New Champions Crowned at PPA National Championships
February 27, 2023 | Score Pickelball
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA – Despite the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, the nation’s top pickleball players came together for a thrilling competition at the Professional Pickleball Association’s Vulcan Indoor National Championships at Life Time Fitness in Lakeville, Minnesota. The event showcased the dedication and adaptability of the players as they battled through the unique challenges of indoor pickleball.
The tournament saw an impressively competitive field, with Catherine Parenteau and James Ignatowich emerging as the standout performers. Parenteau and Ignatowich won singles and mixed doubles gold, taking advantage of the absence of the dominant Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters to secure the double crown.
Federico Staksrud was fresh off his win at the Carvana Arizona Grand Slam, and was expected to continue his winning streak. The battle to earn a berth into the men’s singles title was nail-biting, with JW Johnson beating Staksrud by the slimmest of margins, 14-12, 12-14, 11-9, interrupting Staksrud’s three consecutive Championship Sundays.
Photo sourced from PPA Instagram Account
James Ignatowich dominated training partner and trash-talk rival JW Johnson in straight games 11-1, 11-8 to earn the gold despite JW defeating the defending PPA singles champion the round prior.
In women’s singles, with Anna Leigh Waters absent, Lea Jansen was the frontrunner to take the gold, having medaled in seven straight events. She faced off against former partner Catherine Parenteau. An absolute blood bath of a women’s singles final ended by a remarkable 11-0 run in the 3rd game. Parenteau emerged as the Women’s Singles champion 2-11, 11-6, 11-5.
Riley Newman and Anna Bright aimed to secure their second consecutive win as partners. However, it was the singles champions Catherine Parenteau & James Ignatowich who came out victorious and took the crown in mixed doubles, too.
One of either Riley Newman or Ben Johns have been on the winning men’s doubles team in the past 23 events, dating back to October 2021. With Ben Johns not competing, it was up to Newman to keep the streak alive. That streak ended on Saturday afternoon at the hands of JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier in a tough battle. On Sunday Johnson and Frazier took the gold, which marks the first ever professional pickleball gold medal for Frazier. We expect plenty more in his future.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, defending champions Callie Smith and Lucy Kovalova secured their first win of 2023 in a thrilling match that lasted over two hours.
While the absence of some top players due to travel difficulties and injuries was unfortunate, the tournament nonetheless demonstrated the strength and depth of talent of professional pickleball. With the sport’s growing popularity and the continued success of events like the Vulcan Indoor National Championships, the future of pickleball looks brighter than ever.
The event was held at Life Time Fitness, the largest operator of pickleball courts in the country, offering state-of-the-art facilities for players and spectators alike. Despite the harsh winter travel conditions, the players showcased their skill and athleticism, providing an immersive experience for all involved.
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