Melissa Humana-Paredes rarely has the opportunity to compete in beach volleyball on Canadian soil. However, when she does, Montréal has proven to be a favorable location for her success. Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson are set to return to Parc Jean-Drapeau from Aug. 19-23 for the Montréal Elite16 tournament, aiming to build on their victory from the previous year.
The Canadian duo clinched the 2025 event title by defeating Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets, with scores of 21-15, 22-20, marking their first championship together. Humana-Paredes emphasized the significance of competing at home, expressing appreciation for the enthusiastic support from Montréal sports fans.
Beyond the thrill of playing on home turf, Humana-Paredes highlighted the increasing backing for women’s sports in Canada across various disciplines such as hockey, soccer, and basketball. She noted the positive momentum in women’s sports and expressed pride in seeing the growing support from fans.
Looking ahead, while the focus is currently on Montréal, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson are already looking towards their next Olympic campaign. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics looming approximately two years away and Olympic qualification starting in 2027, the pair is diligently preparing for the upcoming challenges.
Despite the anticipation for future events, Humana-Paredes stressed the importance of staying grounded and taking one step at a time. Recognizing the demanding nature of the sport, she emphasized the necessity of breaking down the Olympic journey into manageable segments to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
In their preparations for 2026, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson reunited with their former coaching staff in Los Angeles to create a familiar training environment as they aim for another successful Olympic campaign. Following a silver finish at the Saquarema Elite earlier in the year, the duo secured gold at the Elite16 event in Ostrava, Czechia, marking their eighth podium finish and fourth gold medal on the Beach Pro Tour.
Humana-Paredes views the medals as part of a larger process of improvement and growth. As they refine their skills and hone their performance heading towards Los Angeles, she emphasized the continuous pursuit of progress and excellence.
Looking ahead to the LA Olympics, Humana-Paredes expressed excitement at the prospect of returning to Los Angeles, a city where she has trained extensively throughout her career. The familiarity of the location adds a special touch to the upcoming Olympic journey, making it feel like a second home for the Canadian athlete.
With beach volleyball expected to be a standout event in Long Beach during the 2028 Olympics, Humana-Paredes anticipates a memorable showcase for the sport. In the meantime, she cherishes the opportunity to compete in front of Canadian fans in Montréal, recognizing the significance of each moment in her career, especially when playing on home soil.
