Melissa Humana-Paredes has limited opportunities to participate in beach volleyball competitions in her home country. However, when she does, Montréal proves to be a favorable location for her success. Returning to Parc Jean-Drapeau this week for the Montréal Elite16 event from Aug. 19-23, Humana-Paredes and her partner Brandie Wilkerson aim to build on their victory from last year.
Winning the 2025 event by defeating Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets, 21-15, 22-20, marked a significant achievement for the Canadian duo. Humana-Paredes expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to compete on home soil, emphasizing the enthusiastic support of Montréal sports fans.
The rising support for women’s sports across Canada is a trend that Humana-Paredes finds encouraging. She believes that this positive momentum will continue to grow, extending well beyond her own athletic career. While currently focused on Montréal, the pair is already looking ahead to their upcoming Olympic campaign.
With the LA 2028 Olympics approaching in about two years and the qualification process starting in 2027, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson are actively preparing for the competition. Despite the excitement for future events, Humana-Paredes recognizes the importance of staying focused on the present and taking the Olympic journey one step at a time.
Returning to their roots in 2026, the duo sought guidance from their former coaching staff in Los Angeles, creating a familiar environment as they progress towards their Olympic aspirations. Their recent success, including a gold medal at the Elite16 event in Ostrava, Czechia, marks another significant milestone in their journey.
For Humana-Paredes, each competition and medal won is part of a larger process of improvement and growth. As they continue to fine-tune their skills in preparation for the LA Olympics, Humana-Paredes remains dedicated to achieving their best performance when the time comes.
Looking ahead to the LA Olympics, Humana-Paredes anticipates a meaningful return to Los Angeles, a city where she has trained extensively throughout her career. The prospect of competing in a familiar setting adds a special significance to the upcoming event.
With beach volleyball expected to be a marquee event at the Olympics, particularly in Southern California communities like Long Beach, Humana-Paredes is confident in the success of the competition. However, for now, she cherishes the opportunity to play in front of her fellow Canadians in Montréal, a stop along the journey to the LA Olympics that she values deeply.
