The Bolivian Squash Federation under the brilliant guidance of President Alba Gamarra made Pan American history this week hosting the 1st Pan American Squash57 Championships and 1st Regional Squash 57 Championship in the world, showcasing athletes from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Peru & Venezuela. Bolivia made a huge global statement this week, Squash57 is growing in Pan America!
Massive thanks to “Tiger” Gonzalo Amaya, Championship’s Technical Director who worked tirelessly for weeks to successfully schedule the 21 events and for ensuring all matches were on time, even while playing in four finals on Sunday. Sincere gratitude to Antonio Fernández FEBOSQUASH head referee and to referee Edwin Maldonado, Vice President of the Squash Brazil who gave the oath of the referees.
Special thanks to major sponsor AXS (Carol Vera and Jorge Rodriquez) and the Avanti Hotel & Resort and honourable gratitude to the Bolivian Olympic Committee (Dr. Marco Arze, President) and the Municipal Government of Cochabamba for their endless support of squash.
“Thank you to the FPS and WSF! Congratulations to the Bolivian Squash Federation for an excellent championship. Bolivia is a country that excels in racquet sports, and Squash57 has showcased strong leadership and talented athletes. This has been reflected in the great challenge led by Alba Gamarra, President of FEBOSQUASH. Congratulations for all the passion, dedication, and presentation of Squash57 in Bolivia, in South America, and now throughout Pan American Squash” declared Dr. Marco Arze Mendoza, President of the Bolivian Olympic Committee.
“In 2021 I was so inspired by Lolly Gillen, Secretary General of the Pan American Squash Federation (FPS) and member of the WSF Squash57 Commission, presentation on Squash57 during the FPS AGM that I immediately became obsessed promoting Squash57 in South America. Then came Covid but I took this time to work with Lolly to learn more about the game and to win the right to host the world’s first regional Squash57 Championship, the 1st Pan American Squash57 Championships Bolivia2024” said Alba Gamarra, President of the South American Squash Confederation and Squash Bolivia.
Championship week started with a 2-day WSO Squash57 Officiating course to a class of 18 individuals led by Gillen and then the games began. The Championships also included the Nations Cup for most medals in the Open events, won by Bolivia, followed by Brazil and Ecuador and the Friendship Cup for most medals won in Age Category events, won by Bolivia, followed by Brazil and Canada. I am truly proud to be spearheading Squash57 in South American and to be a part of the WSF’s strategic plan to promote Squash57 in its goal to increase participation, inclusivity and diversity around the world. This was clearly demonstrated not only by the athletes from 8 different countries but by the participation of athletes from 3 different racquets sports; squash, racquetball and Raqueta-frontón, and by the inclusion of athletes from age 13 to 70+ years of age. Squash57 marks a new era of inclusion for our sport and I am truly thrilled to have experienced the joy and excitement from all the athletes who wholeheartedly embraced Squash57 and who made this championship such a resounding success. I am totally confident that Squash57 will open doors for more players to engage in Squash, Squash57 and Wheelchair Squash57 and proudly confirm that “Squash57 is easy to start and hard to stop.” continued Gamarra.
“It was an honor to participate in this first Pan American Squash 57 championship in Bolivia. I’ve been playing squash since I was 5 y.o. and now I met Squash 57 and I’m training it a lot and learning it better. To have participated and even more so to have been the first champion on this event was an honor to me. From now on, I think that many people will start practicing Squash 57, because I already have many students with me that want to know about this element of our sport. I will train harder to improve my game and help the development of Squash 57 in my country and have more players. You can count on me being back next year to defend my title in Sucre.” claimed the excited 40-year-old champion Vinicius Costa.
“The Panamerican Squash 57 Cochabamba 2024 was Amazing. It was a great opportunity to improve a sport that is just beginning in Brazil. The venue had 5 courts, the organization was perfect and the athletes were all very kind.” echoed 57-year-old Brazilian Vinicius Sávio “ Many people in Brazil have already called me to know more about Squash 57 and the future events. I hope to be part of this event next year with many brazilians on our team.”
Congratulations to the 2024 Champions
“Bolivia, you have opened up a world of opportunity to your country and through Squash57 you have become inspiring leaders in promoting good health, diversity and inclusivity in our sport in Pan American. On behalf of the World Squash Federation and the Federación Panamericana de Squash, we sincerely thank and congratulate you!” stated Lolly Gillen, WSF Squash57 Commission Member & FPS Secretary General.
Men’s Open Champion-COSTA VINICIUS (Brazil)
Silver-Gabriel Torrez (Bol)
Bronze-Marcelo Romero (Ecuador)
Men’s 40+ Champion-FRANK FORTES (Bolivia)
Silver: Gonzalo Amaya (Bol)
Bronze-Julian Ca
Men’s 50+ Champion-GONZALO AMAYA (Bolivia)
Silver-Savio Vinicius (Brazil)
Bronze- Rogelio Medina (Chile)
Women’s Open Champion: ANDREA FUERTES (Bolivia)
Silver: Rebecca Amaya (Bol)
Bronze- Rebecca Valverde (Bol)
Women’s 40+ Champion-VIVANA CABALLERO (Bolivia)
Women’s 50+ Champion- NILDA REVOLLO (Bolivia)
Silver- Alba Gamarra (Bol)
Bronze- Lolly Gillen (Canada)
Women’s 60+ Champion LOLLY GILLEN (Canada)
Silver- Nilda Revollo (Bol)
Women’s Master Champion- NILDA REVOLLO (Bolivia)
Silver- Viviana Caballero (Bol)
Bronze- Alba Gamarra (Bol)
Men’s Open Doubles Champions SANTIAGO ESCOBAR & GABRIEL TORREZ (Bolivia)
Silver-Costa Vinicius & Savio Vinicius (Brazil)
Bronze- Joseph Cruz & Mike Cruz (Bol)
Open Mixed Doubles Champions: ALVIN RIOS & ANDREA FUETES (Bol)
Silver: Matias Arnez & Rebecca Amaya (Bol)
Bronze: Jheffrey Oxachoque & Nicole Rafael (Bol)
Men’s 40+ Doubles Champions: COSTA VINICIUS & SAVIO VINICIUS (Brazil)
Silver: Tito Escobar (Bol) & Marcelo Romero (Ecu)
Bronze: Gonzalo Amaya (Boliva) & Antonio Fernandez (Arg)
Men’s 50+ Doubles Champions: GONZALO AMAYA (Bol) & ANTONIO FERNANDEZ (Arg)
Silver: Mirko Alvarez & Gunnar Vargas (Bol)
Women’s 40+ Doubles Champions: NILDA REVOLLO & ViIVIAN CABALLERO (Bol)
77-76 in points over Alba Gamarra (Bol0 & Lolly Gillen (Can)
Girl’s Open Champion-ANDREA FUERTES (Bolivia)
Silver-Rebecca Valverde (Bol)
Bronze-Marcela Flores (Bol)
Boy’s Open Champion-ALVIN RIOS (Bolivia)
Silver: Santiago Escobar (Bol)
Bronze: Elias Mendoza (Bol)
Girl’s Doubles Champion ANDREA BLACUTT & MARCELA FUERTES (Bolivia)
Silver: Michelle Arnez & Rebecca Valverde (Bol)
Boy’s Doubles Champion RAFAEL ISSA & ELIAS MENDOZA (Bolivia)
Silver-Alejandro Pinedo & Alejandro Mendoza (Bol)
Junior Mixed Doubles Champions ALVIN RIOS & ANDREA FUERTES (Bolivia)
Silver-Gregory Huaranca & Jhuit Montano (Bol)
Junior Doubles Champions RAFAEL ISSA & ELIAS MENDOZA (Bolivia)
Silver-Adriana Blacutt & Marcela Valverde (Bol)
Bronze- Michelle Arnez & Rebecca Valverde (Bol)
FAIRPLAY AWARD
Female- Michelle Arnez Rojas (Bolivia)
Male- Danilo Cortes (Colombia)
MEDAL STANDING
“PAN AMERICAN CUP”(Open Events only)
1st BOLIVIA
2nd BRAZIL
3rd ECUADOR
“FRIENDSHIP CUP” (Age Category Events only)
1st BOLIVIA
2nd BRAZIL
3rd CANADA
SEE EVERYONE NEXT YEAR AT THE 2nd PAN AMERICAN SQUASH57 CHAMPIONHIPS
IN SUCRE, BOLIVIA
MAY 15th-18th, 2025