Just two weeks after the Simple Green U.S. Open Race 4 Eight V Stop #1, the Race 4 Eight returns to the home of the World Players of Handball in Tucson, AZ for the Tucson R48 Memorial/Junior WPH Benefit. The event is a no-entry fee event, with all players being asked to make a donation to Junior WPH to participate in the event. Small ball and Big Ball divisions will be offered for all ages, starting with 9-and-under and up to 70-and-over. All of the action will be covered live on Watch ESPN on Saturday and Sunday, November 7th-8th, with special bonus coverage on race4eight.com on Friday, November 6th.
“This event is very special and very important to us,” revealed WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “This is a home game for us, as we will be hosting the best players on the R48 tour and the top indoor Big Ball stars at our home club. Our handball community is thrilled to be hosting the Race 4 Eight for the fourth time in five seasons.”
Luis Moreno, Sean Lenning, Emmett Peixoto, Mando Ortiz, Daniel Cordova, Stephen Cooney, Luis Cordova, and Marcos Chavez accepted their Elite 8 invites to Tucson and will aim to earn ranking points on their respective marches towards Portland and the WPH Player’s Championship in May of 2016. The R48 stars will have to contend with a very strong contingent of Big Ball cross over stars, college handball stars, and a top Irish star. Cross over stars Samzon Hernandez, Shorty Ruiz, Sal Duenas, and Timbo Gonzalez could also do serious damage in the draw, as their big ball games have proven to create havoc against traditional small ballers. R48 qualifier staples Vic Perez, Anthony Selestow, Adam Bernhard and others will also bolster a very strong qualifier field. Killian Carroll is the qualifier wildcard, as the Irish star will be making his second consecutive R48 start following a fifth-place finish at the 2015 Simple Green U.S. Open. Carroll owns an undefeated lifetime record against Luis Moreno, Emmett Peixoto, and Mando Ortiz, and will be a threat to not only qualify, but to win the event.
The Tucson Junior WPH Benefit and WPH R48 Pro #2 Powered by ESPN features not only the best pros in the game, but also exciting junior clinics and competitions throughout the weekend. The Tucson R48 Memorial will feature the second edition of the Battle of the Border, with Team WPH Juarez challenging Tucson’s best junior players. Junior players from Arizona, Mexico, California and other handball hotbeds will also compete in junior Small Ball and Big Ball singles and doubles divisions.
“We have an incredibly strong junior handball community in Tucson and we are proud to always provide opportunities for the youngsters to be around and learn from the pros,” revealed Vincent. “We will present target hitting competitions, special junior competitions, and junior clinics for youngsters to have the opportunity to learn from the world’s best.”
For details contact the WPH @ info@wphlivetv
Enter on line HERE> (http://www.r2sports.com/tourney.asp?TID=14227)
Paper Entry HERE> (PDF)
R48Pro Rankings HERE>
WatchESPN> (Having troubles? WPH All Access Pass members can watch the feed for FREE. Contact us: info@wphlive.tv)
The World Players of Handball is a non-profit foundation aiming to grow the game of handball through innovation and inspiring the next generation of players through junior clinics with certified WPH coaches, junior tournaments and the Race 4 Eight tour. Donations are tax-deductible donation and support the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line at here or send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718. You can also contact WPH Development Director David Fink at fink@race4eight.com.
To watch all of the action live, go to the Watch ESPN APP (here). Make sure you have an account with your cable company so you don’t miss a point! To follow all of the news from the world of handball and the 2015 Tucson R48 Memorial/Junior WPH Benefit, go to wphlive.tv. To follow the draws and results from the 2015 Tucson R48 Memorial/Junior WPH Benefit, click here
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer