Jamaica National Racquetball Team
World Championships 2002 - Puerto Rico
Members of the Jamaica National team shocked many when they competed at the 2002 World Racquetball Championship Games in Puerto Rico. The Jamaican squad exceeded all expectations by moving themselves into the best ranking of their history.
"They did extremely well this year," said Jeff Hanno, Head Coach of the team. "We had a long term goal to one day be a top fifteen team." Hanno added that once the men's team landed the major upset win over Korea, it became apparent that the team may get its highest ranking ever. Hanno is not only the coach of the team but he is also the winner of the Coaches Division at the 1996 games. John F. Edwards would secure an additional win over the Philippines while teammate Don Bryan would battle against Guatemala in the Gold medal round of their singles division. Bryan would eventually earn the silver medal in the finals of that division.
On the women's team, team member Jackie Gopie would meet internationally ranked Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) in the final round of their division. Gopie would walk away with the silver medal in singles after earning the gold in doubles with partner Lurine Barnes.
"We earned four out of eight possible medals," said Hanno. "That in itself is an incredible accomplishment at this elite level." Both the men's and women's team advanced in their individual rankings which are then combined for the coveted Combined Overall ranking in which the Jamaican team is now number 14.
Edwards added that helped the team to have a former professional athlete sitting in the coaches chair at each of the matches. "This better prepares us for the Olympics," Edwards concluded.
The Jamaicans at one point were ranked at 27 with a long term goal of making it into the top fifteen. "Now that we've broken into the top fifteen," said Edwards. "Our goal is to now go after a top ten spot." Edwards added that people are no longer taking the Jamaicans for granted and more and more countries are seeing this team as a real threat. "We are particularly excited," said Edwards, "since some of the other countries in the top fifteen are in our geographical zone." Other countries in the 2002 top fifteen ratings include Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Ecuador and Costa Rica. Edwards concluded, "becoming a top ten team in the world is a real possibility for us."
The World Championships are held every two years in a different country. The 2004 games are scheduled to be held in Korea.