Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes have more in common than just their passion for beach volleyball. Both athletes, who call Toronto home, share immigrant backgrounds that have shaped their lives and careers. Wilkerson moved to Canada from Switzerland at age 7, while Humana-Paredes is a first-generation Canadian with parents who emigrated from Chile.
On Thursday, 8 August, these two athletes made history by securing Canada’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s beach volleyball. Their victory in the semi-final at Paris 2024 guarantees them at least a silver medal, marking a monumental achievement for their adopted homeland.
“I think one of the biggest Canadian characteristics is grit, and we show that every chance that we can get,” Wilkerson said. “It’s an honor for us to represent those stories. It means so much for us to have every single person in Canada feel like they have a space in this sport.”
A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Wilkerson was born in Switzerland to a Swiss mother and an American father, a professional basketball player. When her family moved to Canada, she faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture and learning English. Humana-Paredes, born in Canada, also grew up navigating the complexities of immigrant life, often helping her Spanish-speaking parents with the English language. Her father, Hernan Humana, was a member of Chile’s national indoor volleyball team before moving to Canada.
The shared experiences of their immigrant families have been a source of strength for both athletes. Their backgrounds have fostered a deep bond that has helped them overcome challenges, including their hard-fought victory against Switzerland on Thursday.
“There are some similarities in our stories, and I think that’s what makes us really special,” Humana-Paredes reflected. “We know the tough things we’ve been through. There was a moment, there, when we looked at each other and we said, ‘I’m doing this for you.’ I think we do a lot for each other because we’ve been through this journey.”
Wilkerson added, “The relatability and understanding of our multicultural backgrounds, our language, food, culture, and family experiences, is something we really bond over.”
From University Teammates to Olympic Finalists
Wilkerson and Humana-Paredes met while studying communications at York University in Toronto. They were the only rookies on the volleyball team during the 2010-11 season and played together for four years. After graduation, they initially took separate paths, each competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with different partners, where both pairs reached the quarter-finals.
In October 2022, the duo reunited, forming a partnership that quickly found success. They debuted on the Beach Pro Tour four months later and won their first Elite 16 gold medal in Montreal by July. Their partnership culminated in a silver medal at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, where Humana-Paredes had the honor of carrying the Canadian flag at the Opening Ceremony.
Making Canadian History in Paris
Their journey reached a new peak in Paris, where they secured a spot in the Olympic final with a dramatic three-set victory over Switzerland. As they celebrated in front of the Eiffel Tower, holding the Canadian flag aloft, the significance of their achievement was not lost on them.
Wilkerson believes their immigrant backgrounds played a crucial role in their success. “I feel like I had the strength and power from generations of strong people who made tough decisions and turned difficult times into opportunities. That was another chance for me to do that on the beach volleyball court.”
The only previous time a Canadian beach volleyball team stood on the Olympic podium was in 1996, when John Child and Mark Heese won bronze under the coaching of Humana-Paredes’ father. On Friday, Hernan Humana could witness his daughter and her partner achieve an even greater milestone as they compete for gold against Brazil’s Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa.
“It feels incredible,” Humana-Paredes said of reaching the final. “It’s what we wanted and what we said we were going to do. To say that we have now made history and no one can take it away from us—it’s something we’ll have forever together.”
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