The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) kicked off its first major tournament of the year at its Fort Lauderdale headquarters, attracting nearly 1,000 players. The event also marked milestones for the sport’s development, featuring a youth academy and producing historic outcomes.
A standout moment came when Will Howells secured a rare Triple Crown—winning gold in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. He defeated Grayson Goldin in a tight singles final and teamed with Jack Munro and Bobbi Oshiro to claim the other two titles. This feat places Howells among an elite group of only five men to ever achieve the APP Triple Crown.
On the women’s side, Taiwan’s Pei Chuan Kao stunned the field by winning gold in her APP debut, taking down top players like Simone Jardim and two-time champ Sofia Sewing. Judit Castillo earned bronze in the singles draw.
In Mixed Doubles, Howells and Oshiro dominated, while in Men’s Doubles, Howells and Munro cruised through the bracket, capping Howells’ unforgettable weekend.
Women’s Doubles gold went to Emily Cederquist and Yana Newell, who upset Jardim & Hendry in the final for their first title together since July 2024.
With the medal tracker updated, the APP now looks ahead to its next stop: the Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati this May.
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