Trio Compete At US Pickleball Tournament
Three Bermudians are proudly representing the island at the USA Pickleball National Championships in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gavin Manders, Benjamin Jones, and Sue Chiappa are competing at the tournament, which began on Saturday and continues through Sunday at the Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Chiappa is competing in the Mixed Doubles 3.5 category, while Manders and Jones will play in the Men’s Doubles 4.5+ division.
The trio earned their place in the championships by securing medals at the Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open in March.
At the Miami Open, Chiappa claimed gold by teaming up with California resident Massi Furlan to win the 3.5 level in the over-55 category.
Manders and Jones also shone in Miami, taking top honours in the 4.5+ division for the over-19 age group.
Both Manders and Jones recently competed at the Pickleball World Cup in Lima, Peru, where they won gold in the Men’s Doubles Skill [4.5+] Open in the pre-tournament event, adding another impressive accomplishment to their resumes.
Reflecting on the team’s recent experiences, Manders, the national director of the Pickleball Association Bermuda [PAB], said: “We’ve had some good international exposure recently and know each other well,” he said. “[Benjamin] was my tennis student for many years.”
Manders is optimistic yet realistic about their prospects in Arizona.
“We’re looking forward to another international experience,” he added.
“Hopefully, we’ll be in the mix. I have no gauge of where we can finish, but I know we deserve to be there.”
The first-ever National Pickleball Championships will be held at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium from November 18 to 22.
