Daily Racquetball’s Women Crush Wednesday Racquetball Influencers!
AKA Women Making Racquetball History Now!
We will feature another woman making racquetball history every Wednesday. Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!
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Name: Cheryl Lynn Gudinas
Are you a pro player, coach, association board member, tournament organizer, or racquetball broadcaster AKA why do racquetball players know you?
Former #1 Pro tour player
8-time National Champion
3-time World Champion
2-time Pan American GAMES gold medalist
National Junior Team assistant/head coach(former)
Where do you promote racquetball on social media and the web?
Facebook Personal Page: Cheryl Gudinas
Facebook Athlete Page: Cheryl Gudinas Racquetball News Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/unifiedfit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unifiedfit/
Country of Origin: USA
Place you consider home: Chicago
Have you ever been on your country’s national team? When?:
I hold a record 23.5 consecutive years as a singles qualifier (1993-2017).
Did you play as a junior? When & how where you introduced to the competitive side of racquetball?
I was in the freshman choir and went to senior choir concerts and thought one of the altos was really cute. He worked at a racquet club. I joined the club to see him. He never gave me the time of day.
I played a couple of junior nationals, but it was never my focus.
Playing hand: Right
Year you started playing racquetball: 1983
First female mentors or idols in racquetball: Chris Evon, Kaye Kuhfeld, Lynn Adams
Favorite racquetball shot: Down the line, obviously. Best shot in the game and the one I hit best.
Motivation for the game (what keeps you playing): I always wanted to win to thank the people who helped me, and show them that they were integral to my success.
I also loved silencing any naysayers. I heard that people (in the beginning) said I’d never be good. It was nice to see them backpedal.
Love most about racquetball: The challenge of training. I always wanted to be better. Still do.
Preferred equipment:
I have had a few good sponsors over the years. It cannot be left unsaid that I would not have been #1 without the support of Ron Grimes and Eforce. Timing is everything and I am eternally grateful to Ron and will always view him as a friend.
My current sponsor is GEARBOX and I am proud and honored to be a part of the GB family. I am grateful Rafael took me on in my twilight years, and has given me opportunity to compete and be engaged in sales. He, Joel and Samantha, and everyone at GB, have a vision and have created products unparalleled. It is a true joy to be onboard. Thank you.
Favorite events: The events I enjoyed competing in the most are/were: the US OPEN (only after I won it finally?? ) as it was one of the toughest for me to win. Maryland/Virginia area events. USRA NATIONAL SINGLES in Houston was home away from home. 1995 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires.
Day job: Fitness professional that just passed my real estate exams!
Charity close to your heart: Anything animal rescue related. Too many to list. Adopt don’t shop!
Family shoutout: Thanks to my mom and dad of course. Dad used to keep track of all of my ranking points and they came to Houston most of my winning years. Thanks to strength and conditioning coaches Eugene Coyle and Tim Lang and to best friends Jim Hiser and Kelley Beane for being the best coaches and psychologists on the planet. Special thanks to Usher Barnoff, who always takes time to watch my matches and help me, even when Canada is playing their matches at the same time?? and of course, thanks to WOFO, inc.
Other sports played in addition to racquetball: Anything with a racquet, paddle. Pickleball, badminton, ping pong. Cycling, swimming, kayaking.
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Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!