Paola Longoria
Encyclopedia
Paola Michelle Longoria López (born July 20, 1989) is a Mexican
racquetball
player. She is the first Mexican woman to attain the #1 ranking on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
(WPRO) tour, doing so at the end of the 2008-09 season and at the end of 2009-2010 season as well. Longoria's style is characterized by a semi-western grip of the racquet, which is unusual for racquetball; Longoria is the only pro player using this grip style.
in 2011 when she defeated Rhonda Rajsich
in the final, and 2008 when she beat Cheryl Gudinas in the final, becoming the first Mexican - woman or man - to win that event or even reach the US Open final. Her first WPRO tournament win was in 2007.
Longoria finished as the #1 WPRO player at the end of the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
in women's doubles winning the title along with Samantha Salas
. They beat American
couple Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso
in the final to become the first Mexican women to win a World Championship in singles or doubles.
Longoria won the Pan American Championships in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Longoria won the gold medal at the 2009 World Games
, defeating the American Rhonda Rajsich
in the final.
Also, Longoria won eight consecutive International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships from 2001 to 2008, winning twice in each age category from 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, and 18 and under.
Longoria will represent Mexico at the 2011 Pan American Games
playing both singles and doubles, which she'll play with Samantha Salas
. This will be Longoria's first Pan Am Games appearance.
presented Longoria with the award.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
racquetball
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
player. She is the first Mexican woman to attain the #1 ranking on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization is the latest name for the women's professional racquetball tour. It features the world's best players and several events each season - running from September to May - that are mostly played in the USA....
(WPRO) tour, doing so at the end of the 2008-09 season and at the end of 2009-2010 season as well. Longoria's style is characterized by a semi-western grip of the racquet, which is unusual for racquetball; Longoria is the only pro player using this grip style.
Professional career
Longoria has won 16 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events on the WPRO, including two US Open Racquetball ChampionshipsUS Open Racquetball Championships
The US Open racquetball championship is widely acknowledged as the premier professional racquetball event. It is a Grand Slam event with men and women competing from the International Racquetball Tour and Women's Professional Racquetball Organization, respectively. It also includes divisions for...
in 2011 when she defeated Rhonda Rajsich
Rhonda Rajsich
Rhonda Rajsich is an American racquetball player. She is the reigning two time racquetball World Champion and has won four US Open championships - more than any other woman...
in the final, and 2008 when she beat Cheryl Gudinas in the final, becoming the first Mexican - woman or man - to win that event or even reach the US Open final. Her first WPRO tournament win was in 2007.
Longoria finished as the #1 WPRO player at the end of the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
International career
Longoria is current World ChampionRacquetball World Championships
The World Racquetball Championships, organized by the International Racquetball Federation , were first held in 1981. The second World Championships were in 1984, and have been held every two years since.The World Championships have two parts...
in women's doubles winning the title along with Samantha Salas
Samantha Salas
Samantha Salas Solís born December 15, 1986 is a Mexican racquetball player. She was the second Mexican woman to finish in the top 10 rankings on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization tour, doing so at the end of the 2006-07 season...
. They beat American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
couple Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso
Jackie Paraiso
Jackie Paraiso is an American racquetball player. Paraiso was the #1 player on the women's pro racquetball tour at the end of the 1991-92, 1998–99, and 1999-2000 seasons...
in the final to become the first Mexican women to win a World Championship in singles or doubles.
Longoria won the Pan American Championships in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Longoria won the gold medal at the 2009 World Games
Racquetball at the World Games
Racquetball was part of the 1985 World Games in London and 1993 World Games in Den Haag. Also, racquetball was part of the first World Games in 1981 at Santa Clara...
, defeating the American Rhonda Rajsich
Rhonda Rajsich
Rhonda Rajsich is an American racquetball player. She is the reigning two time racquetball World Champion and has won four US Open championships - more than any other woman...
in the final.
Also, Longoria won eight consecutive International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships from 2001 to 2008, winning twice in each age category from 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, and 18 and under.
Longoria will represent Mexico at the 2011 Pan American Games
2011 Pan American Games
The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event that was held from October 14–30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Tapalpa...
playing both singles and doubles, which she'll play with Samantha Salas
Samantha Salas
Samantha Salas Solís born December 15, 1986 is a Mexican racquetball player. She was the second Mexican woman to finish in the top 10 rankings on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization tour, doing so at the end of the 2006-07 season...
. This will be Longoria's first Pan Am Games appearance.
Other honors
Longoria received the 2010 National Sports Award from the Mexican government. Mexican President Felipe CalderónFelipe Calderón
Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa is the current President of Mexico. He assumed office on December 1, 2006, and was elected for a single six-year term through 2012...
presented Longoria with the award.