The Israeli pickleball team has made a splash on the global stage in its first international tournament, winning one gold and two silver medals at the recent Pickleball World Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
There were some nerves before the event, as Israel’s fledgling national team wondered if it belonged among the world’s best. But those doubts were quickly dispelled as the Israeli players proved their mettle.
Team Israel captain Adam Bachmann earned Israel’s first medal, a silver, in the Over-35 Men’s Singles (DUPR 4.5+). DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the international standard for ranking players in the fast-growing sport.
In the U35 Mixed Doubles 4.5 category, Yaniv Semo and Adi Berman combined to win another silver. Berman then went one better, claiming Israel’s first international gold medal in the Over-35 Women’s Singles.
Israel’s senior team (over 50) made it to the quarter finals undefeated, losing to the United States, which went on to win the competition.
Team Israel also made headlines in the team event by upsetting defending champions Puerto Rico in a thrilling seven-game showdown that came down to a tiebreaker. Although Israel didn’t advance further in the group stage because of a point differential (tying 2 to 1 against Lithuania and Puerto Rico), its performance earned admiration from spectators and competitors alike.
“It’s one of the Cinderella stories of the tournament,” national coach David Abel told JNS. “The whole experience has been completely electrifying. So many countries, so many delegations, so much support. There were so many who supported us so strongly and so beautifully.”
More than 3,500 players from 68 countries flew in to compete in the weeklong tournament, which ended on Sunday at The Fort, a new pickleball complex in Snyder Park near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Players ranged in age from 13 to senior citizens.
While pickleball is still in its infancy in the Jewish state, Team Israel’s World Cup success is a sign that Pickleball Israel is heading in a positive direction. “An unforgettable debut filled with passion, sportsmanship and pride,” it said in a press release. “Team Israel returns home with medals, memories and momentum for the future.”
