Paul Brady advanced to his fourth consecutive Race final

February 16, 2015

World handball champion Paul Brady

Paul Brady advanced to his fourth consecutive Race final during the R48 IV season and eight final in nine Race starts. Brady would come within one Race victory of tying Luis Moreno for most Race wins (nine) with a victory over his frequent adversary Emmett Peixoto. Peixoto advanced to his first final of the R48 IV season and second final in 21 Race starts. Peixoto amassed more experience playing Paul Brady over the past 12 months than any other player, challenging "The Gunner" for the fifth time since the R48 III at the New York Athletic Club in March of 2014.

Paul Brady attacked Peixoto early in game one, quickly seizing a 10-2 lead with a nearly unreturnable serve and flat kills. Peixoto methodically slowed down The Gunner," utilizing a lob serve, timeouts, toweling the floor, injury timeouts and instant replays. The extended breaks appeared to temporarily help Peixoto, as he scored five consecutive points to climb back into the first game. Brady regrouped, emphatically scoring the frame's final five points to claim the one-game advantage.

Game two was closer in the early stages, as Peixoto worked his way into rallies and took advantage of his offensive opportunities. Peixoto appeared to be fatigued midway through game two, failing to let the ball drop and not moving his feet behind the ball, resulting in several errors and the inability to convert offensive chances. Despite battling fatigue and the world's greatest player, Peixoto struck a completely flat left-handed back wall kill that ignited "Peixoto's Army" and cut Brady's game two lead to 12-10. Undeterred, Brady would complete his fourth victory in four R48 IV starts and eighth Race victory in nine career Race starts by scoring the game's final three points.

"I just try to stay focused on the ball and not allow anything to distract me," declared Brady after his 15-7, 15-10 victory over Peixoto. "I've seen it all and I just focus on what I'm trying to do. I'll take a little time off between now and New York and be ready for the next stop."

Brady is aiming for the first undefeated on the Race 4 Eight tour and needs victories in New York and Salt Lake City to complete the perfect season.


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