LIHUE — Kapaa Middle School sixth-grade student Elijah Machado will represent the USA on the U.S. Junior Team Delegation at the 36th International Racquetball Federation World Junior Championships in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic.
“Elijah got the late call-up in October to be a member of the USA Junior Racquetball Team,” said his grandfather, Philip Eliana, who will accompany Machado. “Team USA consists of 33 members ranging in age from 20 years to 9 years old. Elijah is the only one from Hawaii, and ranked No. 2 player in his 10 age division, playing in three events — Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles.”
Eliana, a National Champion, is designated as one of five parent/private coaches to assist the U.S. Junior Team Coaching Staff.
The championships will take place Dec. 5-13.
According to USA Racquetball, there are eight U.S. Junior Team Staff, and 67 parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and support staff “eager to be there for the team.”
“That’s 108 in the delegation — a record!” announced USA Racquetball. “The 33 athletes come from eight states, including 12 from California, eight from Missouri, five from Texas, three from Illinois, two from Tennessee, and one each from Florida, Nebraska and Hawaii.”
Source: The Garden Island