Coby Iwaasa (right) will compete at The World Games in China. He is shown here in a game where he defeated Sam Murray (left) to win the Canadian Men's Open Singles Championship in May 2025. (Photo: McKenzie Brayley)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge man to compete in racquetball at The World Games

Jul 30, 2025 | 3:27 PM

A local racquetball player is set to compete in what he equates to being “the Olympics” of his sport.

Coby Iwaasa has qualified for The World Games, taking place in Chengdu, China, from August 7-17, 2025.

Although he is no stranger to major competitions in racquetball, he says this one feels different.

“It’s kind of anxiety-inducing, a little nerve-racking. It’s my first time at this event – I’ve played many world championships before, but this is my first time at World Games,” says Iwaasa.

Iwaasa has racked up eight national titles in his professional career, including two gold medals at the 2025 Canadian National Racquetball Championships. He has also competed in the Pan American Games.

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At The World Games, Iwaasa will take part in men’s singles and mixed doubles events.

His mixed doubles partner will be Frédérique Lambert, someone whom he has met at tournaments on multiple occasions. The problem, however, is that she lives in Montreal and the two are unable to train together.

“Her and I have known each other for a long time, so at least there’s that bond and that friendship that’s already established, so it’s not that I’m going in and playing with someone brand new, and we’re well aware of how each other plays,” explains Iwaasa.

He says he is the only international racquetball player in Lethbridge, so he often trains alone, but his wife will come to play with him regularly to give him more practice.

Dating back to 1985, Canada’s racquetball athletes have won two silver medals and four bronze at The World Games, but Iwaasa hopes to be the first from the country to bring home gold.

Learn more at TheWorldGames.org.

READ MORE: Lethbridge man wins two national racquetball championships