Players from nine of the seventeen nations won medals while competing at the 23rd International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships last week in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Mexicans were the clear leaders as they had four players win two gold medals: Rodrigo Montoya in Boys U14, Rodrigo Garay in Boys U16, Diana Aguilar in Girls U14 and Alexandra Herrera in Girls U16.
Bolivians went home with two gold, five silver and one bronze for eight total medals. USA had nine total medals - one more than Bolivia but fewer gold and silver (one and two, respectively) and more bronze (seven). Bolivian Maria Jose Vargas was a gold medalist in Girls U18 doubles and silver in U18 singles, while Nick Montalbano of the USA won gold in U18 doubles and bronze in U18 singles.
Canada was fourth with 7 medals and three Canadians were double medalists as Frédérique Lambert won gold and bronze in Girls U18, Michelle Morissette silver and bronze in Girls U14 and Coby Iwaasa duplicated his results from last year taking home two bronze medals in Boys U14.
Guatemala took another step forward by winning three medals - up from two last year - and they were led by Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala - a double bronze medalist in Girls U16. The Dominican Republic took silver in Boys U16 doubles, with Irish and Venezuelan players coming home with a bronze medal each.
Medal Summary by Country
Mexico 8 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze
Bolivia 2, 5, 1
USA 1, 2, 7
Canada 1, 1, 5
Guatemala 0, 0, 3
Costa Rica 0, 1, 1
Dominican Republic 0, 1, 0
Ireland 0, 0, 1
Venezuela 0, 0, 1
