Argentina Makes Strong Debut in Pickleball World Cup

The Argentine delegation made up of Carolina Eiras, Rocio Zavalia, Agustín Blaquier, Tomas Michael, Tomas Ramirez and Franco Ognio.

The Velodrome of the National Sports Village in Lima, Peru, became the epicenter of the first pickleball World Cup. From Thursday, November 9 to Sunday, November 12, 14 countries, including Argentina, competed in this tournament that marks a milestone in the brief history of this discipline.

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Originating in the United States, pickleball is a mix of tennis, paddle tennis, badminton and ping pong. With a smaller court than tennis and unique rules, the game has conquered Latin America and has reached Argentina in recent years. This game allows people of all ages and abilities to participate.

The modern track cycling headquarters at the 2019 Pan American Games was the setting that hosted 14 delegations (Argentina, United States, Puerto Rico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Venezuela and Canada), and more than 200 athletes in its international premiere.

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The tournament covered men’s, women’s and mixed doubles categories. With 3 groups in the initial phase, the top 2 in each group advanced to the playoffs. The top 2 teams went directly to the semi-finals. All matches were played to 1 set to 15 points under the rally scoring system.

What does rally scoring mean? One point is scored on each play, regardless of who served (except the final point, which can only be earned by serving).

Carolina Eiras and Agustín Blaquier, one of the mixed doubles couples that represented the country

If there is a tie, it is defined in a singles match.

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Argentina performed with Carolina Eiras, Rocio Zavalia, Agustín Blaquier, Tomas Michael, Tomas Ramirez and Franco Ognio.

Although the United States is the dominant power in pickleball, Argentina was part of Group B along with Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Colombia. The National Team faced a challenge in its World Cup debut, and could not advance in category as it fell to Peru, who would later become the champion of the tournament.

But the call had good news for Argentine athletes. During the parallel tournament that took place in Peru for professional players on the world pickleball circuit, Argentina won the gold medal in women’s singles for Rocío Zavalia, a silver medal in women’s singles for Carolina Eiras and a bronze medal in doubles female.

Tomas Ramirez, with some fans who asked for his autograph

Although the most notable tournaments are in the United States with the MLP and the PPA, more and more countries are joining the fever of this new sport. Examples are the Official Peru Pickleball Tournament and the first edition of the World Cup, which demonstrate its global expansion.

With the Argentine Pickleball Association created a year and a half ago, Argentina is preparing to take the sport of pickleball to new professional horizons. As the sport gains popularity in the country, participation in global and regional tournaments such as the World Cup sounds promising.

The creation of courts in different regions of the country reflects the rapid growth of the sport. With more than 70 courts already available in Capital Federal, the South of the province of Buenos Aires, Córdoba and under construction in Neuquén, the Pickleball community in Argentina is thriving.

Tomas Michael warming up before participating in his first match at the World Cup

In Argentina, local and regional tournaments are being developed that allow players to add points in the MyDUPR ranking. Beyond the quick elimination in Peru, the albiceleste participants added experience for a sport that is growing in the country.

2023-11-13 23:16:27
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