CHA’S Hall of Fame

Denis Gingras

(Inducted in 2021)

Athlete

Denis has been involved in handball for over 40 years as a high level player and has also dedicated his time taking responsibilities within BALLE AU MUR QUEBEC for many years. Denis started his career at age 17, long hair falling down his shoulders with an attitude. He was so skinny he looked like a T-shirt hanger. He was playing handball at the CEGEP in Ste-Foy on courts of 18 feet by 16 feet with a ceiling 15 feet high. The name of the game was simple: serve and kill the ball. Several years later (Edmonton 2006), Denis won the world title in the Veterans Singles Division  usibg the same strategy. Before being recognized at the world level, Denis “Toto” Gingras demonstrated his excellence in numerous tournaments winning here and there national, provincial and open championships in Canada and the United States either in singles or in doubles events. Living in the shadow of Danny Bell, his training partner, Denis was for many years Quebec’s best well-kept secret. Low profiled, consistent, disciplined and in great physical shape despite being taken out of the game due to a serious back injury. He returned to the game to achieve the best performances of his life as an athlete. Note that until the end of his forties he still participated in the open events of tournaments and outweighed very good players half his age. Denis is an asset to handball on and off the court. Denis also has been instrumental in organizing tournaments and is considered as a high level referee. He has been involved in coaching junior players and supporting them in competitions. Denis is a very good example of the amateur part of handball by giving more to a sport than receiving from it. On top of that Lucie Gauthier, his long-term partner in life, is also a fair level of handball player.In conclusion Denis truly deserves this nomination to the Hall-Of-Fame. Congratulations from all Quebec players.

Here is a short list of his handball performances:

World Championships:

• 2006 Men Veterans Singles – Champion (Edmonton, Alberta)
• 2009 45+ Singles – Finalist (Portland, Oregon)

Canadian Championships:

• 1988 Open Doubles – Finalist (Edmonton, Alberta)
• 1989 Open Doubles – Champion (Regina, Saskatchewan)
• 2007 Senior Doubles – Finalist (Montreal, Quebec), 2008 Senior Singles – Finalist (Calgary, Alberta)
• 2009 Senior Singles – Finalist (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• 2010 Masters Singles – Champion (Burlington, Ontario)
• 2013 Masters Singles – Finalist (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• 2019 Master Doubles – Champion (Laval, Quebec)

Other tournaments:

• 1985 Maritimes Open, Open Singles – Champion (St-John, New-Brunswick)
• 1989 Manitoba Open, Open Singles – Finalist (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• 1990 Manitoba Open, Open Doubles – Champion (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• 1991 Quebec Open- Open Doubles – Champion (Quebec, QC)
• 2001 Albany Open Master Singles – Finalist (Colony, New-York)
• 2002 Boston Open – Open Singles – Champion (Boston, Mass.)
• 2003 Albany Open – Open Singles – Finalist (Colony, New-York)
• 2018 Albany Open – Masters Singles – Champion (Colony, New-York)

Danny Bell

(Inducted in 2014)

Athlete

The best ever Canadian Handball player has been recently inducted into the Canadian Handball Hall of Fame. During the last Nationals banquet on May 17th, Danny Bell has been honoured by the C.H.A. in the presence of his family and his friends for his glorious career.

He was just 12 years old when he played in his first Nationals in St.John’s, New-Brunswick. Forty years later, he made the semis in this year Canadian Open and he made the final in the Canadian Closed. He has been twelve times Canadian Champion, once a Pro-Stop winner in Atlanta and twice World Champion in doubles. He did that with dedication to his sport and because of his skills and ability, his anticipation, his quickness. All over the world where he played, he has been appreciated for his sportsmanship, his fair play. He has always been a top ambassador for Quebec and Canada.

Danny has always recognized the support of his trainers and his partners. For decades, he has been a role model for lot of young handball players who were anxiously expecting to beat him once in the court.

For every Quebec Handball player, Danny has been and still is our forever champion. He his now part of the legend.

Congratulations Danny!

Marcel Ponton

(Inducted in 2009)

Athlete

Marcel Ponton, born February 1st, 1932, is a living legend in the Province of Quebec.

Totally dedicated to handball for more than 45 years and recognized as a great athlete in many sports. Marcel has played at a high level of competition in golf, table tennis, badminton and amateur wrestling.

As well as being a handball champion, he brought to the perfect game a gentleman’s approach in the 50’s and 60’s . His attitude in and off the court has been a model for many. He was the first handball player in the province to travel abroad to challenge players from other provinces and the US. He dominated the handball scene for many years in singles and doubles. His creativity brought a new approach to the game. Marcel was much like a Stuffy Singer, who made a profound effect on handball in the province. He has been a great ambassador to handball and surely deserves a place in the CHA Hall of Fame. He was ahead of his time in travelling extensively to improve and experiment with his game. On his return to the province, he would share his experiences with his fellow handballers and encourage them to travel and expand their games.

• 12 time Open Singles Quebec Champion.
• 10 time Open Doubles Provincial Champion with Andre Lortie.
• 1976 Quebec Open Singles Champion over Alphonse Brisindi.
• 1979 Canadian Open Masters Singles Champion over Dinty Moor.

Congratulations Marcel !