Richmond is host to a unique claim to fame - a family of eight that has multiple members rapidly climbing squash ranks.
Odds look good that at least three of the six Toth family will end the upcoming squash season as national and consecutive B.C. champions.
"We're making history right here in Richmond," said Shakiru Matti, who coaches the family out of the Sport Central squash academy. "In the same family, we have three kids who have won multiple championships. They've achieved this by putting in a lot of work."
Alex, 15, is currently ranked number one for her age group in Canada. Andrea, 11, has won provincial championships four times in her divisions and is expected to rank number one in Canada this season. And Matthew, 13, is a two-time provincial champion and is also expected to rank number one.
Matthew and Alex will be playing as professionals in Mens Division 1 for the first time this year. The other siblings are also making great achievements in their age categories.
Indeed, the Toth children's introduction to squash was an early one. Their proud dad, Patrick, a former recreational player, began playing with his kids once a week when they were barely old enough to hold a racquet. Now, the six children, Anna, Alex, Matthew, Andrea, James and Jojo, excel.
"It's a little scary, but it's just something we decided to do because it's character-building," he said.
Their parents did not push them to take on the sport seriously, instead intending to give them an extracurricular opportunity that was feasible for a busy couple.
And as their skills grew, so did the economic sacrifice: fees for daily coaching, summer training camps, and a weekly personal trainer stacked up.
Coaching lessons began after Toth senior rounded up the gang to watch a provincial tournament, where they witnessed the fervour of local pro players.
"They started to improve, and (Matti) had a way of enchanting them with the game," he said.
Meanwhile, with knowledge of the sport still low, the kids struggle to get any recognition of their achievements from classmates.
"Most of them don't know it so I have to explain it," said Alex. "If they came and watched me, I think their view would be different."
According to Sport Central's general manager Bobby Toor, Richmond has never had a national champion in single's squash.
"Here we have three which are pretty much guaranteed, which is incredible," said Toor.
