Landa was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but moved to the US as a teenager. He began playing racquetball at age 12.[1] His best result as a junior player was a 2nd-place finish in Boy's U18 at the 2006 Junior World Championships, losing in the final to David Ortega of Mexico.[2]
2008 to 2012
Landa didn't play on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) more than twice in a season until the 2008–09 season, when he entered five events. In those events, Landa finished in the Round of 16 three times and twice in the Round of 32, which led him to finish ranked 20th that season.[2]
He played five events in the 2009–10 season (four Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32), and seven events in the 2010–11 season (six Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32). Landa was ranked 15th in 2009–10 and 17th in 2010–11.[2]
In 2010, Landa represented Mexico for the first time, and did so twice. He played Men's Doubles with Ruben Estrada at the 2010 Pan American Championships in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They lost in the final to Canadians Mike Green and Tim Landeryou, 15–9, 12–15, 11–9.[3]
That summer Landa played both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles at the 2010 World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. In Men's Singles, he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian Ricardo Monroy, 14–15, 15–9, 11–10, while in Men's Doubles – playing with Miguel Perea – he earned a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to Canadians Green and Landeryou, 15–2, 15–5.
In the IRT 2011–12 season, Landa made his first IRT quarterfinal at the 2012 San Diego Open by getting a forfeit win over Kane Waselenchuk. He lost to Tony Carson in that quarterfinal, 5–11, 11–4, 11–8, 12–10. Overall that season, he played in six events with four Round of 16 finishes and one Round of 32 along with that quarterfinal, which ranked him 15th at end of the season.[2]
2013 to 2016
2013 was a breakthrough year for Landa. In January, he reached his first IRT semi-final at the California Open by defeating Jose Rojas in the Round of 16 and Daniel de la Rosa in the quarterfinals, but he lost to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis, 11–2, 11–8, 7–11, 11–3. Also in early 2013, Landa reached the quarterfinals twice in New York and St Louis, and he finished 15th at the end of the 2012–13 IRT season.[2]
Also in 2013, Landa played four events on the World Racquetball Tour, reaching the finals each time and winning three of them. He beat Alejandro Cardona at the San Diego Open, Polo Gutierrez at the Juarez Open and Gutierrez again at the Chile Open,[4] 5–15, 15–12, 11–9.[5] At the end of the year, Cardona beat Landa, 15–8, 9–15, 11–7, in Chula Vista, California.
Despite a good 2013, Landa played less in the next year. He was only in three events in the 2013–14 IRT season, and didn't make it past the Round of 16 at all. Landa also played three events on the WRT in 2014, and won two of them. Both wins came in Juarez, Mexico. He defeated Javier Moreno in April and then beat Jake Bredenbeck in August, 15–10, 15–10.[6]
Landa reached the semi-finals at the US Open for the first time in 2014, as he beat Jose Rojas in the Round of 16, 3–11, 11–9, 14–12, 6–11, 11–4 and Daniel de la Rosa in the quarterfinals, 11–2, 11–8, 11–6, before losing to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis, 11–4, 11–2, 11–2. That was one of two semi-finals he reached in the 2014–15 IRT season. The other was in San Marcos, Texas, where he defeated Álvaro Beltrán in the Round of 16, 4–11, 11–9, 11–6, 11–7, Chris Crowther in the quarterfinals, 11–7, 11–8, 5–11, 3–11, 14–12, before losing to Rocky Carson, 11–2, 13–11, 11–6. This helped Landa finish 11th in the rankings, which was a career high.[2]
Landa won both of the WRT events he played in 2015. He made an impressive run to win again in Juarez,[7] as he defeated Carlos Keller Vargas in the Round of 32, Javier Moreno in the Round of 16, David Horn in the quarterfinals, Sebastian Franco in the semi-finals, and Bredenbeck in the final, 15–5, 15–4.[8] Then at the end of the year, Landa beat Jaime Martell in the final of the Alamo City Open in San Antonio,[9] beating Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals and David Horn in the semi-finals to reach the final.
In 2016, Landa successfully defended his Alamo City Open title by beating Cardona in the final, 15–6, 15–10.[10] He defeated Andree Parrilla, 15–12, 15–11, in the quarterfinals, and Jaime Martell, 15–11, 15–13, in the semi-finals en route to the final.[11]
Landa played for Mexico for a third time at the 2016 Pan American Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, winning gold in Men's Doubles with Javier Moreno. They defeated the Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador, 15–11, 15–10, in the final.[12]
2017 to 2019
After only playing one IRT event in 2015–16 (a Round of 32 loss to Javier Moreno at the 2015 US Open[13]), Landa stormed back to the tour in 2016–17, as he reached the semi-finals in three of the five events he played. Landa was a semi-finalist in the first event of that season in Overland Park, Kansas, as he beat Jose Rojas in the Round of 16 and Jake Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals before losing to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis, 11–3, 11–4, 11–2. His second semi-final came in Lilburn, Georgia, where Landa beat Rocky Carson, 11–5, 10–12, 11–0, 5–11, 13–11, in the Round of 16, and Jansen Allen, 11–9, 11–7, 11–9, in the quarterfinals before losing to Daniel de la Rosa in the semis, 11–7, 12–10, 1–11, 9–11, 11–6. The third semi-final was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where De La Rosa again got the better of him in the semis, 11–5, 12–10, 11–7. Landa beat Rojas in the Round of 16 and Andree Parrilla in the quarters in Sioux Falls. Overall, Landa finished ranked 10th, which was a career high.[14]
Landa played for Mexico for a fourth time at the 2017 Pan American Championships in San José, Costa Rica, winning gold in both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles with Polo Gutierrez.[15] In Men's Singles, he defeated Canadian Mike Green in the quarterfinals, 15–12, 15–5, Costa Rican Andres Acuña in the semi-finals, 15–14, 15–10, and the USA's Charles Pratt in the final, 15–10, 15–11.[16] In Men's Doubles, Landa and Gutierrez beat Ecuadorans Rios and Ugalde in the quarterfinals, 15–3, 9–15, 11–3, then the Dominican Republic's Ramon De Leon and Luis Perez, 15–3, 15–3, in the semi-finals, and in the final they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the US, 10–15, 15–8, 11–4.[17]
In the 2017 WRT season, Landa played four events, getting to three finals and winning once. In January, Alejandro Cardona beat Landa, 15–10, 15–10, in the final of the WRT 2018 West Coast Championship.[18] Then on back to back weeks in June, Landa defeated Jake Bredenbeck to win the Torneo Internacional Canels in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, by defeating Cardona in the semi-finals and Jake Bredenbeck in the final, 15–6, 14–15, 11–0,[19] and then was a finalist at the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, losing to Rodrigo Montoya in the final, 15–13, 5–15, 11–2, after getting by Cardona in the semi-finals, 12–15, 15–14, 11–7.[20]
Landa tied his best ever finish at the US Open in 2017, as he reached the semi-finals, losing to Rocky Carson, 11–3, 11–4, 7–11, 11–6. He beat Daniel de la Rosa, 11–9, 12–10, 7–11, 6–11, 11–4, in the quarterfinals to get to the semis.[21] Landa also reached the semi-finals in Atlanta, as he beat Álvaro Beltrán in the quarterfinals, but lost to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis.[22]
Then Landa went one better, as he not only reached an IRT final for the first time at the 2018 Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but he won the final by defeating Daniel de la Rosa, 15–6, 7–15, 11–10, in the final.[23] En route to the final, Landa beat Tim Landeryou, 15–5, 3–15, 11–6, in the Round of 16, Rocky Carson in the quarterfinals, 15–14, 11–15, 11–4, and Samuel Murray, 15–11, 15–7, in the semi-finals.[24]
In the next IRT tournament – the 2018 IRT March Madness event in San Antonio, Landa again reached the final, but he lost to Sebastian Franco, 15–9 15–13.[25] But Landa picked up his 2nd IRT title in April 2018, as he won in Cincinnati, defeating Álvaro Beltrán in the final, 11–15, 15–7, 11–8, after beating Rocky Carson in the semi-finals, 8–15, 15–6, 11–5.[26]
Landa was the Mexican national champion in 2019, yet he was not selected to represent Mexico at the 2019 Pan American Games.[27] That omission led him to change allegiances to the USA for future international events.
2020 to retirement - Playing for the USA
Thus, he competed in the 2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where he won the title with Sudsy Monchik, as they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final, 15-13, 4-15, 11-9.[28] That qualified Landa to represent the USA at the 2020 IRF World Championships. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Worlds until 2021.
In the 2021 USA team qualifying event in Des Moines, Iowa, Landa finished second to Rocky Carson, losing in the final, 15-12, 15-13, after defeating Jake Bredenbeck in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-11.[29] Carson chose not to go to the 2021 World Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, so Landa was the USA's #1 singles player with Bredenbeck #2.
That worked out well for Landa, as he won Men's Singles at 2021 World Championships, defeating Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso in the semi-finals, 3-15, 15-8, 11-6, and Costa Rican Andrés Acuña in the final, 15-6, 15-6.[30] Landa became the 8th USA man to win Men's Singles at Worlds, and the 3rd Mexican born man to win (after Alvaro Beltran and Rodrigo Montoya).
Landa was runner up at the 2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships in College Station, Texas to Rocky Carson, losing in the final, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7,[31] but qualifying for Team USA for the 2022 World Championships. He also played doubles with Sudsy Monchik, and they lost in the semi-finals to brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 15-13, 13-11.[32]
Landa was the defending Men's Singles World Champion going into the 2022 World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, but he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso, 15-11, 15-6, 15-12.[33] But he helped the USA reach the semi-finals in the Men's Team event, so Landa did get a bronze medal in that event.[34]
Landa teamed up with Daniel De La Rosa to win Men's Doubles at the 2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where they beat Wayne Antone and Adam Manilla in final, 15-13, 11-5, 11-8, and reached the final by beating Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck, 12-10, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, in the semi-finals.[35], which qualified them for the 2023 Pan American Games. He also played Mixed Doubles with Michelle De La Rosa, and they lost in the semi-finals to Daniel De La Rosa and Hollie Scott, 14-12, 11-3, 11-9.[36]
At the 2023 Pan American Games, Landa and De La Rosa lost in the quarterfinals of Men's Doubles to Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Samuel Murray, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4.[37] But he earned a bronze medal in the Men's Team event,[38] as the USA lost in the semi-finals to Bolivia.
Landa announced that he would retire at the end of 2023, as injuries have hampered his training and he's going to devote more time to his family and other personal interests.[27]
Rocky Carson is an American professional racquetball player. Carson's a former International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion in Men's Singles – a title he's won a record five times. He has been the season ending #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) twice, including in 2017–18. Carson has also played outdoor racquetball, and in 2008, he became the first man to win Men's Singles at the World Outdoor Championship, as well as the indoor IRF World Championship, and US Open.
Jack Huczek is a retired American racquetball player. Huczek was a 3 time International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion in Men's Singles, and he was the #1 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) player at the end of the 2006–2007 season. Huczek announced his retirement on May 24, 2011.
Álvaro Beltrán, is a Mexican professional racquetball player. Beltrán is the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion in Men's Doubles with Daniel De La Rosa, winning the title in 2022 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He was the second man to win both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles at the Racquetball World Championships. His six world titles tie him for 3rd most in IRF history. Beltran has been a top 10 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) for 18 seasons.
Jennifer "Jen" Saunders is a Canadian retired racquetball player from Winnipeg, Manitoba. In her last Canadian Championships in 2019, Saunders won both Women's Singles, for a record extending 11th time, and Women's Doubles, for a 13th time. Her 11 Canadian Women's Singles Championships and 24 combined Canadian Women's Singles and Doubles Championships are Canadian women's records. Saunders was the 2009 Manitoba Female Athlete of the Year as voted by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Saunders announced her retirement from competition in December 2019, as she accepted the position of Administrator of High Performance and Sport Development with Racquetball Canada. In July 2020, Saunders was named as one of the 2020 inductees into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
Kris Odegard is a Canadian retired racquetball player from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Odegard won four Canadian Championships – two in singles and two in doubles. He also won several medals in international competition as part of Team Canada highlighted by gold in Men's Singles at the 2006 Pan American Championships.
Vincent Gagnon is a Canadian retired racquetball player from Montreal. Gagnon won five Canadian Championships: four doubles titles and one singles. He also competed for Canada 19 times, winning multiple medals highlighted by gold at the 2007 Pan American Championships in Men's Doubles with François Viens.
Jose Rojas is a professional racquetball player. Rojas's highest ranking is #3 on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), which he was at the end of the 2011–12 season. At the end of the 2014–15 season, Rojas was #6, which was his sixth time in the IRT top 10 at season's end. Rojas has represented the USA several times in international competition, and been a gold medalist three times.
María José Vargas is a Bolivian-born Argentine racquetball player. She is the current Pan American Champion in Women's Doubles, as well as part of the Women's Team Pan Am Champions and the current South American Racquetball Champion in Women's Singles and Doubles. Vargas has five wins on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), and has finished in the top 10 seven times - five of those were within the top three with her career best coming in 2014-15, when she finished #2.
Tim Landeryou is a Canadian retired racquetball player. He was a member of the Canadian National Team from 2010 to 2020, winning multiple medals in international competitions.
Daniel de la Rosa is a Mexican racquetball and pickleball player. De La Rosa is the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion in Men's doubles, winning the title in 2022 in his home city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He's won 12 times on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), including the 2021 US Open. De La Rosa is the first Mexican player to win the US Open, and he was the second Mexican player to win an IRT Tier 1 event.
Jansen Allen is an American racquetball player. Allen won gold at the 2015 Pan American Games in Men's Doubles with Jose Rojas. He was ranked in the top 10 on the International Racquetball Tour for five straight seasons, from 2013–14 to 2017–18. Allen also a 5 Time Junior National Champion, the 2012 Division 1 Collegiate racquetball champion in singles and doubles, and a 5 Time Texas State Champion.
Sebastian Franco is a Colombian racquetball player. Franco is a former International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion in Men's Doubles, winning the title in 2014 with Alejandro Herrera. In 2018, Franco became the first South American to win a tournament on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), when he won the March Madness event in San Antonio. He finished the IRT's Top 10 four straight seasons – from 2015–16 to 2018–19 – with a career high ranking of 6th in 2017–18.
Samuel Murray is a Canadian racquetball player. He is the current Canadian Champion in Men's Singles, winning the title for a fifth time in 2023. Murray was the 2022 Pan American Champion in Men's Doubles ,. He became the 2nd Canadian to win a Tier 1 or Grand Slam event on the International Racquetball Tour in January 2021, when he won the Suivant Consulting Pro-Am in Lilburn, Georgia. His career high IRT ranking is #3 at the end of the 2021.
Coby Iwaasa is a Canadian racquetball player. He is the current Canadian Champion in Men's Doubles, winning the title with Kurtis Cullen in 2023. Iwaasa won the 2022 Pan American Championships in Men's Doubles with Samuel Murray, and was a bronze medallist at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
Conrrado Moscoso is a Bolivian racquetball player. He is the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Men's Singles World Champion, which he won at the 2022 Racquetball World Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Moscoso is the first Bolivian and first South American man to win an IRF World Championship in singles. Moscoso is also the current two time Pan American Champion in Men's Singles as well as the Pan American Champion in Mixed Doubles. Moscoso has won multiple medals for Bolivia, including several gold medals, including gold in the Men's Team event at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. That was the first gold medal won by Bolivia in any sport at the Pan American Games. Moscoso has also won multiple times on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and cracked the IRT top 10 in 2019–20.
Pedro Castro is a Canadian retired racquetball player. He won Men's Doubles at the 2016 Canadian Racquetball Championships with Samuel Murray, and has been on the Canadian National Team from 2014 to 2020. In 2020, Castro announced he's retiring from racquetball to focus on baseball with the hopes of representing Chile at the 2023 Pan American Games.
Carlos Keller is a Bolivian racquetball player. Keller was on the Bolivian Men's Team that won back to back gold medals at the Pan American Games in 2019 and 2023. Their first gold medal at the 2019 games in Lima, Peru was Bolivia's first racquetball gold medal at the Pan Am Games, and they successfully defended that gold at the 2023 Games in Santiago, Chile. He was also part of the Bolivian men's team that won gold at the 2022 Pan American Racquetball Championships, which was Keller's third gold medal at Pan Am Championships to go with his two Men's Singles titles, won in 2018 and 2019.
Mario Mercado is a Bolivian-born Colombian racquetball player. He has won several medals for Colombia, highlighted by a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in the men's team event. He has also won on the International Racquetball Tour.
Rodrigo Montoya is a Mexican racquetball player. He is the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion in both the Men's Team competition and Mixed Doubles, winning those titles at the 2022 Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. That was his 4th IRF World Championship, as he won the 2018 Men's Singles in Costa Rica and the 2021 Men's Doubles with Javier Mar in Guatemala City, so Montoya is the first player to win singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Worlds. He is also the current Pan American Games champion in both Men's Singles and Doubles with Mar, winning those events at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima. Montoya is the current Pan American Champion in Men's Doubles, winning that title with Eduardo Portillo at the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City.
Andree Parrilla is a Mexican racquetball player. He has won twice on the International Racquetball Tour, and represented Mexico at international competitions.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
