle
7th: Danos/Langmack
9th: Ruiz
10th: Hernandez
11th: D. Schmitt/Trejo
13th: Biddle/Gaulton/Gardea/Miller
Updated Race 4 Eight Rankings Post the 2026 R48 Portland Classic
With his eighteenth Race 4 Eight title, Martin Mulkerrins remained the Race 4 Eight #1 after the 2026 Portland Classic, while 2:30 marathoner Ray Ure remained at #2 after skipping Portland for the second consecutive year.
Mark Doyle remained #3 and Lucho Cordova #4.
Wedding man Leo Canales stayed in the top five, while Sean Lenning’s first Race final since 2023 and twenty-fourth overall Race final vaulted him from #8 to #6. Ivan Burgos dropped from #6 to #7, while Danos Cordova dropped from #7 to #8.
Dylan Hernandez rose to a career-high #9 after finishing tenth in Portland, while Coleman McGrath slide from #9 to #10 after skipping Portland. Max Langmack’s seventh place Portland finish saw TGG rise to #11.
Race 4 Eight Portland Classic and JR WPH Clinic and Tournament
JR WPH, alongside the MAC handball coaches, proudly presented a junior handball clinic and junior handball tournament following the Men’s Pro Final on Sunday at the famed Multnomah Athletic Club. “JR WPH was thrilled to be involved with the exciting MAC junior handball initiatives and we were proud to offer expert coaching to the MAC juniors, as well as watching the MAC’s future handball stars compete in the 2026 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic junior brackets,” stated the WPH’s David Fink.
WPH Master Instructor David Fink and WPH Coach and R48 #7 Ivan Burgos led a group of 18 juniors through various games and drills to help the junior players develop better technique and have more fun on the court.
Thank you to the MAC’s Jean Kastner and the WPH’s Che Lowenstein for recruiting and coaching so many future handball stars.
Jeff and Jean Kastner Awarded with the WPH Cornerstone Award
The World Players of Handball was thrilled to honoring Jeff and Jean Kastner for the vision and dedication that brought the World Players of Handball to life. In the defining early moments of the WPH, Jeff and Jean’s commitment provided the strength and momentum that made all of the WPH’s success possible, building the foundation upon which this sport continues to thrive. Thank you to Jeff and Jean for your incredible passion for the sport of handball and to the WPH.
Thank you!
Thank you to 2026 R48 Portland Classic Conor Casey for another outstanding Classic. Thank you to MAC court sports director Hank Marcus. Thank you to Kathleen Adelman, David Delaney, the Casey family, and all of the volunteers and donors who made the 2026 R48 Portland Classic an incredible event. Thank you to the WPH broadcast team and staff, hardest-working and best team in sports.
Watch Saturday and Sunday replays from the 2026 R48 Portland Classic on the ESPN App
Follow all of the draws from the 2026 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer