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Canadian Beach Volleyball Players Aim for Olympic Medals in Los Angeles
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    Canadian Beach Volleyball Players Aim for Olympic Medals in Los Angeles

    Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson want to take one step up the podium at the next Olympics.

    Speaking on The Fan Pregame on Sportsnet 590 The Fan on Wednesday, the Canadian beach volleyball stars confirmed they’ll try to go from silver to gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

    “We’ll be definitely making a push to L.A. 2028,” Humana-Paredes said.

    The Toronto team won four elimination matches in a row after a 1-2 start at Paris 2024 to advance to the gold-medal game. In the final, the Canadians fought back from a first-set loss before falling 2-1 to the world’s No. 1 team from Brazil.

    It also marked the best-ever finish for a Canadian volleyball team. Canada had won just one volleyball medal in Olympic history before — bronze by John Child and Mark Heese in men’s beach in 1996. Humana-Paredes’ dad, Hernan, coached that team.

    The 31-year-old Humana-Paredes and 32-year-old Wilkerson, former indoor volleyball teammates at York University, teamed up in 2022 after both were eliminated in the 2021 Olympic quarterfinals with different teammates.

    Their chemistry was evident as they became the first team in Olympic history to earn a medal after being relegated to a lucky-loser match (teams to advance from pool play, but not earning a direct entry into the round of 16 as top-two finishers in their group).

    The season is not over, however. The Chicago Open looms next weekend.

    “We actually don’t have that much time off. We’re getting back into training next week and have a tournament next weekend,” Humana-Paredes said. “Volleyball doesn’t end when the Olympics are over. We still have our regular season. If you love beach volleyball as much as you did during the Olympics, stay tuned because there is lots of volleyball coming up.”

    The Beach Pro Tour Finals are in December in Qatar.

    More from Sportsnet
    Canada’s Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson take beach silver after loss to Brazil


    Looking ahead to Los Angeles: 10 Canadian athletes to watch at 2028 Olympics

    As the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles draw closer, Canadian beach volleyball players are gearing up to compete for Olympic medals on the sandy courts of California. With a strong history of success in the sport, Canada is poised to make a significant impact on the international stage.

    One of the most prominent Canadian beach volleyball players to watch is Sarah Pavan. Pavan, who hails from Kitchener, Ontario, has been a dominant force in the sport for years. Alongside her partner, Melissa Humana-Paredes, Pavan has achieved numerous victories on the FIVB World Tour and has consistently ranked among the top teams in the world. With their chemistry and skill on the court, Pavan and Humana-Paredes are strong contenders for an Olympic medal in Los Angeles.

    Another Canadian duo to keep an eye on is Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson. Bansley, a seasoned veteran of the sport, has competed in multiple Olympic Games and has a wealth of experience under her belt. Teaming up with the dynamic Wilkerson, the pair has shown great promise on the international circuit and has the potential to make a splash at the Olympics.

    In addition to these established teams, Canada also boasts a number of up-and-coming beach volleyball players who are making waves in the sport. Players like Taylor Pischke, Megan Nagy, and Sam Pedlow are all rising stars in Canadian beach volleyball and have the talent and drive to compete at the highest level.

    With a strong contingent of talented athletes, Canada is well-positioned to make a mark in beach volleyball at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. As these players continue to train and prepare for the Games, fans can expect to see some thrilling matches and impressive performances on the sand. Whether it’s Pavan and Humana-Paredes vying for gold or Bansley and Wilkerson making a run for the podium, Canadian beach volleyball players are ready to showcase their skills and compete for Olympic glory.