Melissa Humana-Paredes rarely has the opportunity to compete in beach volleyball on home turf, but when she does, Montréal proves to be an advantageous location for her endeavors. Returning to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the Montréal Elite16 event from August 19-23, Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson aim to build on their previous year’s success by defending their title.
Last year, the Canadian duo secured victory by defeating Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets, 21-15, 22-20, marking their inaugural title together. Humana-Paredes expresses gratitude for the chance to compete in front of a home crowd, emphasizing the enthusiastic support from Montréal sports fans.
Not only does she find it rewarding to witness the increasing backing for women’s sports across Canada, but Humana-Paredes is also eager to extend this positive momentum beyond her own athletic career. Despite their focus on the upcoming Montréal event, the pair is already looking ahead to their next Olympic campaign, with eyes set on LA 2028.
Recognizing the need to balance anticipation with present performance, Humana-Paredes emphasizes the importance of taking the Olympic cycle one step at a time. Reuniting with their former coaching staff in Los Angeles, the duo is working diligently towards their Olympic aspirations, as demonstrated by their recent successes at the Saquarema Elite and Ostrava Elite16 events.
As they continue their journey towards the 2028 Olympics, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson remain committed to refining their skills and enhancing their performance. With the prospect of competing in a familiar setting in Los Angeles, Humana-Paredes looks forward to the upcoming challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, all while cherishing the chance to compete in front of their fellow Canadians in Montréal.