The current #2 ranked player in the world was not even ranked when the 2008/2009 season began. He has fought and climbed very quickly to the top of the International Racquetball Tour rankings. Kane Waselenchuk, has something to prove and is showing everyone in the world he is determined to get his #1 ranking back. After being away from the tour for two years, everyone wondered which Kane would return. Would it be the player that was previously #1 ranked for 3 years in a row before his absence? Or would it be a Kane that would have to adjust and get through rust as he would have to find his place?
If you guessed the first one you are absolutely, without a doubt, right! Some players are saying that he is playing better than ever.
The IRT has completed 11 of 13 Tier 1 or higher events for the 2008/2009 season. Only a "Grand Slam" event brings more professional Racquetball Players to a tournament than a Tier 1 event. Of the 11 events for 2008/2009, Kane Waselenchuk won 8 of the 9 events that he has entered. Kane, playing for Pro Kennex and representing his company Krowning Moment, has only lost one match all season. This is a great accomplishment as the IRT has the best players in the world compete at Pro Racquetball Events.
His only loss came at the California Open in January against the current #4 Ranked Player in the world Alvaro Beltran, playing for Gearbox Racquetball. Alvaro was the first and only player to defeat Kane this season and the only player to push Kane at the 2008 US Open where Kane captured his 4th US Open title; more than any other player in history.
When people questioned whether anyone would beat Kane this season; the first player most people would mention was Alvaro. Good job to Alvaro for showing his fans they were right! Though Kane left Alvaro on 0 in one of their games in their first meeting of the IRT season at a satellite event in South Carolina; that didn't seem to affect Alvaro as he has fought back and has taken a game or two off of Kane last three meetings with a 5 gamer at the US Open that is one of the most amazing matches I have ever witnessed. If you Google "Kane Waselenchuk" you will find some great matches with him.
Kane seems happy to be back and competing against the best players in the world.
"It's great to be back on tour. I have trained for 2 years, mentally and physically. Up until now, I have met my goals of winning every major tournament I enter and I continue to work towards finishing as the number one world ranked player. The fans at each event have supported and helped to motivate me and I appreciate the positive feedback." Kane
It hasn't been a walk in the park for Kane to win 9 of the 10 events he entered. Right out of the gate Kane was tested.
At the very first event of the 08/09 season at a "Grand Slam event," the Motorola World Championships in Denver, CO Kane had to make it through 3 rounds of qualifying before taking on the best of the world.
He would prove this to be an easy task as he only gave up 19 points through qualifying rounds.
This warrior then went on to take out the #2 ranked Jack Huczek in four games and #3 ranked Alvaro Beltran in three before beating the current #1 ranked player in the world Rocky Carson in 5 games.
You would have to be one of the fittest, most athletic players in the world to be able to win 7 rounds of professional racquetball at a grand slam event. These athletes are some of the most athletic athletes in the world. Professional racquetball players hit the ball over 160 miles an hour and make unbelievable retrieving of shots hit by their opponents.
Kane showed that he is a warrior and is very determined to get his #1 ranking back that he held for 3 years in a row before being away from the game for two years.
It is great having Kane back. The tour is not the same without possibly the very best racquetball player this sport has to offer.
Kane brings a left handed power game with the quickest hands in racquetball. He will have you cheering in your seat with excitement as he shows you how high of a level this sport can be played.
Kane just recently won the Florida Spring Break Pro Am beating Rocky Carson in three games on March 16, 2009.
Here is a look at Kane's season so far.
Kane has played in 9 Tier 1 or better events this current season. He has won all the events entered except the California Open where he lost to Alvaro Beltran in January of this year.
His match record this season is 42-1 and he has only lost 18 games of the total 144 he has played. This is unheard of in professional sports. What player has dominated their sport the way Kane Waselenchuk has?
With two events remaining these will be an exciting one as Rocky Carson, Jack Huczek, Alvaro Beltran, and Jason Mannino fight Kane off as he attempts to take back what he believes to be his.... The #1 Ranking Title.
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