Earlier this month, a few dozen padel players representing the U.S. (and sponsored by Padel Haus, Padel LUX, and VanEck) traveled to the Delta Padel Club in stunning Camboriú, Brazil to compete in the Senior Panamericano Championships, where they did themselves and their country quite proud.
All matches were held at the enormous 12-court indoor venue, which players praised for its “impeccable lighting and exceptional service.” In a recap of the multi-country competition, the U.S. Padel Association (USPA) said that Delta Padel Club was, “a testament to the sport’s global surge in popularity” and “provided the perfect stage for the fierce competition that ensued.”
The USPA added, “As the players battled it out on these premier courts, the Delta Padel Club became a focal point for showcasing the skill, determination, and camaraderie that define the world of padel.”
While some of the U.S. players were able to train with their partners ahead of the competition, many played together for the first time during the tournament, which made the U.S. team’s fifth place finish (behind Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico) all the more impressive.
For early round play, pairs from each country grouped by age and level competed in a round-robin format and then the highest-placed pairs progressed to the knockout stage. Pairs earned points for their country based on the final standings from their respective divisions.
A huge number of U.S. players actually managed to progress beyond group play and into the quarter-finals, including: Nancy Dingwell, Mariana Talarico, Guillermo Pantano, Manuel Barrantes, Patrick Baer, Santiago Gomez, Maria Betania Dufur, Giualiana Barrera, Ariel Chafrelli, Eduardo Diverio, Cristina Rasvetaieff, Jennifer Demsey, Fernando Alarcon, Juan Arraya, Omar Herrera, Fernando Franco, Gabriel Iniests, and Lawrence Pascal.
The USPA noted that the stand-out performance on the men’s side came from Gabriel Arraiz and Radu Ionescu, who made it to the quarter-finals in a very strong Men’s 35 A division.
Meanwhile, Ana Magrini and Veronica Costabel performed extraordinarily well for the women’s team, winning through to the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champions from Argentina in a third-set super tiebreaker.
Despite facing intense competition, the U.S. players returned home with a renewed commitment to improvement and training to ensure they continue to grow stronger for future competitions.
In a statement, Nicolas Clerc expressed his optimism for the future of padel in the U.S., saying, “The U.S. Senior Padel team just nailed it in the 2023 Senior Pan-American games.
It was not just about the games. It [was] about becoming a family. We brought together top talents from all corners; you can feel the vibe; it was all cheers and high-fives. Even after matches, the support didn’t stop. Everyone was in it together. It didn’t matter if you knew each other or not. We all shared love for the game, padel, and our country.”
Julian Wortelboer, a long-time fixture in the world of U.S. padel, echoed these sentiments, saying, “The most special aspect of the experience was witnessing the camaraderie among players, the sheer determination displayed, and the moments of triumph and resilience that defined the Pan-American Games.
Events like these are pivotal for the future of the sport in the U.S., showcasing not only the exceptional talent but also inspiring more players and especially younger generations, fostering greater interest in the sport, and highlighting the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving athletic padel excellence.”
When asked what was the most memorable aspect of his time spent in Brazil, Wortelboer simply responded, “What made this experience truly remarkable was the convergence of talent, passion, and perseverance among players from diverse backgrounds across the Americas. Let’s go USA!”
Combine this impressive 5th place finish with the incredible, first-ever triumph of Team USA at the Pan Americano Libres Championship in Cancun, Mexico last month, and it’s beginning to look like padel’s future has never been brighter here in the U.S.
