Josh Binstock

Biography

Since teaming up in 2013, Josh Binstock and Sam Schachter have stood on the podium at four FIVB World Tour events, highlighted by a gold medal at the 2014 Parana Open. In 2015 they finished second at the Major Series tournament in Porec, Croatia, earning their largest single prize payout. It was the first time a Canadian men’s team had reached the podium in a major FIVB World Tour event since 1997. They posted their best result in a Grand Slam event when they finished fourth in Sao Paulo in 2014. Binstock and Schachter made their FIVB World Championship debuts in 2015 where they finished ninth as Canada’s top-ranked men’s team. Wanting to experience a multi-sport Games atmosphere, especially the added attention and distractions, as well the chance to inspire younger players, they decided to compete at their first Pan Am Games on home sand in Toronto. During the 2015-16 off-season, Binstock dealt with a significant abdominal tear. Recovered with the help of medical treatment and rehab exercises as well as mental positivity, the team posted two fifth place finishes on the 2016 FIVB World Tour before finishing second at the Cincinnati Open in May. They went on to compete at Rio 2016. Binstock had made his Olympic debut at London 2012 alongside Martin Reader. The duo finished in 17^th place after posting a 1-2 record in pool play. In 2001 Binstock won a silver medal at the Canada Games. He is also a three-time national champion, most recently in 2014 with Schachter.  Binstock has represented Canada three times at the Maccabiah Games, including in 2013 when he served as Canadian flag bearer.

Getting to know…

Family: Parents Howard and Suzanne… Siblings Aaron, Michelle and Todd… Getting into the Sport: Started playing volleyball at age 17 and became a member of the national junior indoor team… Began competing on the beach circuit during his off-season from the University of Toronto when he was 23… Likes that the beach game is more difficult to be successful in and more cognitive… Outside Interests: Graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education in 2004… Earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2009… Enjoys reading books and listening to podcasts about how to broaden consciousness and the power of the mind… Odds and Ends: Nickname: Binner… His supporters often wear shirts that say “Binners’s Beauties”… Favourite motto: “For me winning isn’t something that happens on the court when the whistle blows and the crowd roars. Winning is something that builds physically and mentally when you train everyday and dream every night.”