Melissa Humana-Paredes rarely has the opportunity to compete in beach volleyball on Canadian soil. However, when she does, Montréal proves to be a favorable location for her success. She, along with her partner Brandie Wilkerson, are gearing up for the Montréal Elite16 tournament at Parc Jean-Drapeau from August 19-23, aiming to build upon their victory from last year.
Their triumph in the 2025 event, where they clinched their first title together by defeating Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets, has set the stage for their return to Montréal. Humana-Paredes expressed her excitement at the chance to compete in front of Canadian fans, particularly in Montréal, where the support from the crowd is exceptional.
Looking ahead, the duo is not only focused on the upcoming Montréal event but also has their sights set on the next Olympic Games in LA 2028. Despite the distance, the pair is already planning for the rigorous qualification process that precedes the Games.
The support for women’s sports in Canada is on the rise, and Humana-Paredes finds it encouraging as she believes this momentum will continue to grow. She emphasized the importance of sustaining this momentum beyond her own career and into the future of female athletes.
As they prepare for the future, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson have returned to their roots, reuniting with their former coaching staff in Los Angeles. This familiar environment has contributed to their recent success, including a gold medal at the Elite16 event in Ostrava.
The journey towards the 2028 Olympics is a step-by-step process for the pair, focusing on incremental progress rather than getting overwhelmed by the ultimate goal. Humana-Paredes emphasized the importance of fine-tuning their skills and maintaining a growth mindset as they head towards the pinnacle of their sport.
The prospect of competing in LA holds special significance for Humana-Paredes, who considers the city a second home due to her extensive training there. She highlighted the strong beach volleyball culture in places like Hermosa Beach, where the sport is ingrained in the community’s lifestyle.
As they look forward to the upcoming challenges, Humana-Paredes is cherishing the experience of playing in front of her fellow Canadians in Montréal. While the road to LA is long, each stop along the way holds its own significance, especially for an athlete who values the support of her home country.