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WPH Press, Portland, OR, 10/16/22
The Race 4 Eight’s first champion of the 2022/23 R48 XI season would be crowned on Sunday, in addition to the 5th place final.
R48 Portland Classic Final: Lucho vs. Martin
2022 R48 Player’s Champion Martin Mulkerrins defeated Lucho Cordova in two games in the semifinals of the 2022 R48 Player’s Championship in what has become one of the most exciting rivalries in the sport.
“I’m just focused on myself and expecting a tough battle,” stated Mulkerrins prior to the final. “Lucho is a great player. Taking this first pro stop is my goal. I am where I want to be.”
Lucho started quickly in the final, taking a 6-2 lead with strong serves to the right and great court coverage. Mulkerrins caught Lucho at seven. The 7-7 rally proved to be the turning point, as the pair traded 25 shots each, ending with a Martin pass down the right. “The match changed right there,” stated the WPH’s play-by-play announcer Dave Vincent. “Luis seemed flat after that rally and Martin took over.”
Martin outscored Lucho 28-7 from that point, opening up his game with Irish whip kills, deep court left-handed kills, and back wall kills.
“I definitely felt after Loren’s game (yesterday) that I was much more under control,” stated Mulkerrins. “At this level you do need a little bit of the rub of the green. A lot of my kills seemed to stay down today and Luis’s didn’t. Well look, this is my third pro stop that I’ve ever won so they’re all special. I want to give this season my all and have no regrets. I got the result I wanted today.”
Final: Martin def Lucho 15-7, 15-5
R48 Portland Classic 5th Place Final: Langmack vs. Collado
The Olympic Club’s Loren Collado considers Max Langmack his greatest rival. “I have had a good few matches split between us,” stated Collado. “He got the best of me last time though.”
Collado started strong in the fifth place final, taking leads of 5-2 and 7-5. Langmack took control from there, surging to a 15-8 halftime lead with two-wall power serves and deep court kills. Collado was unable to pressure Langmack in the second half, as Langmack cruised to his second fifth place finish and Collado earned his best career R48 finish with sixth.
“I wish I could have as much spring in my step as Max today,” stated Collado. “He was diving for everything and had tons of energy.”
“I wanted to close it out, it’s a battle of will, just as much physical as mental,” stated Langmack. “It becomes a slugfest. It feels great to finish in the top five. My goal is to finish in the top eight so this was a great start.”
Final: Langmack def Collado 25-14
Max Langmack Inspires!
After a full day of playing, interviewing, refereeing, sightseeing, and announcing on Saturday, Max Langmack made time to introduce the game to several youngsters who watched handball for the first time. Max spent nearly an hour rallying with the youngsters, while teaching them the basic fundamentals of the sport. “Max loves handball as much as anyone and loves to spread his passion for the game to anyone who shows interest,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “The sport is very lucky to have Max involved.”
Thank you!
Thank you to tournament director Conor Casey and MAC director Hank Marcus and all of the volunteers and MAC staff for hosting more than 60 players and the WPH!
Watch the 2022 Portland Classic R48LTE replays on Patreon HERE
Follow the draws and results of the Portland Classic R48 IX R48LTE HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer