Melissa Humana-Paredes

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Humana-Paredes is the younger daughter of two Chilean political refugees,{{Cite web|url=http://www.economiaynegocios.cl/noticias/noticias.asp?id=164187|title=EyN: La hija de chilenos que defiende a Canadá y brilla en Toronto|website=www.economiaynegocios.cl}} ballet dancer Myriam Paredes and volleyball player Hernán Humaña, who was part of the national team and later coached Canadians John Child and Mark Heese to the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics. Humana-Paredes started playing beach volleyball at the age of 12, and four years later, was already representing Canada internationally. She also played competitive indoor volleyball for Storm Volleyball. She then attended York University, majoring in communications while playing CIS volleyball for the York Lions for four seasons from 2010 to 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/panamgames/2015/07/13/canadians-make-the-most-of-their-time-on-the-beach.html|title=Canadians make the most of their time on the beach|last=Rush|first=Curtis|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=July 13, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2024}}{{cite web|url=http://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2015/06/02/melissa-humana-paredes-is-york-us-2015-pan-am-hopeful-in-beach-volleyball/|title=Melissa Humana-Paredes is York U's 2015 Pan Am hopeful in beach volleyball|publisher=York University|date=June 2, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://yorkulions.ca/news/2014/2/9/WVBL_0209140126.aspx|title=York honours four seniors after final home game|publisher=York Lions|date=February 9, 2014}}

In 2011, she won a silver medal at the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships with Victoria Altomare.{{Cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/canadian-beach-volleyball-pair-of-melissa-humana-parades-taylor-pischke-real-threat-to-win-at-pan-am-games-and-for-years-to-come|title=Canadian beach volleyball pair of Melissa Humana-Paredes, Taylor Pischke threat to win at Pan Am Games — and for years to come |last=Koreen |first=Eric |newspaper=The National Post |date=July 16, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2024}} Years later, as Hernan talked with volleyball coach Garth Pischke, he learned his daughter Taylor wanted to join the beach volleyball scene and suggested that the two daughters be joined as a team. Both were trained by John Child. The new pair led Humana-Paredes to win the bronze medal at the World Under-23 Championships and be named the top female rookie in 2015 by the International Federation of Volleyball.

Humana-Paredes competed at several Grand Slam and World Cup events, reaching the round of 16 at the 2015 Beach Volleyball World Championships{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sportslongform/entry/canadas-beach-volleyball-stars-ready-for-pan-am-spotlight |title=Volleyball lineage flows through Canada's budding beach duo|last=Kelly |first=Malcolm|publisher=CBC Sports|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2024}} and the semi-finals at the 2015 Pan American Games.{{Cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/07/15/pischke-and-humana-paredes-the-future-of-canadian-beach-volleyball|title=Pischke and Humana-Paredes the future of Canadian beach volleyball |last=Matisz |first=John |newspaper= The Toronto Sun |date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2024}} From August 23–28, 2016, she competed with Pischke at the Long Beach, California, Grand Slam.{{Cite web|url=http://worldtour.2016.fivb.com/en/wlob2016/women/teams/900545-humana-paredes-pischke|title=Overview|website=worldtour.2016.fivb.com}} Playing in Pool-A, they lost to Maria Antonelli and Lili of Brazil (21–11, 23–21), and April Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States (21–16, 21–17) in straight sets. Playing against Carol and Ana Patrícia of Brazil, they won in straight sets (21–19, 26–24), placing them in 3rd in Pool-A.

After forming her partnership with Sarah Pavan, the two were named to the Canadian team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the first edition of the championships to feature a beach volleyball tournament. Humana-Paredes/Pavan reached the gold medal match, where they defeated Australians Clancy/Artacho del Solar for the title.{{cite news |title=Canadians make history by winning inaugural Commonwealth Games beach volleyball event |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/sarah-pavin-melissa-humana-paredes-commonwealth-kitchener-1.4615954 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= April 12, 2018 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }}

Humana-Paredes and Pavan won the gold medal at the 2019 Beach Volleyball World Championships, defeating the American team of April Ross and Alix Klineman in straight-sets 2-0 (23-21, 23-21) for Canada's first medal ever at the event. This victory automatically qualified the Canadian pair for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.{{cite news |last1=Couto |first1=Melissa |title=Canada earns spot in Olympics as Pavan, Humana-Paredes take beach volleyball gold |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/volleyball/fivb-beach-volleyball-world-championships-recap-final-1.5202620 |access-date=7 July 2019 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC Sports |date=6 July 2019}} They achieved further success on the FIVB tour that summer with additional tournament wins at the Edmonton Open in late July,{{cite news |title=Canadians Melissa Humana Paredes, Sarah Pavan win major beach volleyball event in Edmonton |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5665259/canadians-win-edmonton-open-beach-volleyball/ |access-date=21 February 2020 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=Global News |date=21 July 2019}} and at the Vienna Major in early August.{{cite news |title=Golden again: Sarah Pavan, Melissa Humana-Paredes top podium at Vienna Major |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/fivb-world-tour-vienna-humana-paredes-pavan-1.5236128 |access-date=21 February 2020 |agency=CBC |publisher=CBC Sports |date=6 July 2019}} These FIVB tour wins were followed by success on the AVP tour, with additional championship wins over Ross and Klineman at both the Manhattan Beach Open in mid-August{{cite news |last1=Zupke |first1=Curtis |title=Canadian duo Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes take Manhattan Beach Open title |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-08-18/canadian-duo-sarah-pavan-and-melissa-humana-paredes-take-avp-manhattan-beach-open |access-date=21 February 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 August 2019}} and the Hawaii Open in late September.{{cite news |last1=Mewhirter |first1=Travis |title=AVP Hawai'i: Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan have earned their Mai Tais |url=https://volleyballmag.com/avp-hawaii-women-092319/ |access-date=21 February 2020 |publisher=VolleyballMag.com |date=23 September 2019}}

Humana-Paredes and Pavan were named to the Canadian Olympic team for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which the COVID-19 pandemic caused to be delayed until 2021. The two went undefeated during pool play, winning every set. Entering the knockout rounds as the top seed, they defeated Spaniards Liliana/Baquerizo in the Round of 16.{{cite news |title=Canadian beach volleyballers Pavan, Humana-Paredes remain perfect, advance to quarters |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/canadians-pavan-humana-paredes-advance-quarter-finals-tokyo-olympics-1.6126480 |access-date=2 August 2021 |agency=CBC |publisher=CBC Sports |date=2 August 2021}} In the quarterfinal, a rematch of the Commonwealth Games final with Australians Clancy/Artacho del Solar, they lost two sets to one and were eliminated from the tournament.{{cite news |title=Canada's Pavan, Humana-Paredes eliminated in Olympic beach volleyball quarter-finals

|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/canada-beach-volleyball-pavan-humana-paredes-bansley-wilkerson-quarter-finals-1.6127074 |access-date=3 August 2021 |agency=CBC |publisher=CBC Sports |date=3 August 2021}}

In what would prove to be their final competition together, Humana-Paredes/Pavan were for a second time part of Canada's Commonwealth Games team, this time for the 2022 edition in Birmingham. They reached the tournament final for a second consecutive time, once again competing against Clancy/Artacho del Solar. In a three-set match, they defeated the Australians to successfully defend their title.{{cite news |title=2022 Commonwealth Games: Canada adds seven medals, four golds on Day 10 |url=https://olympic.ca/2022/08/07/2022-commonwealth-games-canada-adds-seven-medals-four-golds-on-day-10/ |last=Faria |first=Chris |publisher=Canadian Olympic Committee |date= August 7, 2022 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} At the end of the same month, they announced the end of their partnership, saying they had "decided it is time to explore new options in our athletic careers separately."{{cite news |title=Former world champion duo Pavan, Humana-Paredes ending beach volleyball partnership |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/pavan-humana-paredes-beach-volleyball-partnership-1.6566665 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= August 30, 2022 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }}

File:CircuitoMundialdeVoleiDePraia_brasilia2024.jpg in 2024.]]

On November 1, 2022, Humana-Paredes announced that she had formed a new partnership with Brandie Wilkerson, a former teammate during her time playing indoor volleyball at York University. She explained: "I think since our university days we both envisioned playing together at some point in our careers - we just weren't sure when that would happen. This time just seems right in both our personal and athletic lives."{{cite news |title=New teams ensure Canada remain a force on the sand |url=https://en.volleyballworld.com/beachvolleyball/competitions/beach-pro-tour-2022/news/new-teams-ensure-canada-to-remain-a-force |website=Volleyball World |date= November 1, 2022 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} The new team enjoyed success, appearing in ten tournaments in 2023 with no placement lower than fifth.{{cite news |title=Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson reunite for shot at Olympic beach volleyball glory |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/humana-paredes-wilkerson-reunite-for-shot-at-olympic-beach-volleyball-glory/ |last=Koreen |first=Mike |publisher=Sportsnet |date= July 17, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} At the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championships in early October, the duo won five consecutive matches without conceding a set, but were eliminated in the quarter-final by Clancy/Artacho del Solar.{{cite news |title=Canadian beach volleyball duo Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson ousted in quarterfinals at worlds |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/2023-beach-volleyball-world-championships-recap-oct-13-1.6994929 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= October 13, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} They then joined Canada's Pan American Games delegation for the 2023 edition in Santiago. Despite its proximity to the world championship, Humana-Paredes cited her Chilean heritage as a reason to attend, never having competed in Chile previously. They served as Canada's co-flagbearers in the opening ceremony, and reached the tournament final, losing to Brazil's Ramos/Lisboa.{{cite news |title=Beach volleyball duo, flag-bearers Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson earn Pan Am Games silver |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-beach-volleyball-duo-flag-bearers-humana-paredes-wilkerson-earn-pan-am/ |last=Spencer |first=Donna |newspaper=The Globe & Mail |date= October 27, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }}

In June 2024, Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson were officially named to the Canadian team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Of this she said: "When we got together, our goals were clear: making history in Paris."{{cite news |title=Humana-Paredes, Wilkerson officially named to Canada's Olympic beach volleyball team |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/humana-paredes-wilkerson-beach-volleyball-archery-gymnastics-olympics-1.7249859 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= June 28, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} The Olympic tournament began poorly for the team, who lost their first two games in pool play, and reached the knockout stage only via winning a lucky loser playoff against Czechs Hermannová/Štochlová.{{cite news |title=Canada's Wilkerson, Humana-Paredes clinch knockout round spot with lucky loser win |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/paris-olympics-day-8-roundup-1.7284752 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= August 3, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} Humana-Paredes/Wilkerson then managed an upset victory over Nuss/Kloth of the United States in the round of 16, winning two sets to zero,{{cite news |title=Canada's Wilkerson, Humana-Paredes upset U.S. to reach Olympic beach volleyball quarterfinals |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/canada-wilkerson-humana-paredes-olympic-round-of-16-1.7285653 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= August 5, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }}{{cite news |title=Huge upset win sends Humana-Paredes & Wilkerson to beach volleyball quarterfinals |url=https://olympic.ca/2024/08/05/canada-upset-win-to-advance-to-beach-volleyball-quarter-final/ |last=Edeh |first=Rosey |publisher=Canadian Olympic Committee |date= August 5, 2022 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} before managing the same against Spaniards Álvarez Mendoza/Moreno in the quarter-final. They became the first Canadian team to reach the semi-finals of an Olympic women's volleyball tournament.{{cite news |title=Paris Olympics: Canada's Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson top Spain in women's beach volleyball quarter-final |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-paris-olympics-canadas-humana-paredes-and-wilkerson-top-spain-in/ |last=Robertson |first=Grant |newspaper=The Globe & Mail |date= August 7, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} Facing the Swiss team Hüberli/Betschart, who had to that point not lost a single set in the tournament, Humana-Paredes/Wilkerson were on the verge of elimination at the end of the second set, but successfully forced a tiebreaker round and won, qualifying for the championship match against Ramos/Lisboa.{{cite news |title=Canada's Wilkerson, Humana-Paredes rally to win spot in Olympic beach volleyball final |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/canada-wilkerson-humana-paredes-olympic-semifinals-1.7287911 |last=Strong |first=Gregory |publisher=CBC Sports |date= August 8, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }} The championship match went to three sets, a first in Olympic women's beach volleyball, before the Brazilians prevailed. Humana-Paredes and Wilkerson took the silver medal.{{cite news |title=Canada's Wilkerson, Humana-Paredes earn silver after falling in women's beach volleyball title game |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/volleyball/beach/canada-wilkerson-humana-paredes-olympic-medal-round-1.7288703 |publisher=CBC Sports |date= August 9, 2024 |access-date=August 9, 2024 }} Humana-Parades' father Hernán said that he felt their victory would have an "even bigger" impact on the sport in Canada than the bronze medal team he had coached in 1996.{{cite news |title=Canadian duo bested by Brazil in gold-medal match for women's beach volleyball |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-canadian-duo-bested-by-brazil-in-gold-medal-match-for-womens-beach/ |last=Robertson |first=Grant |newspaper=The Globe & Mail |date= August 9, 2024 |access-date=August 9, 2024 }}

• Champion, 2019 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships - Hamburg (representing Canada, with Sarah Pavan)
• Champion, 2019 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Winner (representing Canada, with Sarah Pavan)
• FIVB Team of the Year 2019 (with Sarah Pavan)
• FIVB Best Defensive Player, 2019
• FIVB Best Setter, 2018 & 2019
• AVP Best Defensive Player, 2019
• AVP Newcomer of the Year, 2019
• FIVB Most Improved Player, 2017
• FIVB Top Rookie, 2014

• 2012-13 OUA First-Team All-star
• 2011-12 OUA First-Team All-star
• 2011-12 CIS Second Team All-Canadian
• 2012 York Lions Female Athlete of the Year{{Cite news|url=https://yorkulions.ca/sports/2014/6/23/HT_0623145158.aspx?id=274|title= 2011-12 York Award Winners|website=yorkulions.ca|access-date=2021-06-15|language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• {{AVP player|melissa-humana-paredes}}
• {{Volleyball Canada|melissa-humana-paredes}}
• {{sports links}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagathlete|Larissa França and
Talita Antunes | BRA}}

| title = Women's FIVB Beach World Tour Winner
alongside {{flagicon|CAN}} Sarah Pavan

| years = 2019

| after = {{flagathlete|Ágatha Bednarczuk and
Eduarda Lisboa | BRA}} }}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagathlete|Laura Ludwig and
Kira Walkenhorst | GER}}

| title = FIVB Beach Volleyball World Champions
alongside {{flagicon|CAN}} Sarah Pavan

| years = 2019

| after = {{flagathlete|Eduarda Santos Lisboa and
Ana Patrícia Ramos | BRA}} }}

{{s-ach|aw}}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagathlete|Heather Bansley | CAN}}

| title = Women's FIVB World Tour "Best Defensive Player"

| years = 2019

| after = Discontinued }}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagathlete|Larissa França | BRA}}

| title = Women's FIVB World Tour "Best Setter"

| years = 2019

| after = Discontinued }}

{{Succession box

| before = Sara Hughes

| title = Women's AVP Tour "Best Defensive Player"

| years = 2019

| after = Discontinued }}

{{Succession box

| before = Maria Clara Salgado

| title = Women's AVP Tour "Newcomer of the Year"

| years = 2019

| after = Discontinued }}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagathlete|Joana Heidrich | SUI}}

| title = Women's FIVB World Tour "Most Improved Player"

| years = 2017

| after = {{flagathlete|Mariafe Artacho del Solar | AUS}} }}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagathlete|Kira Walkenhorst | GER}}

| title = Women's FIVB World Tour "Top Rookie"

| years = 2014

| after = {{flagathlete|Taru Lahti | FIN}} }}

{{s-end}}

{{Footer World Champions Beach Volleyball Women}}

{{Footer Commonwealth Champions Beach Volleyball Women}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Humana-Paredes, Melissa}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian women's beach volleyball players

Category:Beach volleyball defenders

Category:Olympic beach volleyball players for Canada

Category:Beach volleyball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Pan American Games volleyball players for Canada

Category:Beach volleyball players at the 2015 Pan American Games

Category:Beach volleyball players at the 2023 Pan American Games

Category:Medalists at the 2023 Pan American Games

Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for Canada

Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Canada

Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in beach volleyball

Category:Beach volleyball players at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Beach volleyball players at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:Medallists at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Medallists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Category:York University alumni

Category:York Lions volleyball players

Category:Volleyball players from Toronto

Category:Canadian people of Chilean descent

Category:Sportspeople of Chilean descent

Category:FIVB World Tour award winners

Category:Beach volleyball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic silver medalists for Canada

Category:Olympic medalists in beach volleyball

Category:21st-century Canadian sportswomen