Vietnamese Athletes Shine at World Pickleball Championship Series in Bali

In an exciting display of skill and determination, Vietnamese athletes claimed three prestigious titles at the World Pickleball Championship Series in Bali, Indonesia, showcasing the nation's growing prowess in this dynamic sport.

Rising star Sophia Trần Phương Anh, just 16 years old, partnered with Nathan Willis to capture gold in the mixed doubles 4.5 over-19 category. The duo demonstrated remarkable endurance and skill, powering through nine matches in a single day before defeating Philippines' Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Davis Alano with a convincing 21-14 score. Anh's journey is particularly inspiring - a former tennis player who found her calling in pickleball after a shoulder injury, she now sets her sights on competing in the elite Pro Tour of Pickleball events.

(Photo Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/co-gai-viet-nam-16-tuoi-tiet-lo-bi-quyet-gianh-4-hcv-pickleball-the-gioi-20241004172925423.htm)

The championship also saw an impressive performance from the Lý brothers, Minh Triết and Minh Tân, who dominated the Open 50+ category. Their path to victory included a stunning upset over Asia's highest-ranked player, Jih Shian Yeo of Singapore, and his partner Yeong Ding Hwang from Chinese Taipei, with a decisive 21-12 win in the finals.

"We proved that Việt Nam is a tough rival here as we beat all opponents with high scores," shared Triết, attributing their success to the "quick and skillful reflexes of Vietnamese people." This victory marks their second world title, adding to their previous triumph in the over-30 Open category.

(Photo Source: https://www.vietnam.vn/fr/tay-vot-ly-minh-tan-gia-nhap-facolos-global-team-de-phat-trien-su-nghiep-pickleball/#gsc.tab=0)

Vietnam's medal haul didn't stop there, with silver medals secured in both the 4.5 over-19 category by Lê Minh and Lê Thọ, and the 4.5 over-35 category by Nguyễn Minh Thảo.

The championship, running from September 24-30, features a substantial prize purse of US$100,000 and welcomes players across various age groups (19+, 35+, 50+, and 60+) and skill levels (3.5, 4.5, and 5.0+). As part of a 12-stop series, the tournament will next move to India in October.

(Photo Source: https://www.vietnam.vn/en/thu-vi-2-lao-tuong-cua-viet-nam-vo-dich-giai-pickleball-the-gioi/)

Players competing at the highest skill level (5.0) are earning valuable ranking points toward the "RACE TO CARMELINA," with the top 20 players/teams qualifying for the WPC FINALS. The finals will bring the excitement back to Vietnamese soil, taking place at the Carmelina Beach Resort in Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu from January 14-19, 2025, promising another spectacular showcase of pickleball talent in Southeast Asia.

This strong showing by Vietnamese athletes not only highlights the country's emerging talent pool but also signals pickleball's growing popularity across Asia, setting the stage for even more thrilling competitions to come!