India has etched its name in pickleball history as the country clinched 10 medals in the recently concluded American pickleball championships. The competition was held in Florida from April 14 to 20 and saw participation from over 3000 players coming from 20 countries. India’s ten medals included three gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
Bhasin won a total of four medals, including silver in men’s doubles 5.0 and bronze medals in junior men’s doubles and junior mixed doubles. Ronav Motwani won a bronze medal in the junior men’s doubles and two silver medals in the men’s doubles 5.0 and junior singles.
In men’s singles 5.0, Himanshu Devaskar took India’s medal tally into double figures with a bronze. Harsh Mehta and Aman Bhatia finished fifth in men’s professional doubles.
Pickleball is gaining popularity worldwide
Pickleball is a sport similar to tennis and badminton. It is played on a badminton-like court and players hold a table tennis-like paddle with which to hit a plastic ball with holes. Players volley the ball over the net and aim to score points by forcing opponents to land the ball within their own court. The rules are a lot similar to other racket sport, but it is the racket and the ball that separates it from the others.
India’s triumph at the US Open Championships is a great boost for the sport as the competition is one of the most prestigious ones for Pickleballers around the world.
