The 2026 SOHO Hotel Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Championships, presented by Dr. Sylva Brose, delivered an unforgettable celebration of competition, inclusion, and community at the prestigious Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club.

Featuring both the inaugural Ontario Men’s Open Wheelchair Doubles Championship and the Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Squash “B” Championship, the event showcased the incredible growth, skill, and spirit of wheelchair squash across Ontario.

Elite Competition Headlines Men’s Open Championship

The inaugural 2026 SOHO Hotel Ontario Men’s Open Wheelchair Doubles Championship brought together top athletes and remarkable talent for a weekend filled with dramatic finishes and high-level play.

The competition proved incredibly tight from the outset, with three athletes tied following the semifinal round. Advancement to the championship final ultimately came down to total points scored, highlighting just how fiercely competitive the event truly was.

Awaiting the finalists was reigning 2025 Canadian Wheelchair Doubles Champion Jeff Harris, who entered the championship looking to add another title to his resume. Harris partnered with former World No. 49 and three-time Canadian Women’s Open Doubles Champion Nikki Todd, forming one of the strongest pairings in the event. "I am grateful to be a part of the first Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Squash Championships and even better to come away with the win with Jeff!" said Todd after match ball.

Also competing was Canadian doubles legend Robin Clarke, holder of a record eight Canadian Men’s Open Doubles titles, who teamed up with Yagiz Boran in pursuit of the championship crown.

The final delivered everything spectators could have hoped for, featuring three tightly contested matches filled with intensity, determination, and exceptional shot-making. In the end, Harris and Todd once again proved to be the team to beat, with Harris successfully capturing another wheelchair doubles squash title.

Adding to the excitement and prestige of the championship, current World No. 3 and former World Champion Diego Elias joined athletes and coaches on court to present medals during the awards ceremony. Elias has also spent time on court with champion Jeff Harris over the past two years, making the moment even more meaningful for competitors and spectators alike. "Really cool to watch the first-ever Ontario wheelchair doubles squash championships, and amazing to see how much Jeff has improved since we first hit together two years ago when he was just starting.” expressed the Peruvian Puma Elias.

“One of the most frustrating aspects of having a paralyzed leg is that it’s difficult to do cardio exercise, and experience the feeling of speed and excitement… Wheelchair squash solves both those problems! It is thrilling to feel agile once again, to feel blood pumping through my system” proclaimed Harris. "I am so thankful to Lolly Gillen and her amazing team of volunteer coaches who dedicate their time to enable us to shine. The “doubles” aspect of the sport is the ultimate example of selflessness — our partners put their own competitive drive aside to allow us to score the winning shots. It was super cool to play with World class players like Nikki Todd and Robin Clarke … that final match was a nail biter!! Thank you to Squash Ontario for putting on such a professional event… I eagerly await future challenges!”

Men’s Open Medalists

🥇 Gold Medal — Jeff Harris
🥈 Silver Medal — Yagiz Boran
🥉 Bronze Medals — Marshall Lucatch & Papito Wilson

Special recognition also goes to the Cricket volunteer coaches whose dedication and support helped guide athletes throughout the event: Ina du Toit, John Frederick, Steve Hisey, and Steven Seider.

“B” Championship Crowns First-Ever Champion

The 2026 SOHO Hotel Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Squash “B” Championship also made history by crowning its first-ever champion.

Throughout four intense rounds of competition, athletes demonstrated remarkable courage, determination, and sportsmanship while competing at an incredibly high level. Participants represented a wide range of physical challenges, including cerebral palsy, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, polio, and acquired brain injuries (ABI) involving neck and spine damage.

Prior to the medal presentations, Heather Dart, Vice President of Squash Ontario, praised the athletes for their exceptional abilities and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continuing the growth and promotion of wheelchair squash across Ontario.

“B” Championship Results

🥇 Gold Medal — Linda Hamilton (partner Steven Seider)
🥈 Silver Medal — Martha Gustafson (partner John Frederick)
🥉 Bronze Medals — Marilyn Abbs (partner Joanne Maxwell) and MT Mathema (partner Saul Sigulim)

Consolation Results

🏅 Consolation Winner — Shelley Gilbert (partner Rob Maxwell)
🏅 Consolation Finalist — Lindsay Davis (partner Peggy Hirtle)

About Wheelchair Doubles Squash

Canada has emerged as a global pioneer in Wheelchair Squash, becoming the first nation in the world to establish a thriving structured program for the sport. Played with a Squash57 racquet — five inches shorter than a traditional squash racquet — and a larger, livelier 57mm ball, the game offers athletes more reaction time, longer rallies and an exciting style of play that is both accessible and highly competitive. Similar to para tennis, players are permitted two bounces, further enhancing the inclusivity and flow of the sport.

Ontario has led the charge in transforming the vision into reality. The first official Wheelchair Squash program was launched in 2023 at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club under the leadership of Lolly Gillen, Chair of the World Squash57 Commission. What began as an ambitious initiative has rapidly evolved into a vibrant and growing community, with the Toronto Cricket Club continuing to host two weekly sessions ever since. The momentum expanded even further in October 2025 when both Ridley College and White Oaks Resort & Spa introduced their own weekly wheelchair squash programs.

“Ironically, squash may be one of the most natural racquet sports for wheelchair athletes to play,” explains Gillen. “The enclosed court and the ability to use the walls creatively mean athletes can construct points, extend rallies and showcase incredible skill without needing to cover enormous distances. Watching these athletes maneuver a sport chair while simultaneously controlling the ball with such precision is nothing short of extraordinary. Their resilience, competitiveness and passion for the game are truly redefining what sportsmanship looks like.”

The Game - Wheelchair Doubles Squash is played between two teams on opposite sides of a regular squash court. Each team consists of one wheelchair athlete and one able-bodied player. The objective is to hit the ball across an imaginary line dividing the court down the middle. Players are permitted up to two bounces before returning the ball to the front wall, and each team has up to two opportunities between them to return the ball across the court.

Players may use a variety of shots — including cross-court, front side, reverse corner, or back wall shots — provided the ball crosses the middle line by the second bounce.

Similar to regular squash rules, a point is awarded on every rally, games are played to 11 points (10-10 win by two), and matches are won by capturing two out of three games.

The Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Squash Championships were a powerful example of the inclusive and community-driven future of squash in Ontario, while highlighting the extraordinary talent, resilience, and passion of all athletes involved.

Squash Ontario extends sincere thanks to all athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, supporters, and partners who helped make this historic championship weekend possible, including:

Title Sponsor- SoHo Hotel Toronto

Presenting Sponsor- Dr. Sylva Brose

Host Venue- Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club

Championship Director- Lolly Gillen

Together, they helped create an exceptional championship that celebrated competition, accessibility, and the continued growth of wheelchair squash throughout Ontario.

History Made at the 2026 SOHO Hotel Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Championships

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