Jackie Paraiso

Jackie (Jacqueline) Paraiso (born September 14, 1966) is an American racquetball player. Paraiso was the #1 player on the women's pro racquetball tour at the end of the 1991–92, 1998–99, and 1999-2000 seasons. She is a seven time World Champion in women's doubles, which are more World Championships than any other player.

Professional career Paraiso finished in the top 10 at season's end on the women's pro tour 16 times between 1986–87 and 2003–04, including her three #1 finishes. Paraiso's best pro season was 1998-99, when she was in the finals of all seven events, winning six of them, including the 1998 US Open Racquetball Championships beating Christie Van Hees in three straight games, to finish at #1. That success carried over to the 1999-2000 season, when Paraiso won four of the five tournaments and a second US Open and again was #1 at season's end.

International career Paraiso has made more appearances on Team USA than any other racquetball player - man or woman - with 25 appearances over 20 years. The first was at the 1990 World Championships playing doubles with Malia Bailey, and last at the 2010 World Championships again in doubles (with Aimee Ruiz).

Paraiso's seven World Championships are more titles than any other racquetball player. Her first Worlds title came against Canadians Josée Grand'Maître and Vicky Brown in 1990, when Paraiso and Malia Bailey won 15-13, 15-8, and her last title was also against Canada, as she and Aimee Ruiz defeated Canadians Véronique Guillemette and Geneviève Brodeur, 15-8, 15-6, in 2008. In between, she won three straight World Championships in 1994, 1996, and 1998. Laura Fenton was Paraiso's partner in 1994, when they beat Vicky Shanks and Debbie Ward of Canada, 15-9, 15-7. and at the 2010 World Championships, when she and Ruiz lost to Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas also in a tie-breaker, 15-13, 13-15, 11-9.

USA championships Paraiso has won 14 U.S. doubles women's titles. Three of those titles were with sister Joy (in 1994, 1997 & 1998), five with Aimee Ruiz (2007–2011), three with Kim Russell (2002–2004), two with Michelle Gould (née Gilman) (1990 & 1991), and one with Laura Fenton (2000).

Paraiso's also won four mixed doubles titles with Jimmy Lowe (in 1997), Rocky Carson (1998), twice with Joe Paraiso, in 1996 and 1999, and with Tony Carson in 2011.

Personal life

She is married to Michael Larsson, and has two daughters and three grandsons.

Paraiso was inducted into the Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2009.