Melissa Humana-Paredes rarely has the opportunity to compete in beach volleyball on Canadian soil, but when she does, Montréal has proven to be a favorable location for her success. Returning to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the Montréal Elite16 tournament from August 19-23, Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson aim to build on their previous year’s triumph.
Having secured their first title together in 2025 by defeating Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets (21-15, 22-20), the Canadian duo is eager to showcase their skills once again in front of their home crowd. Humana-Paredes expressed her appreciation for the enthusiastic support from Montréal sports fans, emphasizing the unique experience of competing on home turf.
The duo’s focus extends beyond the current tournament as they look ahead to the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. Despite the distant timeline, Humana-Paredes emphasized the importance of staying present and breaking down their Olympic preparations into manageable steps to ensure peak performance when the time comes.
Returning to their roots in 2026, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson reunited with their former coaching staff in Los Angeles, fostering a familiar environment that has contributed to their recent success. Following a silver medal at the Saquarema Elite and a gold medal at the Elite16 event in Ostrava, Czechia, the pair’s consistent podium finishes highlight their progression in the sport.
As they continue their journey towards the LA Olympics, Humana-Paredes looks forward to the prospect of competing in a familiar setting in Los Angeles, a city she considers a second home due to her extensive training there. With beach volleyball anticipated to be a marquee event in Long Beach during the Olympics, Humana-Paredes remains focused on making the most of every opportunity to compete in front of Canadian fans, cherishing the experience of playing on home soil in Montréal.