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{{short description|Mexican racquetball player}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
{{Infobox sportsperson
| headercolor =
| headercolor =
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| fullname =
| fullname =
| nickname =
| nickname =
| nationality = Mexican
| residence = El Paso, Texas
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|3|28}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|3|28}}
| birth_place = Chihuahua, Mexico
| birth_place = Chihuahua, Mexico
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| coaching =
| coaching =
| finals =
| finals =
| highestranking = 10th (2016–17)
| highestranking = 2nd (2019–20, 2021)
| worlds =
| worlds =
| regionals =
| regionals =
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| pb =
| pb =
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's [[Racquetball]]}}
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's [[Racquetball]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{MEX}} }}
{{MedalCountry | {{flagu|Mexico}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Racquetball World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Racquetball World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2010 [[Racquetball World Championships|Korea]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalBronze | 2010 [[Racquetball World Championships|Korea]] | Doubles}}
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{{MedalGold | 2017 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Jose]] | Singles}}
{{MedalGold | 2017 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Jose]] | Singles}}
{{MedalGold | 2017 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Jose]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalGold | 2017 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Jose]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalGold | 2016 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Luis Potosi]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalGold | 2016 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Luis Potosí]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalSilver | 2010 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Pedro Sula]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalSilver | 2010 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|San Pedro Sula]] | Doubles}}
{{MedalCountry | {{flagu|United States}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2023 Pan American Games|2023 Santiago]]|[[Racquetball at the 2023 Pan American Games - Men's team|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Racquetball World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2021 [[Racquetball World Championships|Guatemala City]] | [[2021 Racquetball World Championships – Men's singles|Singles]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2021 [[Racquetball World Championships|Guatemala City]] | [[2021 Racquetball World Championships – Men's doubles|Doubles]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Racquetball Championships|Pan Am Championships]]}}
{{MedalBronze | [[2022 Pan American Racquetball Championships|2022 Santa Cruz]] | Singles}}
{{MedalBronze | [[2022 Pan American Racquetball Championships|2022 Santa Cruz]] | Mixed doubles}}
{{MedalBronze | [[2022 Pan American Racquetball Championships|2022 Santa Cruz]] | Team}}
| show-medals =
| show-medals =
}}
}}


'''Alejandro Landa''' (born March 20, 1988) is a Mexican [[racquetball]] player. Landa is a two-time winner on the [[International Racquetball Tour]] (IRT), and has represented Mexico internationally, winning gold in Men’s Singles and Doubles at the 2017 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|Pan American Championships]].
'''Alejandro Landa''' (born March 20, 1988) is a Mexican-born American retired [[racquetball]] player. Landa is a former [[2021 Racquetball World Championships – Men's singles|World Champion in Men's Singles]], winning the title in [[Guatemala City]] in December 2021 while playing for the USA. Previously, he'd represented Mexico internationally, winning gold in Men's Singles and Doubles at the 2017 [[Pan American Racquetball Championships|Pan American Championships]]. Landa also won four titles on the [[International Racquetball Tour]] (IRT).


==Early life==
==Early life==
Landa was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but moved to the USA as a teenager. He began playing racquetball at age 12.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garry|first1=Mick|title=Alejandro Landa a surprise winner at Lewis Drug racquetball tourney|url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/2018/01/21/landa-surprise-winner-lewis/1052140001/|publisher=Argus Leader|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> His best result as a junior player was a 2nd-place finish in Boy's U18 at the 2006 Junior World Championships, losing in the final to David Ortega of Mexico.<ref name="prostats">{{cite web|url=http://www.proracquetballstats.com/|website=Pro Racquetball Stats|publisher=Todd Boss|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Landa was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but moved to the US as a teenager. He began playing racquetball at age 12.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garry|first1=Mick|title=Alejandro Landa a surprise winner at Lewis Drug racquetball tourney|url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/2018/01/21/landa-surprise-winner-lewis/1052140001/|publisher=Argus Leader|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> His best result as a junior player was a 2nd-place finish in Boy's U18 at the 2006 Junior World Championships, losing in the final to David Ortega of Mexico.<ref name="prostats">{{cite web|url=http://www.proracquetballstats.com/|website=Pro Racquetball Stats|publisher=Todd Boss|accessdate=12 April 2018|title=Pro Racquetball Stats Tour Selection Page}}</ref>


==2008 to 2012==
==2008 to 2012==
Landa didn’t play on the [[International Racquetball Tour]] (IRT) more than twice in a season until the 2008–09 season, when he entered five events. In those events, Landa finished in the Round of 16 three times and twice in the Round of 32, which led him to finish ranked 20th that season.<ref name="prostats" />
Landa didn't play on the [[International Racquetball Tour]] (IRT) more than twice in a season until the 2008–09 season, when he entered five events. In those events, Landa finished in the Round of 16 three times and twice in the Round of 32, which led him to finish ranked 20th that season.<ref name="prostats" />


He played five events in the 2009–10 season (four Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32), and seven events in the 2010–11 season (six Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32). Landa was ranked 15th in 2009–10 and 17th in 2010–11.<ref name="prostats" />
He played five events in the 2009–10 season (four Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32), and seven events in the 2010–11 season (six Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32). Landa was ranked 15th in 2009–10 and 17th in 2010–11.<ref name="prostats" />


In 2010, Landa represented Mexico for the first time, and did so twice. He played Men’s Doubles with Ruben Estrada at the 2010 Pan American Championships in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They lost in the final to Canadians [[Mike Green (racquetball)|Mike Green]] and [[Tim Landeryou]], 15-9, 12-15, 11-9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Doubles - 2010 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bxpv3qmv02ijodh/AAB0MU87zz-NTok-iVoE2WUba/03-Open?dl=0&preview=Men's+Double+Open+Playoffs.pdf|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
In 2010, Landa represented Mexico for the first time, and did so twice. He played Men's Doubles with Ruben Estrada at the 2010 Pan American Championships in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They lost in the final to Canadians [[Mike Green (racquetball)|Mike Green]] and [[Tim Landeryou]], 15–9, 12–15, 11–9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Doubles – 2010 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bxpv3qmv02ijodh/AAB0MU87zz-NTok-iVoE2WUba/03-Open?dl=0&preview=Men's+Double+Open+Playoffs.pdf|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


That summer Landa played both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles at the [[2010 Racquetball World Championships|2010 World Championships]] in Seoul, South Korea. In Men’s Singles, he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian Ricardo Monroy, 14-15, 15-9, 11-10, while in Men’s Doubles - playing with Miguel Perea - he earned a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to Canadians Green and Landeryou, 15-2, 15-5.
That summer Landa played both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles at the [[2010 Racquetball World Championships|2010 World Championships]] in Seoul, South Korea. In Men's Singles, he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian Ricardo Monroy, 14–15, 15–9, 11–10, while in Men's Doubles – playing with Miguel Perea – he earned a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to Canadians Green and Landeryou, 15–2, 15–5.


In the IRT 2011–12 season, Landa made his first IRT quarterfinal at the 2012 San Diego Open by getting a forfeit win over Kane Waselenchuk. He lost to Tony Carson in that quarterfinal, 5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10. Overall that season, he played in six events with four Round of 16 finishes and one Round of 32 along with that quarterfinal, which ranked him 15th at end of the season.<ref name="prostats" />
In the IRT 2011–12 season, Landa made his first IRT quarterfinal at the 2012 San Diego Open by getting a forfeit win over Kane Waselenchuk. He lost to Tony Carson in that quarterfinal, 5–11, 11–4, 11–8, 12–10. Overall that season, he played in six events with four Round of 16 finishes and one Round of 32 along with that quarterfinal, which ranked him 15th at end of the season.<ref name="prostats" />


==2013 to 2016==
==2013 to 2016==
2013 was a breakthrough year for Landa. In January, he reached his first IRT semi-final at the California Open by defeating [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Jose Rojas]] in the Round of 16 and [[Daniel De La Rosa]] in the quarterfinals, but he lost to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis, 11-2, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3. Also in early 2013, Landa reached the quarterfinals twice in New York and St Louis, and he finished 15th at the end of the 2012–13 IRT season.<ref name="prostats" />
2013 was a breakthrough year for Landa. In January, he reached his first IRT semi-final at the California Open by defeating [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Jose Rojas]] in the Round of 16 and [[Daniel de la Rosa]] in the quarterfinals, but he lost to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis, 11–2, 11–8, 7–11, 11–3. Also in early 2013, Landa reached the quarterfinals twice in New York and St Louis, and he finished 15th at the end of the 2012–13 IRT season.<ref name="prostats" />


Also in 2013, Landa played four events on the World Racquetball Tour, reaching the finals each time and winning three of them. He beat Alejandro Cardona at the San Diego Open, Polo Gutierrez at the Juarez Open and Gutierrez again at the Chile Open,<ref>{{cite web|last1=UPI Chile|title=Racquetball: Estadounidense Alejandro Landa fue doble campeón en el WRT de Viña del Mar|url=http://www.elmostrador.cl/ahora/2013/06/08/racquetball-estadounidense-alejandro-landa-fue-doble-campeon-en-el-wrt-de-vina-del-mar/|website=El Mostrador|publisher=El Mostrador|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> 5-15, 15-12, 11-9.<ref name="r2sports">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=11288&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination - Racquetball - WRT 2013 Chile Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> At the end of the year, Cardona beat Landa, 15-8, 9-15, 11-7, in Chula Vista, California.
Also in 2013, Landa played four events on the World Racquetball Tour, reaching the finals each time and winning three of them. He beat Alejandro Cardona at the San Diego Open, Polo Gutierrez at the Juarez Open and Gutierrez again at the Chile Open,<ref>{{cite web|last1=UPI Chile|title=Racquetball: Estadounidense Alejandro Landa fue doble campeón en el WRT de Viña del Mar|url=http://www.elmostrador.cl/ahora/2013/06/08/racquetball-estadounidense-alejandro-landa-fue-doble-campeon-en-el-wrt-de-vina-del-mar/|website=El Mostrador|publisher=El Mostrador|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> 5–15, 15–12, 11–9.<ref name="r2sports">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=11288&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – WRT 2013 Chile Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> At the end of the year, Cardona beat Landa, 15–8, 9–15, 11–7, in Chula Vista, California.


Despite a good 2013, Landa played less in the next year. He was only in three events in the 2013–14 IRT season, and didn’t make it past the Round of 16 at all. Landa also played three events on the WRT in 2014, and won two of them. Both wins came in Juarez, Mexico. He defeated Javier Moreno in April and then beat Jake Bredenbeck in August, 15–10, 15-10.<ref name="r2sports2">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=12967&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination - Racquetball - 2014 WRT Juarez Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Despite a good 2013, Landa played less in the next year. He was only in three events in the 2013–14 IRT season, and didn't make it past the Round of 16 at all. Landa also played three events on the WRT in 2014, and won two of them. Both wins came in Juarez, Mexico. He defeated Javier Moreno in April and then beat Jake Bredenbeck in August, 15–10, 15–10.<ref name="r2sports2">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=12967&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2014 WRT Juarez Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


Landa reached the semi-finals at the [[US Open Racquetball Championships|US Open]] for the first time in 2014, as he beat [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Jose Rojas]] in the Round of 16, 3-11, 11-9, 14-12, 6-11, 11-4 and [[Daniel De La Rosa]] in the quarterfinals, 11-2, 11-8, 11-6, before losing to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis, 11-4, 11-2, 11-2. That was one of two semi-finals he reached in the 2014–15 IRT season. The other was in San Marcos, Texas, where he defeated [[Alvaro Beltran]] in the Round of 16, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7, [[Chris Crowther]] in the quarterfinals, 11-7, 11-8, 5-11, 3-11, 14-12, before losing to [[Rocky Carson]], 11-2, 13-11, 11-6. This helped Landa finish 11th in the rankings, which was a career high.<ref name="prostats" />
Landa reached the semi-finals at the [[US Open Racquetball Championships|US Open]] for the first time in 2014, as he beat [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Jose Rojas]] in the Round of 16, 3–11, 11–9, 14–12, 6–11, 11–4 and [[Daniel de la Rosa]] in the quarterfinals, 11–2, 11–8, 11–6, before losing to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis, 11–4, 11–2, 11–2. That was one of two semi-finals he reached in the 2014–15 IRT season. The other was in San Marcos, Texas, where he defeated [[Álvaro Beltrán]] in the Round of 16, 4–11, 11–9, 11–6, 11–7, [[Chris Crowther]] in the quarterfinals, 11–7, 11–8, 5–11, 3–11, 14–12, before losing to [[Rocky Carson]], 11–2, 13–11, 11–6. This helped Landa finish 11th in the rankings, which was a career high.<ref name="prostats" />


Landa won both of the WRT events he played in 2015. He made an impressive run to win again in Juarez,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rodriguez|first1=Jesús Ángel|title=Refrenda paseño Alejandro Landa título|url=http://diario.mx/Deportes/2015-06-21_610a495a/refrenda-paseno-alejandro-landa-titulo/|website=El Dirario|publisher=El Dirario|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> as he defeated [[Carlos Keller Vargas]] in the Round of 32, Javier Moreno in the Round of 16, David Horn in the quarterfinals, [[Sebastian Franco]] in the semi-finals, and Bredenbeck in the final, 15-5, 15-4.<ref name="r2sports3">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=14281&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination - Racquetball - 2015 WRT Juarez Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> Then at the end of the year, Landa beat Jaime Martell in the final of the Alamo City Open in San Antonio,<ref name="r2sports4">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=13656&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination - Racquetball - 2015 WRT Alamo City Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> beating Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals and David Horn in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Landa won both of the WRT events he played in 2015. He made an impressive run to win again in Juarez,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rodriguez|first1=Jesús Ángel|title=Refrenda paseño Alejandro Landa título|url=http://diario.mx/Deportes/2015-06-21_610a495a/refrenda-paseno-alejandro-landa-titulo/|website=El Dirario|publisher=El Dirario|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> as he defeated [[Carlos Keller Vargas]] in the Round of 32, Javier Moreno in the Round of 16, David Horn in the quarterfinals, [[Sebastian Franco]] in the semi-finals, and Bredenbeck in the final, 15–5, 15–4.<ref name="r2sports3">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=14281&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2015 WRT Juarez Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> Then at the end of the year, Landa beat Jaime Martell in the final of the Alamo City Open in San Antonio,<ref name="r2sports4">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=13656&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2015 WRT Alamo City Open|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> beating Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals and David Horn in the semi-finals to reach the final.


In 2016, Landa successfully defended his Alamo City Open title by beating Cardona in the final, 15-6, 15-10.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McCormick|first1=Laura|title=Mighty Mexican powers through in straight games|url=https://squashmad.com/breaking-news/alex-landa-wins-shoot-alamo/|website=Squash Mad|publisher=Squash Mad|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> He defeated Andree Parrilla, 15-12, 15-11, in the quarterfinals, and Jaime Martell, 15-11, 15-13, in the semi-finals en route to the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Singles WRT Alamo City Open|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=17585&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|website=R2 Sports|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
In 2016, Landa successfully defended his Alamo City Open title by beating Cardona in the final, 15–6, 15–10.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McCormick|first1=Laura|title=Mighty Mexican powers through in straight games|url=https://squashmad.com/breaking-news/alex-landa-wins-shoot-alamo/|website=Squash Mad|publisher=Squash Mad|accessdate=12 April 2018|date=2016-12-06}}</ref> He defeated Andree Parrilla, 15–12, 15–11, in the quarterfinals, and Jaime Martell, 15–11, 15–13, in the semi-finals en route to the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Singles WRT Alamo City Open|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=17585&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|website=R2 Sports|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


Landa played for Mexico for a third time at the 2016 Pan American Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, winning gold in Men's Doubles with Javier Moreno. They defeated the Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador, 15-11, 15-10, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Doubles - 2016 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dveba09fj6qf1qn/AADUW8aXv8JeumP8qFYN1VFwa/PARC-2016-02-Open/02-Open-Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-Men-Doubles-2.pdf|website=IRF|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Landa played for Mexico for a third time at the 2016 Pan American Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, winning gold in Men's Doubles with Javier Moreno. They defeated the Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador, 15–11, 15–10, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Doubles – 2016 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dveba09fj6qf1qn/AADUW8aXv8JeumP8qFYN1VFwa/PARC-2016-02-Open/02-Open-Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-Men-Doubles-2.pdf|website=IRF|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


==2017 to present==
==2017 to 2019==
After only playing one IRT event in 2015–16 (a Round of 32 loss to Javier Moreno at the 2015 [[US Open Racquetball Championships|US Open]]<ref name="r2sports5">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=14015&divID=0&combinedID=111694&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles IRT Pro Main Single Elimination - Racquetball - 2015 UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>), Landa stormed back to the tour in 2016–17, as he reached the semi-finals in three of the five events he played. Landa was a semi-finalist in the first event of that season in Overland Park, Kansas, as he beat [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Jose Rojas]] in the Round of 16 and Jake Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals before losing to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2. His second semi-final came in Lilburn, Georgia, where Landa beat [[Rocky Carson]], 11-5, 10-12, 11-0, 5-11, 13-11, in the Round of 16, and [[Jansen Allen]], 11-9, 11-7, 11-9, in the quarterfinals before losing to [[Daniel De La Rosa]] in the semis, 11-7, 12-10, 1-11, 9-11, 11-6. The third semi-final was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where De La Rosa again got the better of him in the semis, 11-5, 12-10, 11-7. Landa beat [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Rojas]] in the Round of 16 and Andree Parrilla in the quarters in Sioux Falls. Overall, Landa finished ranked 10th, which was a career high.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Landeryou|first1=Tim|title=Rankings Review: 12th #1 Title Caps Kane’s Perfect Season|url=http://www.irt-tour.com/12th-1-title-caps-kanes-perfect-season/|website=International Racquetball Tour|publisher=IRT|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
After only playing one IRT event in 2015–16 (a Round of 32 loss to Javier Moreno at the 2015 [[US Open Racquetball Championships|US Open]]<ref name="r2sports5">{{cite web|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=14015&divID=0&combinedID=111694&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|title=Men's Singles IRT Pro Main Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2015 UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships|website=r2sports.com|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>), Landa stormed back to the tour in 2016–17, as he reached the semi-finals in three of the five events he played. Landa was a semi-finalist in the first event of that season in Overland Park, Kansas, as he beat [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Jose Rojas]] in the Round of 16 and Jake Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals before losing to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis, 11–3, 11–4, 11–2. His second semi-final came in Lilburn, Georgia, where Landa beat [[Rocky Carson]], 11–5, 10–12, 11–0, 5–11, 13–11, in the Round of 16, and [[Jansen Allen]], 11–9, 11–7, 11–9, in the quarterfinals before losing to [[Daniel de la Rosa]] in the semis, 11–7, 12–10, 1–11, 9–11, 11–6. The third semi-final was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where De La Rosa again got the better of him in the semis, 11–5, 12–10, 11–7. Landa beat [[Jose Rojas (racquetball)|Rojas]] in the Round of 16 and Andree Parrilla in the quarters in Sioux Falls. Overall, Landa finished ranked 10th, which was a career high.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Landeryou|first1=Tim|title=Rankings Review: 12th #1 Title Caps Kane's Perfect Season|url=http://www.irt-tour.com/12th-1-title-caps-kanes-perfect-season/|website=International Racquetball Tour|publisher=IRT|accessdate=12 April 2018|date=2017-06-14}}</ref>


Landa played for Mexico for a fourth time at the 2017 Pan American Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, winning gold in both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles with Polo Gutierrez.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kirk|first1=Cheryl|title=2017 Pan American Racquetball Championship Blogs|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Racquetball/Features/2017/April/07/2017-Pan-American-Racquetball-Championship-Blogs|website=USA Racquetball|publisher=USA Racquetball|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> In Men's Singles, he defeated Canadian [[Mike Green (racquetball)|Mike Green]] in the quarterfinals, 15-12, 15-5, Costa Rican Andres Acuña in the semi-finals, 15-14, 15-10, and the USA's Charles Pratt in the final, 15-10, 15-11.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Singles - 2017 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i6kb2fhy9hm39u7/AACuCICShYEdLjrN1-gAUV3Xa/01-Open/02-Open-Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-Men-Singles-2.pdf|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> In Men's Doubles, Landa and Gutierrez beat Ecuadorans Rios and Ugalde in the quarterfinals, 15-3, 9-15, 11-3, then the Dominican Republic's Ramon De Leon and Luis Perez, 15-3, 15-3, in the semi-finals, and in the final they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the USA, 10-15, 15-8, 11-4.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Doubles - 2017 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i6kb2fhy9hm39u7/AACuCICShYEdLjrN1-gAUV3Xa/01-Open/02-Open-Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-Men-Doubles-2.pdf|website=International Racquetball Federation|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Landa played for Mexico for a fourth time at the 2017 Pan American Championships in San José, Costa Rica, winning gold in both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles with Polo Gutierrez.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kirk|first1=Cheryl|title=2017 Pan American Racquetball Championship Blogs|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Racquetball/Features/2017/April/07/2017-Pan-American-Racquetball-Championship-Blogs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628012702/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Racquetball/Features/2017/April/07/2017-Pan-American-Racquetball-Championship-Blogs|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2017|website=USA Racquetball|publisher=USA Racquetball|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> In Men's Singles, he defeated Canadian [[Mike Green (racquetball)|Mike Green]] in the quarterfinals, 15–12, 15–5, Costa Rican Andres Acuña in the semi-finals, 15–14, 15–10, and the USA's Charles Pratt in the final, 15–10, 15–11.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Singles – 2017 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i6kb2fhy9hm39u7/AACuCICShYEdLjrN1-gAUV3Xa/01-Open/02-Open-Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-Men-Singles-2.pdf|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> In Men's Doubles, Landa and Gutierrez beat Ecuadorans Rios and Ugalde in the quarterfinals, 15–3, 9–15, 11–3, then the Dominican Republic's Ramon De Leon and Luis Perez, 15–3, 15–3, in the semi-finals, and in the final they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the US, 10–15, 15–8, 11–4.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Doubles – 2017 Pan Am Championships|url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i6kb2fhy9hm39u7/AACuCICShYEdLjrN1-gAUV3Xa/01-Open/02-Open-Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-Men-Doubles-2.pdf|website=International Racquetball Federation|publisher=International Racquetball Federation|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


In the 2017 WRT season, Landa played four events, getting to three finals and winning once. In January, Alejandro Cardona beat Landa, 15-10, 15-10, in the final of the WRT 2018 West Coast Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=WRT 2018 West Coast Championship|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=18673&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> Then on back to back weeks in June, Landa defeated Jake Bredenbeck to win the Torneo Internacional Canels in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, by defeating Cardona in the semi-finals and Jake Bredenbeck in the final, 15-6, 14-15, 11-0,<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 WRT Torneo Internacional Canels|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=21750&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> and then was a finalist at the [[Paola Longoria]] Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, losing to Rodrigo Montoya in the final, 15-13, 5-15, 11-2, after getting by Cardona in the semi-finals, 12-15, 15-14, 11-7.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 WRT Paola Longoria Challenge|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=21743&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
In the 2017 WRT season, Landa played four events, getting to three finals and winning once. In January, Alejandro Cardona beat Landa, 15–10, 15–10, in the final of the WRT 2018 West Coast Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=WRT 2018 West Coast Championship|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=18673&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> Then on back to back weeks in June, Landa defeated Jake Bredenbeck to win the Torneo Internacional Canels in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, by defeating Cardona in the semi-finals and Jake Bredenbeck in the final, 15–6, 14–15, 11–0,<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 WRT Torneo Internacional Canels|url=http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=21750&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> and then was a finalist at the [[Paola Longoria]] Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, losing to Rodrigo Montoya in the final, 15–13, 5–15, 11–2, after getting by Cardona in the semi-finals, 12–15, 15–14, 11–7.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 WRT Paola Longoria Challenge|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=21743&divID=12998&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


Landa tied his best ever finish at the [[US Open Racquetball Championships|US Open]] in 2017, as he reached the semi-finals, losing to [[Rocky Carson]], 11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6. He beat [[Daniel De La Rosa]], 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4, in the quarterfinals to get to the semis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Singles IRT 2017 US Open|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=21382&divID=0&combinedID=147829&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|website=2017 US Open Racquetball Championships|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> Landa also reached the semi-finals in Atlanta, as he beat [[Alvaro Beltran]] in the quarterfinals, but lost to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 IRT Atlanta|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=22078&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Landa tied his best ever finish at the [[US Open Racquetball Championships|US Open]] in 2017, as he reached the semi-finals, losing to [[Rocky Carson]], 11–3, 11–4, 7–11, 11–6. He beat [[Daniel de la Rosa]], 11–9, 12–10, 7–11, 6–11, 11–4, in the quarterfinals to get to the semis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's Singles IRT 2017 US Open|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=21382&divID=0&combinedID=147829&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|website=2017 US Open Racquetball Championships|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> Landa also reached the semi-finals in Atlanta, as he beat [[Álvaro Beltrán]] in the quarterfinals, but lost to [[Kane Waselenchuk]] in the semis.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 IRT Atlanta|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=22078&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


Then Landa went one better, as he not only reached an IRT final for the first time at the 2018 Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but he won the final by defeating [[Daniel De La Rosa]], 15-6, 7-15, 11-10, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Borg|first1=Zach|title=Alejandro Landa Captures Lewis Pro-Am Singles Title With Remarkable Rally|url=http://www.kdlt.com/2018/01/21/alejandro-landa-captures-lewis-pro-singles-title-remarkable-rally/|website=KDLT TV|publisher=KDLT TV|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> En route to the final, Landa beat [[Tim Landeryou]], 15-5, 3-15, 11-6, in the Round of 16, [[Rocky Carson]] in the quarterfinals, 15-14, 11-15, 11-4, and Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7, in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=22542&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Then Landa went one better, as he not only reached an IRT final for the first time at the 2018 Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but he won the final by defeating [[Daniel de la Rosa]], 15–6, 7–15, 11–10, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Borg|first1=Zach|title=Alejandro Landa Captures Lewis Pro-Am Singles Title With Remarkable Rally|url=http://www.kdlt.com/2018/01/21/alejandro-landa-captures-lewis-pro-singles-title-remarkable-rally/|website=KDLT TV|publisher=KDLT TV|accessdate=12 April 2018|date=2018-01-21}}</ref> En route to the final, Landa beat [[Tim Landeryou]], 15–5, 3–15, 11–6, in the Round of 16, [[Rocky Carson]] in the quarterfinals, 15–14, 11–15, 11–4, and Samuel Murray, 15–11, 15–7, in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=22542&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>


In the next IRT tournament - the 2018 IRT March Madness event in San Antonio, Landa again reached the final, but he lost to [[Sebastian Franco]], 15-9 15-13.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 IRT March Madness|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=24804&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> But Landa picked up his 2nd IRT title in April 2018, as he won in Cincinnati, defeating [[Alvaro Beltran]] in the final, 11-15, 15-7, 11-8, after beating [[Rocky Carson]] in the semi-finals, 8-15, 15-6, 11-5.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 IRT Cincinnati|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=22545&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>
In the next IRT tournament – the 2018 IRT March Madness event in San Antonio, Landa again reached the final, but he lost to [[Sebastian Franco]], 15–9 15–13.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 IRT March Madness|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=24804&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref> But Landa picked up his 2nd IRT title in April 2018, as he won in Cincinnati, defeating [[Álvaro Beltrán]] in the final, 11–15, 15–7, 11–8, after beating [[Rocky Carson]] in the semi-finals, 8–15, 15–6, 11–5.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 IRT Cincinnati|url=http://www.r2sports.com/website/bracket.asp?TID=22545&divID=1&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=|publisher=R2 Sports|accessdate=12 April 2018}}</ref>

Landa was the Mexican national champion in 2019, yet he was not selected to represent Mexico at the [[2019 Pan American Games]].<ref name="adios">{{cite web |last1=Guevara |first1=Alfonso Ocón |title=¡Adiós, Alex! |url=https://diario.mx/deportes/adios-alex-20230915-2099202.html |publisher=El Diario |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> That omission led him to change allegiances to the USA for future international events.

==2020 to retirement - Playing for the USA==

Thus, he competed in the 2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where he won the title with [[Sudsy Monchik]], as they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final, 15-13, 4-15, 11-9.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 USA Racquetball Doubles Championships - Men's Doubles US Team Qualifying |url=https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=31680&divID=1416&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message= |website=USA Racquetball |publisher=R2 Sports |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> That qualified Landa to represent the USA at the 2020 IRF World Championships. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Worlds until 2021.

In the 2021 USA team qualifying event in Des Moines, Iowa, Landa finished second to [[Rocky Carson]], losing in the final, 15-12, 15-13, after defeating Jake Bredenbeck in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-11.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 USA Racquetball Adult Team Qualifying |url=https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=37673&divID=1320&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message= |website=USA Racquetball |publisher=R2 Sports |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> Carson chose not to go to the [[2021 Racquetball World Championships|2021 World Championships]] in Guatemala City, Guatemala, so Landa was the USA's #1 singles player with Bredenbeck #2.

That worked out well for Landa, as he won Men's Singles at [[2021 Racquetball World Championships – Men's singles|2021 World Championships]], defeating Bolivian [[Conrrado Moscoso]] in the semi-finals, 3-15, 15-8, 11-6, and Costa Rican [[Andrés Acuña]] in the final, 15-6, 15-6.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 IRF World Championships - Men's Singles |url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lrijgofg0h71isx/AACnoNy4HrX17k54KKh4UFPOa/Draws?dl=0&preview=Llave-MS-2.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 |website=International Racquetball Federation |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> Landa became the 8th USA man to win Men's Singles at Worlds, and the 3rd Mexican born man to win (after [[Alvaro Beltran]] and [[Rodrigo Montoya]]).

Landa was runner up at the 2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships in College Station, Texas to [[Rocky Carson]], losing in the final, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7,<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships |url=https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=38797&divID=1320&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message= |website=USA Racquetball |publisher=R2 Sports |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> but qualifying for Team USA for the 2022 World Championships. He also played doubles with [[Sudsy Monchik]], and they lost in the semi-finals to brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 15-13, 13-11.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships |url=https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=38797&divID=1416&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message= |website=USA Racquetball |publisher=R2 Sports |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref>

Landa was the defending Men's Singles World Champion going into the [[2022 Racquetball World Championships|2022 World Championships]] in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, but he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian [[Conrrado Moscoso]], 15-11, 15-6, 15-12.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 IRF World Championships - Men's Singles |url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hvobh2t9cvwqwaj/AAB0r-zSmp2m7soqISP7v5HHa/Draws?dl=0&preview=Men%27s+Singles+-+Draw.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 |website=International Racquetball Federation |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> But he helped the USA reach the semi-finals in the Men's Team event, so Landa did get a bronze medal in that event.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 IRF World Championships - Men's Team |url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hvobh2t9cvwqwaj/AADDbKMQPUO7fnnoNNPCLAKLa/Team%20Competition?dl=0&preview=Men%27s+Team+Competition.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 |website=International Racquetball Federation |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref>

Landa teamed up with [[Daniel De La Rosa]] to win Men's Doubles at the 2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where they beat Wayne Antone and Adam Manilla in final, 15-13, 11-5, 11-8, and reached the final by beating Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck, 12-10, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, in the semi-finals.,<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships |url=https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=39974&divID=1416&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message= |website=USA Racquetball |publisher=R2 Sports |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> which qualified them for the [[2023 Pan American Games]]. He also played Mixed Doubles with [[Michelle Key|Michelle De La Rosa]], and they lost in the semi-finals to [[Daniel De La Rosa]] and Hollie Scott, 14-12, 11-3, 11-9.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships |url=https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?TID=39974&divID=29284&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&leftFrame=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=
|website=USA Racquetball |publisher=R2 Sports |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref>

At the [[Racquetball at the 2023 Pan American Games|2023 Pan American Games]], Landa and De La Rosa lost in the quarterfinals of Men's Doubles to Canadians [[Coby Iwaasa]] and [[Samuel Murray (racquetball)|Samuel Murray]], 4-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canada playing for gold |url=https://racquetballcanada.ca/canada-play-for-gold/ |website=Racquetball Canada |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> But he earned a bronze medal in the Men's Team event,<ref>{{cite web |title=Santiago 2023 - Men's Double - Landa Alejandro |url=https://results-santiago2023.org/#/discipline/RQL/entries/M.DOUBLES-----------?bio=RQL.11410944 |website=Santiago 2023 |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> as the USA lost in the semi-finals to Bolivia.

Landa announced that he would retire at the end of 2023, as injuries have hampered his training and he's going to devote more time to his family and other personal interests.<ref name=adios />


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of racquetball players]]
* [[List of racquetball players]]
* [https://twitter.com/AlexLanda2024 Alejandro Landa's Twitter page]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Twitter|AlexLanda2024}}

{{Racquetball World Champions (men)}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Mexican racquetball players]]
[[Category:Mexican racquetball players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Chihuahua (state)]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Chihuahua (state)]]
[[Category:American racquetball players]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2022 World Games]]
[[Category:Racquetball players at the 2023 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2023 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in racquetball]]

Latest revision as of 01:29, 3 August 2024

Alejandro Landa
Personal information
Born (1988-03-28) March 28, 1988 (age 36)
Chihuahua, Mexico
Sport
SportRacquetball
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking2nd (2019–20, 2021)
Medal record
Men's Racquetball
Representing  Mexico
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Korea Doubles
Pan Am Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 San Jose Singles
Gold medal – first place 2017 San Jose Doubles
Gold medal – first place 2016 San Luis Potosí Doubles
Silver medal – second place 2010 San Pedro Sula Doubles
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Santiago Team
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Guatemala City Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Guatemala City Doubles
Pan Am Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Santa Cruz Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Santa Cruz Mixed doubles
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Santa Cruz Team

Alejandro Landa (born March 20, 1988) is a Mexican-born American retired racquetball player. Landa is a former World Champion in Men's Singles, winning the title in Guatemala City in December 2021 while playing for the USA. Previously, he'd represented Mexico internationally, winning gold in Men's Singles and Doubles at the 2017 Pan American Championships. Landa also won four titles on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT).

Early life

[edit]

Landa was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but moved to the US as a teenager. He began playing racquetball at age 12.[1] His best result as a junior player was a 2nd-place finish in Boy's U18 at the 2006 Junior World Championships, losing in the final to David Ortega of Mexico.[2]

2008 to 2012

[edit]

Landa didn't play on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) more than twice in a season until the 2008–09 season, when he entered five events. In those events, Landa finished in the Round of 16 three times and twice in the Round of 32, which led him to finish ranked 20th that season.[2]

He played five events in the 2009–10 season (four Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32), and seven events in the 2010–11 season (six Round of 16 finishes, one Round of 32). Landa was ranked 15th in 2009–10 and 17th in 2010–11.[2]

In 2010, Landa represented Mexico for the first time, and did so twice. He played Men's Doubles with Ruben Estrada at the 2010 Pan American Championships in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They lost in the final to Canadians Mike Green and Tim Landeryou, 15–9, 12–15, 11–9.[3]

That summer Landa played both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles at the 2010 World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. In Men's Singles, he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian Ricardo Monroy, 14–15, 15–9, 11–10, while in Men's Doubles – playing with Miguel Perea – he earned a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to Canadians Green and Landeryou, 15–2, 15–5.

In the IRT 2011–12 season, Landa made his first IRT quarterfinal at the 2012 San Diego Open by getting a forfeit win over Kane Waselenchuk. He lost to Tony Carson in that quarterfinal, 5–11, 11–4, 11–8, 12–10. Overall that season, he played in six events with four Round of 16 finishes and one Round of 32 along with that quarterfinal, which ranked him 15th at end of the season.[2]

2013 to 2016

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2013 was a breakthrough year for Landa. In January, he reached his first IRT semi-final at the California Open by defeating Jose Rojas in the Round of 16 and Daniel de la Rosa in the quarterfinals, but he lost to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis, 11–2, 11–8, 7–11, 11–3. Also in early 2013, Landa reached the quarterfinals twice in New York and St Louis, and he finished 15th at the end of the 2012–13 IRT season.[2]

Also in 2013, Landa played four events on the World Racquetball Tour, reaching the finals each time and winning three of them. He beat Alejandro Cardona at the San Diego Open, Polo Gutierrez at the Juarez Open and Gutierrez again at the Chile Open,[4] 5–15, 15–12, 11–9.[5] At the end of the year, Cardona beat Landa, 15–8, 9–15, 11–7, in Chula Vista, California.

Despite a good 2013, Landa played less in the next year. He was only in three events in the 2013–14 IRT season, and didn't make it past the Round of 16 at all. Landa also played three events on the WRT in 2014, and won two of them. Both wins came in Juarez, Mexico. He defeated Javier Moreno in April and then beat Jake Bredenbeck in August, 15–10, 15–10.[6]

Landa reached the semi-finals at the US Open for the first time in 2014, as he beat Jose Rojas in the Round of 16, 3–11, 11–9, 14–12, 6–11, 11–4 and Daniel de la Rosa in the quarterfinals, 11–2, 11–8, 11–6, before losing to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis, 11–4, 11–2, 11–2. That was one of two semi-finals he reached in the 2014–15 IRT season. The other was in San Marcos, Texas, where he defeated Álvaro Beltrán in the Round of 16, 4–11, 11–9, 11–6, 11–7, Chris Crowther in the quarterfinals, 11–7, 11–8, 5–11, 3–11, 14–12, before losing to Rocky Carson, 11–2, 13–11, 11–6. This helped Landa finish 11th in the rankings, which was a career high.[2]

Landa won both of the WRT events he played in 2015. He made an impressive run to win again in Juarez,[7] as he defeated Carlos Keller Vargas in the Round of 32, Javier Moreno in the Round of 16, David Horn in the quarterfinals, Sebastian Franco in the semi-finals, and Bredenbeck in the final, 15–5, 15–4.[8] Then at the end of the year, Landa beat Jaime Martell in the final of the Alamo City Open in San Antonio,[9] beating Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals and David Horn in the semi-finals to reach the final.

In 2016, Landa successfully defended his Alamo City Open title by beating Cardona in the final, 15–6, 15–10.[10] He defeated Andree Parrilla, 15–12, 15–11, in the quarterfinals, and Jaime Martell, 15–11, 15–13, in the semi-finals en route to the final.[11]

Landa played for Mexico for a third time at the 2016 Pan American Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, winning gold in Men's Doubles with Javier Moreno. They defeated the Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador, 15–11, 15–10, in the final.[12]

2017 to 2019

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After only playing one IRT event in 2015–16 (a Round of 32 loss to Javier Moreno at the 2015 US Open[13]), Landa stormed back to the tour in 2016–17, as he reached the semi-finals in three of the five events he played. Landa was a semi-finalist in the first event of that season in Overland Park, Kansas, as he beat Jose Rojas in the Round of 16 and Jake Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals before losing to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis, 11–3, 11–4, 11–2. His second semi-final came in Lilburn, Georgia, where Landa beat Rocky Carson, 11–5, 10–12, 11–0, 5–11, 13–11, in the Round of 16, and Jansen Allen, 11–9, 11–7, 11–9, in the quarterfinals before losing to Daniel de la Rosa in the semis, 11–7, 12–10, 1–11, 9–11, 11–6. The third semi-final was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where De La Rosa again got the better of him in the semis, 11–5, 12–10, 11–7. Landa beat Rojas in the Round of 16 and Andree Parrilla in the quarters in Sioux Falls. Overall, Landa finished ranked 10th, which was a career high.[14]

Landa played for Mexico for a fourth time at the 2017 Pan American Championships in San José, Costa Rica, winning gold in both Men's Singles and Men's Doubles with Polo Gutierrez.[15] In Men's Singles, he defeated Canadian Mike Green in the quarterfinals, 15–12, 15–5, Costa Rican Andres Acuña in the semi-finals, 15–14, 15–10, and the USA's Charles Pratt in the final, 15–10, 15–11.[16] In Men's Doubles, Landa and Gutierrez beat Ecuadorans Rios and Ugalde in the quarterfinals, 15–3, 9–15, 11–3, then the Dominican Republic's Ramon De Leon and Luis Perez, 15–3, 15–3, in the semi-finals, and in the final they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the US, 10–15, 15–8, 11–4.[17]

In the 2017 WRT season, Landa played four events, getting to three finals and winning once. In January, Alejandro Cardona beat Landa, 15–10, 15–10, in the final of the WRT 2018 West Coast Championship.[18] Then on back to back weeks in June, Landa defeated Jake Bredenbeck to win the Torneo Internacional Canels in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, by defeating Cardona in the semi-finals and Jake Bredenbeck in the final, 15–6, 14–15, 11–0,[19] and then was a finalist at the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, losing to Rodrigo Montoya in the final, 15–13, 5–15, 11–2, after getting by Cardona in the semi-finals, 12–15, 15–14, 11–7.[20]

Landa tied his best ever finish at the US Open in 2017, as he reached the semi-finals, losing to Rocky Carson, 11–3, 11–4, 7–11, 11–6. He beat Daniel de la Rosa, 11–9, 12–10, 7–11, 6–11, 11–4, in the quarterfinals to get to the semis.[21] Landa also reached the semi-finals in Atlanta, as he beat Álvaro Beltrán in the quarterfinals, but lost to Kane Waselenchuk in the semis.[22]

Then Landa went one better, as he not only reached an IRT final for the first time at the 2018 Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but he won the final by defeating Daniel de la Rosa, 15–6, 7–15, 11–10, in the final.[23] En route to the final, Landa beat Tim Landeryou, 15–5, 3–15, 11–6, in the Round of 16, Rocky Carson in the quarterfinals, 15–14, 11–15, 11–4, and Samuel Murray, 15–11, 15–7, in the semi-finals.[24]

In the next IRT tournament – the 2018 IRT March Madness event in San Antonio, Landa again reached the final, but he lost to Sebastian Franco, 15–9 15–13.[25] But Landa picked up his 2nd IRT title in April 2018, as he won in Cincinnati, defeating Álvaro Beltrán in the final, 11–15, 15–7, 11–8, after beating Rocky Carson in the semi-finals, 8–15, 15–6, 11–5.[26]

Landa was the Mexican national champion in 2019, yet he was not selected to represent Mexico at the 2019 Pan American Games.[27] That omission led him to change allegiances to the USA for future international events.

2020 to retirement - Playing for the USA

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Thus, he competed in the 2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where he won the title with Sudsy Monchik, as they defeated Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final, 15-13, 4-15, 11-9.[28] That qualified Landa to represent the USA at the 2020 IRF World Championships. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Worlds until 2021.

In the 2021 USA team qualifying event in Des Moines, Iowa, Landa finished second to Rocky Carson, losing in the final, 15-12, 15-13, after defeating Jake Bredenbeck in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-11.[29] Carson chose not to go to the 2021 World Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, so Landa was the USA's #1 singles player with Bredenbeck #2.

That worked out well for Landa, as he won Men's Singles at 2021 World Championships, defeating Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso in the semi-finals, 3-15, 15-8, 11-6, and Costa Rican Andrés Acuña in the final, 15-6, 15-6.[30] Landa became the 8th USA man to win Men's Singles at Worlds, and the 3rd Mexican born man to win (after Alvaro Beltran and Rodrigo Montoya).

Landa was runner up at the 2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships in College Station, Texas to Rocky Carson, losing in the final, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7,[31] but qualifying for Team USA for the 2022 World Championships. He also played doubles with Sudsy Monchik, and they lost in the semi-finals to brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 15-13, 13-11.[32]

Landa was the defending Men's Singles World Champion going into the 2022 World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, but he lost in the quarterfinals to Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso, 15-11, 15-6, 15-12.[33] But he helped the USA reach the semi-finals in the Men's Team event, so Landa did get a bronze medal in that event.[34]

Landa teamed up with Daniel De La Rosa to win Men's Doubles at the 2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where they beat Wayne Antone and Adam Manilla in final, 15-13, 11-5, 11-8, and reached the final by beating Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck, 12-10, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, in the semi-finals.,[35] which qualified them for the 2023 Pan American Games. He also played Mixed Doubles with Michelle De La Rosa, and they lost in the semi-finals to Daniel De La Rosa and Hollie Scott, 14-12, 11-3, 11-9.[36]

At the 2023 Pan American Games, Landa and De La Rosa lost in the quarterfinals of Men's Doubles to Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Samuel Murray, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4.[37] But he earned a bronze medal in the Men's Team event,[38] as the USA lost in the semi-finals to Bolivia.

Landa announced that he would retire at the end of 2023, as injuries have hampered his training and he's going to devote more time to his family and other personal interests.[27]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Garry, Mick. "Alejandro Landa a surprise winner at Lewis Drug racquetball tourney". Argus Leader. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Pro Racquetball Stats Tour Selection Page". Pro Racquetball Stats. Todd Boss. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Men's Doubles – 2010 Pan Am Championships" (PDF). International Racquetball Federation. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  4. ^ UPI Chile. "Racquetball: Estadounidense Alejandro Landa fue doble campeón en el WRT de Viña del Mar". El Mostrador. El Mostrador. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – WRT 2013 Chile Open". r2sports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2014 WRT Juarez Open". r2sports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  7. ^ Rodriguez, Jesús Ángel. "Refrenda paseño Alejandro Landa título". El Dirario. El Dirario. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2015 WRT Juarez Open". r2sports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Men's Singles WRT Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2015 WRT Alamo City Open". r2sports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  10. ^ McCormick, Laura (2016-12-06). "Mighty Mexican powers through in straight games". Squash Mad. Squash Mad. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Men's Singles WRT Alamo City Open". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Men's Doubles – 2016 Pan Am Championships" (PDF). IRF. International Racquetball Federation. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Men's Singles IRT Pro Main Single Elimination – Racquetball – 2015 UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships". r2sports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  14. ^ Landeryou, Tim (2017-06-14). "Rankings Review: 12th #1 Title Caps Kane's Perfect Season". International Racquetball Tour. IRT. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  15. ^ Kirk, Cheryl. "2017 Pan American Racquetball Championship Blogs". USA Racquetball. USA Racquetball. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Men's Singles – 2017 Pan Am Championships" (PDF). International Racquetball Federation. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  17. ^ "Men's Doubles – 2017 Pan Am Championships" (PDF). International Racquetball Federation. International Racquetball Federation. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  18. ^ "WRT 2018 West Coast Championship". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  19. ^ "2017 WRT Torneo Internacional Canels". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  20. ^ "2017 WRT Paola Longoria Challenge". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Men's Singles IRT 2017 US Open". 2017 US Open Racquetball Championships. R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  22. ^ "2017 IRT Atlanta". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  23. ^ Borg, Zach (2018-01-21). "Alejandro Landa Captures Lewis Pro-Am Singles Title With Remarkable Rally". KDLT TV. KDLT TV. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  24. ^ "2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  25. ^ "2018 IRT March Madness". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  26. ^ "2018 IRT Cincinnati". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  27. ^ a b Guevara, Alfonso Ocón. "¡Adiós, Alex!". El Diario. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  28. ^ "2020 USA Racquetball Doubles Championships - Men's Doubles US Team Qualifying". USA Racquetball. R2 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  29. ^ "2021 USA Racquetball Adult Team Qualifying". USA Racquetball. R2 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  30. ^ "2021 IRF World Championships - Men's Singles". International Racquetball Federation. Dropbox. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  31. ^ "2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships". USA Racquetball. R2 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  32. ^ "2022 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships". USA Racquetball. R2 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  33. ^ "2022 IRF World Championships - Men's Singles". International Racquetball Federation. Dropbox. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  34. ^ "2022 IRF World Championships - Men's Team". International Racquetball Federation. Dropbox. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  35. ^ "2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships". USA Racquetball. R2 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  36. ^ "2023 USA Racquetball National Singles and Doubles Championships". USA Racquetball. R2 Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Canada playing for gold". Racquetball Canada. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  38. ^ "Santiago 2023 - Men's Double - Landa Alejandro". Santiago 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
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