Melissa Humana-Paredes has limited opportunities to compete in beach volleyball on Canadian soil. However, when she does, Montréal proves to be a favorable location for her success. This week, from August 19-23, Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson are set to participate in the Montréal Elite16 at Parc Jean-Drapeau, aiming to build upon their victory from last year.
In the 2025 event, the Canadian duo triumphed over Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann, securing their first title together with a straight-set win of 21-15, 22-20. Humana-Paredes expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to compete at home, emphasizing the enthusiastic support from Montréal sports fans.
The growing support for women’s sports across Canada is a source of excitement for Humana-Paredes. She views this momentum as a positive development that she hopes will endure beyond her own athletic career. Looking ahead, the pair is already focused on their preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games in LA 2028, with qualifying matches starting in 2027.
While keeping their sights on future competitions, Humana-Paredes emphasized the importance of staying grounded and focusing on the present. To enhance their performance, the duo has returned to their foundational training methods and familiar coaching staff in Los Angeles.
Their recent successes, including a gold medal at the Elite16 event in Ostrava, Czechia, reflect their continuous improvement in the sport. Humana-Paredes sees each tournament as an opportunity for growth and learning, setting the stage for their future endeavors leading up to the LA 2028 Olympics.
With the prospect of competing in a familiar setting in Los Angeles, Humana-Paredes anticipates the upcoming Olympics with enthusiasm. Having trained extensively in the city, she considers it a second home and looks forward to the potential marquee moment that beach volleyball could become in Southern California. For now, she cherishes the chance to showcase her skills in front of Canadian fans in Montréal, appreciating each opportunity to compete on home turf.