WPH Press, Juarez, MEX, 3/20/22
The San Angel Athletic Club played host to the VII Juarez Handball Tournament, Juarez’s 4-Wall handball showcase. The Cordova brothers headlined the Juarez field on their home courts. Joining the Flying Cordovas in the open draw were Abraham Montijo, Leo Canales, Jr., Juan Canales, and many more of the game’s best.
Lucho defeated his longtime Southwest rival in the upper bracket semifinal, while Danos defeated Leo Canales, Jr. in two games in the bottom bracket semifinal.
“The VII Juarez Handball Tournament was a weekend full of great handball and hospitality that concluded with a familiar matchup between the Córdova brothers on finals day,” stated Juarez Handball Tournament director and proud father Luis Cordova, Sr. “The marquis matchup of the tournament was just as entertaining as anticipated for the packed gallery of onlookers, with numerous electrifying kills and jaw dropping gets from both brothers. The beginning of the match saw repeated side outs, as both players struggled to score early against each other’s rock solid defense, until Daniel started finding the bottom board and opened up a 12-6 lead. Luis wouldn’t go away quietly in game one though and fought back to 13-14 with some of the best rallies of the tournament, but Daniel finally closed out the opening game 15-13. After throwing everything he had into his comeback effort only to be denied in the final moments of game one, Luis appeared slightly deflated in game two, while Daniel rode a fresh wave of momentum to cruise to a 15-2 second game win and the title.
Semifinals
Lucho def Montijo 21-11, 21-14
Danos def Canales, Jr. 21-13, 21-15
Final: Danos def Lucho 15-13, 15-2
VII Juarez Handball Tournament Junior Clinic
Several of the pro players hosted a junior clinic at the 2022 JHT, with 16 kids sharing the court and learning from the pros in a 30-minute clinic. “We focused on side arm swings off the bounce and side arm swings with the ball coming off the front wall, side wall, and back wall,” stated 2022 JHT coach and Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director Abraham Montijo. “Great bunch of kids. [JR WPH Juarez Coach] Alejandro Garcia, Jr. was amazing with the group. Alex pretty much had the kids playing from morning until about 10 pm.”
Thank you to Abraham, Alex, and the rest of the pros, coaches and players who inspired the youngsters at the 2022 JHT!
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer