First Pro Win
WPH Press, Tucson
The WPH is thrilled to bring you the Race 4 Eight Rising Stars Corner, your chance to get to know the sports rising stars playing on the most exciting handball tour in the sport.
On Edition 1 of the Race 4 Eight Rising Stars Corner, our young stars were asked who was their favorite pro and how that pro inspired them to become great players.
Race 4 Eight Rising Stars Corner Edition 1: The Pros That Inspired the Rising Stars HERE
On Edition 2 of the Race 4 Eight Rising Stars Corner, the rising stars will discuss the first time they defeated a pro in a tournament and how it felt to know they could compete and defeat the best in the sport.
Jab Bike
Current Race 4 Eight ranking #27
Jab’s age at the time of the pro win: 23
First pro win: Ivan Burgos (#11 at the time) in the ninth place playoffs at the 2023 WPH Tucson April LTE Tourney
In Jab’s words
It was a close match the whole way, I ended up winning 25-22. I was able to get out to an early lead and hold it until the end. He did keep it close the entire way though I’m pretty sure.
The win felt really good. Even though it was in a dropdown, it still really mattered to me. This was in April and it was the second to last tourney of the R48 season. The whole season was a learning experience for me, as I took a lot of losses against players that were better than me. This was my first win against a player who was having a much better season than me and better than me. It showed me that the work that I had been putting in was starting to show, but also that I needed to keep working to get to where I want to be. That was one of the first matches of the season last year that showed me I can improve if I work hard enough. Ivan beat me in Montana earlier in the season, and won again in Salt Lake City at the Players Championship after this match. I am looking forward to playing against him a lot throughout the future. He’s a great competitor.
*Since beating Burgos at the 2023 R48LTE Hall of Fame, Jab has registered WPH tournament wins against Max Langmack (#9) and Sam Esser (#10)
Ivan Burgos
Current WPH ranking: #13
Ivan’s age at the time of the pro win: 21
First pro win: Daniel Cordova (#3 at the time) at the 2022 WPH Race 4 Eight Tucson Memorial
In Ivan’s words
The match was close from the beginning. I won the first game 17-15 in overtime and the second game 15-6 after Daniel re-injured his foot. I remember going into the tournament in lousy form. I hadn’t been playing well in practice the past few weeks before that. Because of that, I didn’t have great expectations going into the weekend. I think I played well because I went into the match so calmly and with a mentality that I had nothing to lose. I served well, limited my mistakes, and took care of the opportunities I was given.
The win was a surprise to me. It was great, first of all, even to compete with a player who has been at the pro level for so long, and I grew up watching in my later teen years. I took away many lessons from that match because I was adjusting my game from more of a junior game to a pro-level game. It also gave me confidence at a time when I was still adjusting to my life in Tucson and couldn’t get my handball game rolling
John Chapman
Current WPH ranking: #33
John’s age at the time of the pro win: 26
First pro win: Bill Mehilos (#16 at the time) at the 2022 Tucson Memorial
In John’s words
At the popular 2022 Tucson Memorial, I had the tough matchup against the seasoned pro, Bill Mehilos, who held the #12 seed while I held the #21 seed. The anticipation for me was substantial, and I was fueled with determination.
The one-game-to-25 format was never my strength as I tend to start slow but I seized control in the first half, crafting a commanding lead of about 15-6 as we headed into halftime. But this was no time to rest on my laurels. Billy unleashed a relentless comeback, using hop serves and fly kills to keep me on my toes, denying me any chance to settle into the rallies.
With the score teetering at 22-21 in my favor, I made a crucial decision and called my final timeout. It was a make-or-break moment. With unwavering focus, I regained control of the serve and delivered three jaw-dropping serves that sealed the deal.
The excitement that washed over me was unparalleled, and the cherry on top was having my mom there to witness this historic moment for me.
Mark Doyle
Current WPH ranking: #12
Mark’s age at the time of the pro win: 19
First pro win: Abraham Montijo (#11 at the time) at the 2022 Tucson Memorial
In Mark’s words
I feel like I got a lead early and then the rest of the game was really close but I was able to hold him off because of my early lead.
It was my first ever match in a pro stop so it felt great to win, there was actually a huge sense of relief too because before the game I was asked to do interviews and there was a lot of talk about me being the new kid on the tour so to get a win over a player as good as Abe it was a brilliant feeling.
Eilise Mc Crory
Current Race 4 Eight ranking: #3
Elise’s age at the time of the pro win: 24
First pro win: Mikaila Esser (#5 at the time) at the 2022 Tucson Memorial
In Eilise’s words
I won that game fairly easy! So, blowout of you want to use that term. I felt very comfortable playing in Tucson and I wanted to make an impression starting out on the tour.
I was very happy with that win. It was my first game on the pro tour, so it installed some confidence in my game for the remainder of the season
Clodagh Munroe
Current WPH ranking: #7
Clodagh’s age at the time of the pro win: 18
First pro win: Ashley Ruiz (#3 at the time) at the 2023 WR48 New Orleans Mardi Gras
In Clodagh’s words
I got a great start in this game taking a 10-0 lead in the first game, Ashley pulled a few points back but I closed out the first game 15-3. Ashley played better in the second game beating me 15-7. The tiebreaker was evenly matched throughout the game but I fell 11-10 down and took a timeout, coming back in from the timeout I got the serve back and finished out the game 15-11.
I was relieved to win this game given it was so close but this was an important game for me as it gave me an insight to what playing level I’m at regarding playing in pro tournaments. I was also extremely excited to play in my first ever pro tour final.
Ray Ure
Current Race 4 Eight ranking #26
Ray’s age at the time of the pro win: 16
First pro win: Sam Esser (currently #10) at the 2019 Illinois State Singles Tournament
In Ray’s words
The match was very even. I ended up winning the first game 21-19 and losing the second 15-21. After that I started off slow and went down 8-0 (in the tiebreaker), leaving little room for error. I slowly climbed back as the tiebreaker continued. There was a group of Missouri State players cheering for Sam, while there were Illinois people cheering for me. The match tied up at 10-10 with Sam having the serve. I remember there being a frustrating call that happened which allowed me a last bit of momentum I needed to get the serve back and win 11-10.
This win was very important because it was my first big Open level win and I was a heavy underdog. It is a win that allowed me to realize how much improvement I was having in the sport.
David Walsh
Current WPH ranking: #11
David’s age at the time of the pro win: 21
First pro win: Ryan Bowler (#24 at the time) at the 2020 R48LTE New Orleans Mardi Gras
In David’s words
I ended up winning 15-2 15-6. I remember at the time when the bracket came out that I was really ready for it. Ryan had beat me the previous year to qualify in San Francisco. He’s a top player, hopefully we will see him back on the tour soon.
I felt a great sense of relief, it’s definitely not easy to qualify on the tour, that’s a big achievement in itself. Lucho brought me back down to earth quickly in the next round!
Thank you to our Rising Stars for sharing their thoughts on their first pro win and inspiring all of us.
Do you have a question for the Rising Stars? Email me at David.fink@wphlive.tv
Stay tuned for more Race 4 Eight Rising Stars Corner throughout 2023
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David Fink
WPH Senior Writer