Melissa Humana-Paredes seldom has the opportunity to compete in beach volleyball on Canadian soil, but when she does, Montréal proves to be an excellent venue for her performances. This week, from August 19-23, Humana-Paredes and her partner Brandie Wilkerson are set to participate in the Montréal Elite16 tournament at Parc Jean-Drapeau, aiming to replicate their success from last year’s championship.
Their victory in the 2025 event, where they defeated Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets, marked their first title together. Humana-Paredes expressed her appreciation for the chance to compete at home, emphasizing the enthusiastic support from Montréal fans, whom she considers some of the best sports enthusiasts she has encountered.
The growing support for women’s sports in Canada is a development that excites Humana-Paredes. She views this as a significant momentum that she hopes will endure beyond her own career. While the focus is currently on Montréal, the duo 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, the pair is actively planning for the competition. Humana-Paredes emphasized the need to stay focused on the present moment and not get overwhelmed by the future challenges, understanding the importance of taking the Olympic journey step by step.
In preparation for the 2026 season, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson have revisited their roots by reuniting with their former coaching staff in Los Angeles, creating a familiar environment to propel them towards their Olympic aspirations. Their recent successes, including a gold medal at the Elite16 event in Ostrava, Czechia, are indicative of their continuous improvement and determination.
As they build towards the 2028 Olympics, Humana-Paredes highlighted the importance of fine-tuning their skills and strategies. The prospect of competing in Los Angeles holds special significance for her, as she considers the city a second home due to her extensive training there throughout her career.
Acknowledging the strong connection between Southern California and beach volleyball, Humana-Paredes anticipates that the sport will be a marquee event during the LA Olympics. Despite the future excitement, she values the present opportunity to compete in front of Canadian fans in Montréal, recognizing the significance of each step on the journey to LA.
