CEREDIGION-based John Carvell and Gary Philpott claimed gold at the English Open Pickleball Championships at the NEC, Birmingham, by winning the Over-70 Men’s Doubles title.

The achievement was made even more remarkable as Philpott was drafted in as a late replacement for Carvell’s regular partner and was making his debut at this level of competition.

Despite the last-minute pairing, the duo quickly found their rhythm and battled their way through a highly competitive field. In a tense final, they defeated the reigning 2025 Over-70 champions by two games to one, avenging a narrow defeat to the same opponents during the round-robin stages.

The English Open is regarded as the second-largest pickleball tournament in the world, attracting more than 3,000 players from across the globe.

Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Its accessibility, social nature and appeal across all age groups have helped fuel a surge in participation.