India faced tough challenge against Venezuela. Ravi lost his singles against C. Castro, again that put burden on Sanjay to win his singles against M. Laprea of Venezuela. Sanjay lost in tiebreaker game against M. Laprea. That put India in blue division against 9th ranked team from Chile to compete for 5-8th rank.

Ravi won his singles against 1st ranked player P. Farje from Chile. Due to knee injury, Sanjay could not continue his diving skill and lost his singles against S. Roessler of Chile. That required playing double against Chile for 5-8th rank. Ravi and Sanjay's strong double team hit home run against P. Farje & S. Roessler of Chile. That put India to compete for 5th rank against 7th ranked team from Argentina.

Ravi lost his singles against 1st ranked player D. Maggi from Argentina that put heavy burden on injured Sanjay to win against 2nd ranked player S. Manzuri from Argentina. In spite of knee injury, Sanjay was diving all over to win, so they can bring 5th rank by winning doubles. However, S. Manzuri upset Sanjay in straight two games.

India men's team finished 6th rank in the 2004 XIIth IRF World Championship in Korea. Two championship in a raw India men's team finished 6th rank in the World. That put men's team to 6th seed from previous 13th seed. The 2004 World ranks are as follows:

1. USA

2. Canada

3. Mexico

4. Venezuela

5. Argentina

6. India

7. Chile

8. Bolivia

However, women's team with their continuous upset got 14th rank in the World.

In 2006, the XIIIth IRF World Championship will be held in Dominic Republic, where India will have better seeding. Team India has started planning for 2006 to be on top four ranked team.

Team India would like to thank the sponsors that helped put India on the racquetball world map. The sponsors include: Arnold Electronic Inc., CN Travel, CST, Dream Home Realty, DVH Circuits, FIA, Graphic Research Inc., Shehnai Cuisine of India, Shakti Energy Drink, Swaad Indian Cuisine, Bestway Supermarket, 3Di Systems, and We Care Dental.

Review all matches and results at www.internationalracquetball.com

In the past, sponsorship covered only part of the cost. The players shelled out the rest and sometimes endured loss of pay for the workdays they missed to participate in the event.

Team India was invited to participate in the 13th Asian Racquetball Games at Saipan last year, but lack of funding held them back, said Maru.

This year, mostly mostly experienced racquetball players will represent Team India. These veterans have played a vital role in starting and sustaining the team.

Ravi Sohoni, a Huntington Beach school teacher, an AMPRO "American Professional Organization" certified instructor and the spirit behind Team India; Maru, a Placentia resident, also an AMPRO certified instructor; Sid Harshavat of Illinois; and Sanjay Laforest of New York, will form the men's team.

Sohoni and Harshavat have won medals for Team India during previous world championships.

Ullasini Dholakia, who played in a racquetball tournament for the first time at the 2002 world championships, is raring to do it again this year. She and tennis player Ayesha Khetani, who is receiving training from Maru, will form the women's team.

"We are hoping to at least retain our international ranking this year," said Maru. Team India is offering to train young racquetball enthusiasts free of charge, so that they can a strong team for future world championships.

Major Indian organizations have pledged support to a U.S.-based Indian racquetball team, impressed by its persistence and improving performance through successive world championships. They are Graphic Research Inc., C N Travel, Dream Home Realty, Arnold Electronics, Inc., Shehnai Cuisine of India, Shakti Energy Drink, DVH Circuits, CST Environment & Demolition, Swaad Indian Cuisine, FIA, Best Way Supermarket and 3Di Systems.

Maru can be contacted at (714) 315-8070

Although Team India participated in this biennial international racquetball event for just the second time, they achieved the goal they had earlier set for themselves. 'It gave us great satisfaction to finish 10th in the overall tally of 65 countries. Our goal was to come in the top 12.' said Brett Maru, the team's manager. A neck injury prevented Maru from attending the championships held August 2-12.The team's performance underscored an admirable improvement over it's 14th rank out of 33 countries in the year 2000 championships held in Mexico. The men's team finished 6th this time while the women pulled 16th rank in the team finishes.

After losing his first match, Sohoni dropped down to the Red Division in Men's Singles. After that he scored straight wins and went on to beat Uruguay's Gus Farrell, 15-8, 15-8, in the final game to pick up the gold. Sohoni said his toughest match was against Costa Rican Albert Dent whom he defeated 11-10 in the tie-breaker. The most skilled player on Team India, Sohoni played the No. 1 spot in all Men's Singles competition while Kapur played the No. 2 spot.

Kapur however was bumped off from the Men's Singles competitions after losing two games straight.

Sohoni and Kapur came together in the doubles to slam a victory against Dominican Republic's Yamil Isaias and Leonel Simo, 15-5, 15-7 and win the gold. The duo's performance was a feat since the two had never teamed up for doubles before the championships. The two were unsure how they would complement each other and realized there was room for 'tons of improvement' when they played their first doubles against Puerto Rico, said Kapur. 'But as we progressed we made fewer errors and by the end of the tournament, we were very comfortable with each other,' he added.

Dering and Dholakia too had never played doubles together prior to the championships. Dering, an International Pro Tour player (she was ranked 12th in 2000) who gets regular coaching in speed on the court, and nutrition and weight control guidance from sports professionals, teamed up with Dholakia who hadn't played competitive sports for years. However, Dholakia brought guts and commitment to the court to complement Daring's skill and technique. The combination won them third place when they beat Ecuador 15-13, 15-14.

For Dholakia, the inspiration sprang from the thought of representing India. 'There was immediate learning of technique through watching others play and I executed that learning right away on court,' she said. Dholakia, 42, and mother of two, added that age and motherhood were no barrier to competitive sports; that fitness and perseverance were the key. Dholakia was picked as a Team India member since she was the only other woman, besides Dering, to show up for the championship selection process. However, the experience of participating at the international level has already set her training on a regular basis.

Dholakia said women's racquetball received a boost at the championships because women players established a World Women's Racquetball Congress to encourage and create awareness about the sport among women. An all-women racquetball competition is scheduled for next month in Rosarito, Mexico, she added.

Dering whose father is Indian chose to represent India because, she said, she has high respect for her Indian heritage. 'This is a part of helping India,' she said. Dering was the first racquetball player to ever represent India at the world championships in 1998. She won 4th place at that championship followed by a gold in Women's Doubles (with Anita Anthony) at the 2000 championships.

Love for the sport and a desire to represent India drove the players to participate at the championships despite lack of training to compete at the international level. They also faced a shortage of funding to cover the cost of participating.

Although Maru managed to raise around $1,200 through cash sponsorship (Sponsors: Tea India, Shehnai, CST and 3Di) and sale of T-shirts plus a donation of uniform for the players, it fell far short of the cost. Players had to shell out around $1,000 for their own airfare and food. The International Racquetball Federation provided housing. Financial hardship often dissuades skilled players from several countries from participating, said Dering.

Unlike some countries where racquetball players are paid a stipend or get grants from the government, Team India, receives no funding from the Indian government and is, more or less, on its own. Maru, who often sponsors players to compete in tournaments, is trying to get the Indian government to recognize and aid Team India. He also plans to apply for grants for training and future competitions. 'Since the men's team came in 6th, it is now qualified for funding from the Olympic Committee,' he said. 'Next time, we will raise enough money so that players don't have to pay from their own pockets,' he added with determination.

India was represented by a strong six member contingent comprising of four males and two females.

Team India Members included:

Anita Antony : Practicing and playing from the state of Colorado, started playing five years ago has won titles at state, regional and at national level. She has collected numerous honors in singles, doubles and mixed doubles categories respectively. Some of her recent achievements include being selected for the 2000 Olympic Training, Colorado Springs and winning national title in her division. She is currently ranked second in Women’s A category and third in Women 30+ in Colorado state. Anita holds degree in law and management.

Vineet Kapur : 27 year old, practicing and playing from the state of California. He has won numerous titles both in doubles and singles category. His achievements include winning Missouri State B Doubles, winning 2000 Craig McCoy Memorial tournament in Men’s A division and Hazlewood Fall Classic. Vineet has also served in Men’s Varsity Racquetball Team, Washington University from 94 to 97. Vineet is a physician currently residing in San Diego, California.

Ravi Keeran Sohoni: 34 year old, practicing and playing from the state of California. One of the senior member of the Indian racquetball team who has been playing racquetball for the last 20 years. His achievements include winning 2000 Mammoth Lakes Open in Men’s open division, LA splat shot Men’s Open, and winning state championship title in California in 1999. Along with this, he also has the honor of being an AMPRO certified racquetball instructor. Ravi is a teacher currently residing in Huntington Beach, California.

Siva Raghupathy: 34 year old, practicing and playing from the state of California. Another senior member of the team who has been playing racquetball for the last 11 years. Siva started playing this game while completing his Masters from Arizona State University. He continued to play actively while working at Microsoft in Seattle. His achievements include winning 1996 AARA Regional Racquetball championships and securing number 3 rank in the national rankings for Men’s B division. Siva has been ranked as one of the top Men’s A player in the state of Washington. Siva is a software engineer currently residing in San Diego, California.

Sudhanshu (Sid) Harshavat: 24 year old, practicing and playing from the state of Illinois. The junior most member in the Indian squad started playing this sport barely two years ago and has won titles at State, National and International Level. He also got selected for the 2000 Olympic Training camp, Colorado Springs. Sid completed his bachelors at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago and currently serves on the Men’s Varsity Racquetball team of Northwestern University. His achievements include winning Men’s D at US OPEN, semi-finalist in Men’s C at Nationals, winning Illinois State for Men’s C and Men’s B Olympic Open. He is currently ranked number in nation in his age/skill division. Sid is a software engineer at Motorola currently residing in Chicago, Illinois.

Jennifer A. Mayadas-Dering: Team Captain, practicing and playing from the state of New York. Jennifer has attended two Olympic training camps and has the honor of being an AMPRO certified racquetball trainer. Jennifer is an active member of the Women’s International Racquetball Tour and has served the country in the last World Championships. Her achievements include semi-finalist at 98 US OPEN, finalist in 99 US OPEN age division and winning countless state, regional and national championships. She was the semi-finalist for the 1998 World Games (Bolivia), finishing 20th overall among the red division. She is currently ranked number 12 in the WIRT Women’s Professional Rankings. Jennifer is an Electrical Engineer and currently residing in New York.

Participating National Teams:

Highlights of Results/Standings

India out performed expectations as Team India doubles pair of Siva and Sid brought home silver medal in Men’s White category and also Team India doubles pair of Anita and Jennifer brought in Bronze in Women’s Red category. In the individual sides, both Ravi and Vineet made it to last 16 in their respective groups.

Men’s Individual