A Final for the Ages: Waselenchuk Outlasts Moscoso at Inaugural Players Championship
The inaugural Players Championship delivered one of the most memorable finals in recent IRT history, as Kane Waselenchuk defeated Conrrado Moscoso 15-13, 7-15, 11-9 in a two-hour thriller that showcased the very best of professional racquetball.
From the opening serve, the match carried a championship-level intensity. Waselenchuk came out firing in game one, building a commanding lead and appearing in control. But as has become expected in this rivalry, Moscoso refused to go away.
Trailing late, Moscoso mounted a furious comeback, closing the gap to 13-14 and putting pressure on Kane to respond. Waselenchuk held firm, closing out the game 15-13, but the tone had been set — this would be a battle.
Game two saw the momentum shift fully to Moscoso. His serve became a major factor, generating opportunities and controlling rallies as he evened the match with a 15-7 win. With the energy building inside Los Cab, it felt like the match was heading toward another dramatic Moscoso comeback performance.
The tiebreaker delivered everything fans could have hoped for.
It was a back-and-forth fight, with both players trading points, extending rallies, and leaving everything on the court. Every shot mattered. Every rally felt decisive.
In the end, Waselenchuk found a way to close it out, narrowly winning 11-9 and adding another chapter to one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
Breakout Performances and Key Runs
While the final headlined the weekend, the rest of the draw was filled with standout performances and surprising runs.
Charlie Pratt, competing as the #28 seed, put together one of the most impressive performances of the tournament, knocking off both Adam Manilla and Eduardo Portillo in a strong run that highlighted his experience and shot-making ability.
Jhonatan Flores continued to build on his recent success, carrying momentum from his Chicago victory into another deep run. Flores defeated #3 Andres Acuna in a hard-fought match, finishing with a dominant 11-0 tiebreaker performance. He would go on to face his countryman Conrrado Moscoso in the semifinals, ultimately falling 15-10, 15-12 in a competitive match.
A Sold-Out Success in Southern California
The Players Championship proved to be a major success both on and off the court.
With 223 participants, the event was the largest tournament of the year, and the energy inside Los Cab Sports Village reflected it. Stadium court seating was packed throughout the weekend, creating an atmosphere that elevated every match.
The combination of elite competition, strong participation, and an engaged crowd made the inaugural Players Championship a standout event on the IRT calendar.
The Race for World No. 1 Comes Down to the Final Stops
With the Players Championship complete, the race for the World #1 ranking is now clearly defined — and it will come down to the final two events of the season.
Kane Waselenchuk and Conrrado Moscoso remain at the center of the battle, and the path to the top spot is now straightforward.
If both players reach the finals at the remaining two tournaments, Moscoso must win both events to claim the #1 ranking. If Waselenchuk is able to win either of the final two stops, he will secure the World #1 position to close the season.
Every match moving forward carries major implications, and the margin for error is gone.
A Strong Start for a New Marquee Event
As the first edition of the Players Championship, this event set a high standard moving forward.
With unforgettable matches, emerging storylines, and strong support from players and fans, the tournament has all the ingredients to become a cornerstone event on the IRT Tour for years to come.
A special thank you goes out to Jerry Hall and Rocky Carson for their leadership in hosting a first-class event and delivering a memorable week of racquetball.
