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. This week, from August 19-23, Humana-Paredes and her partner, Brandie Wilkerson, will be participating in the Montréal Elite16 event at Parc Jean-Drapeau, aiming to build on their success from last year when they clinched the title.
Their victory at the 2025 event, where they defeated Germany’s Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann in straight sets (21-15, 22-20), marked their first championship together. Humana-Paredes emphasized the significance of competing on home soil, expressing appreciation for the enthusiastic support from Montréal fans, whom she considers among the best sports enthusiasts she has encountered.
The duo’s focus is not limited to the current event in Montréal. They are already looking ahead to the upcoming Olympic journey, particularly targeting the LA 2028 Games. Despite the Games being two years away, the qualification process starting in 2027 has prompted them to initiate their planning efforts early.
As Humana-Paredes acknowledges the excitement surrounding the future Olympics, she stresses the importance of staying grounded and not getting too ahead of themselves. They are breaking down the Olympic cycle into manageable stages to prevent feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.
In preparation for the 2026 season, the pair has revisited their foundational training approach, reuniting with familiar coaching staff in Los Angeles. This strategy has yielded positive outcomes, with recent successes including a silver at the Saquarema Elite event and a gold at the Elite16 tournament in Ostrava, Czechia, marking their fourth gold medal on the Beach Pro Tour.
The journey of Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson has been marked by steady progress, transitioning from bronze in 2023 to silver in 2024 and now building on their Olympic silver from Paris. For Humana-Paredes, these achievements serve as stepping stones towards continuous improvement and growth in their sport.
Looking ahead to the LA 2028 Olympics, Humana-Paredes anticipates a sentimental return to Los Angeles, a city where she has trained extensively throughout her career, considering it a second home. The prospect of competing in a place with such personal significance adds an extra layer of meaning to her Olympic aspirations.
The enthusiastic support for beach volleyball in cities like Hermosa Beach and Long Beach, with their deep-rooted connections to the sport, is something that Humana-Paredes finds inspiring. The upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles are expected to showcase beach volleyball as a marquee event, further solidifying its place in the sporting landscape.
While the road to LA is long, each stop along the way, including Montréal, holds its own significance for Humana-Paredes. Despite the demanding nature of her career that often keeps her away from home, she values the opportunity to compete in front of Canadian fans, cherishing every moment on the journey towards Olympic success.