Fresh off U-16 world championship racquetball victory, Lethbridge teen has sights on senior nationals

Coby Iwaasa has set his sights on the Canadian Senior Nationals

Coby Iwaasa is a world champion.

In November, the Lethbridge native beat his Costa Rican opponent to win the world junior boys racquetball title in Los Angeles, California.

“I'm still waiting for it to sink in,” says Iwaasa.  “I'll have these random flashbacks of the game, I'll just doze off sometimes and I'll be like ‘Oh! I just won that point’ and then all of a sudden, ‘I just won junior worlds!’”

“It just kinda pops into my mind and I can't get it out!”

Iwaasa is the second Canadian to win the 16 & under title but the first to win it in the past 12 years.

Iwaasa also earned a silver medal at the championships, taking second place in the doubles alongside partner Sami Harb from Ontario.

Coby's recent success reflects his passion for the game.

"When I hit the ball there's this feeling,” explains Iwaasa.  “I played basketball, I played volleyball and I just didn't get that same feeling as when I hit this ball and it goes exactly where I want it to go.”

“There are so many competitors out there. I’ve been to the U.S. Open, I’ve been to junior worlds and senior nationals and I just got a chance to see so many great players,” says Iwaasa.  “Mike Green is the number one player in Canada this year and I see him and he helped train me this summer and I really want to beat him so I guess he's part of my motivation to play.”

“My goal is to win senior nationals,” says Iwaasa.  “They will be held in May so I have quite a bit of time to train for it.  Mike Green will be there and I hope I get the opportunity to challenge him and accomplish my goal!”

Coby Iwaasa is the CTV Athlete of the Week sponsored by Big Chief Beef Jerky.