Simon Proffitt and Sarah Howell won gold in ‘The end of 2024 Pickleball event’ held at David Lloyd Southampton last weekend.
They competed in the over 50 mixed doubles 4.5 event , which attracted in excess of 500 competitors over the weekend, resulting in a high standard of play.
Beat the favourites
With nine teams in their group, and played on a round robin basis with all play all, Simon and Sarah made the semi- final playoff, where they convincingly beat the pair who were the favourites in the group round, Kat Jelly and Stephen Lucas 11-5.
In the final, which was best of three games, they beat Phil Hoad and Anna Prestwich, 11-3, 11-5.
“An intensive competition”
Simon said,
“This win is particularly poignant for me as it was an intensive competition and my fitness level has not recovered from having radiotherapy for prostate cancer, so i was extremely pleased with our performance.”
This is Sarah’s third gold medal this season from recent mixed and womens doubles successes in the English Nationals and pre European tournaments.
Both players play regularly at West Wight Sports Centre.
News shared by Paul Blackley, in his own words, Ed
