Martin Pre-Juarez Conversation
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 2/25/25
Martin Mulkerrins has emerged as the tour’s dominant player, ending the 2023/24 season with three consecutive titles and kicking off the 2024/25 season with two consecutive titles, a 310-day winning streak totaling twenty-six consecutive match wins and five consecutive Race wins, bringing his career Race total titles to eleven (tied for third-most all-time). Mulkerrins saw his streak come to an end at February’s Race 4 Eight Red in a tiebreaker final to Lucho Cordova after winning two tiebreakers earlier in the event.
Martin will enter the 2025 Race 4 Eight Juarez with an undefeated record in Juarez, having won the 2024 Race 4 Eight Juarez and the 2024 Pre-Race event in Juarez. Mulkerrins will aim to continue his Juarez streak and start a new Race streak in his quest for his second consecutive Player’s Cup.
Renowned for his humility and sportsmanship, Mulkerrins respects all of his opponents and learns from all of his losses. Martin had a pre-Juarez conversation with the WPH, discussing his streak-breaking loss at the 2025 Red, where he rates his five-tournament win-streak amongst his career accomplishments, his place in Race 4 Eight history, playing in Juarez, coaching at Texas A&M, and much more.
Where would you rank your five-tournament, 26-match Race winning streak amongst all of your incredible handball accomplishments – All Irelands, Player’s Championships, national titles, and world titles?
I think it’s a different feeling of satisfaction, many of the others involve consistency for a shorter period of time, it’s great to have had a run of consistently performing well and winning
Does losing at the 2025 Red and ending your streak take pressure off of you?
I didn’t really feel any pressure with it. I want and aim to win all of the tournaments I play in, so I am still very determined going into all the tournaments in our busy schedule between now and the end of the season.
With eleven Race titles, do you think about your place amongst your fellow Race 4 Eight greats: Killian (23), Brady (15), Lucho (11)?
It’s nice to be mentioned there, I suppose, but I know I have the potential for further improvement and I just hope that I’m fortunate enough to be able to stay injury free and have the time to keep coming and win more stops.
What do you like about playing in Juarez?
One of my favorite things about handball has been the ability to travel and play around the world. Juarez is synonymous with handball and I was genuinely delighted to have got the opportunity to play there twice in 2024. The club is class and I enjoyed the huge crowds and excitement around tournament.
You are undefeated in Juarez but you were just a few shots from being eliminated in the semifinals of the 2024 Juarez, down 12-15, 2-12 against Sam Esser. How did you stave off what appeared to be a sure defeat and win that match?
There was nothing to lose at that stage. Sam had outplayed me up until that point. I was able to up my intensity and played more aggressively and gradually the momentum shifted in my favor.
What is different about playing in Juarez compared to other stops?
I think the atmosphere was particularly noticeable there last year. There were large, vocal crowds which really added to the overall experience.
Is it difficult to play a hometown hero in Juarez with the crowd passionately cheering for their heroes?
Playing Leo or the Cordovas is going to be tough no matter where you play them, but of course they have great support there. I didn’t find that difficult really, as I said, it was refreshing and enjoyable to be able to play in a place with a huge passionate crowd watching.
After a disappointing tournament in Montana, do you erase that from your memory or rewatch and think about what you could have done differently?
I wish the outcome were different, but I think there were good learning opportunities from the tournament. It has refocused me on elements of my game and preparation in general for the upcoming tournaments.
You always set your sights on the Player’s Cup (year-end Race #1) at the start of each season. You obviously got off to a great start this season, winning your first two starts. What will you change, if anything, with your preparation and mindset heading into the second half of the season?
I am working on all elements of my game. There was a big gap from early November to late January for me without a tournament so the upcoming intense schedule will help with one of the key elements of being sharp and at match/tournament pace.
Could you briefly discuss your coaching duties and current trip to the collegiate nationals with your Texas A&M team?
We are just back from the nationals. It was hugely successful for us, as our team won or placed second for national titles in Men’s Open, Women’s A and combined A, as well as winning individual championships in both men’s and women’s divisions. It was great to be there as a coach with twenty-four students participating. The growth in participation levels is something we are very happy about.
Follow the brackets from the 2025 Race 4 Eight Juarez HERE
2025 Juarez Race 4 Eight Press Release HERE
Danos Finding His Pre-Juarez Groove HERE
Pre-Juarez Interview with Lucho HERE
Mando Returns to the Tour in Juarez HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer