Bien Zoleta and Johner Ombrezo brought pride in one of the rising sports in the world, winning the gold medal in the mixed doubles 35+ Open division at the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series in Bali, Indonesia.
The pair defeated Piyapon Srirapan and Tarie Caouette of Thailand, 21–18, to capture the crown.
The Filipino duo defeated Novi Emiliabir and Gusti Hariwibawa of Indonesia, 15-2, in the Final Four after defeating Australians Ty Yturralde and Sarah Burr, 15-13, in the quarterfinals.
Led by Zoleta
This was Zoleta's–a 35-year-old former tennis player–second gold medal of the competition after ruling the women's singles event.
Zoleta is a four-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist.
Ombrezo, an experienced tennis player, hails from Tukuran, Zamboanga Del Sur. At the 2006 Palarong Pambansa in Naga, Camarines Sur, he earned the gold medal in singles tennis.
Tough task
The duo faced a difficult task in the renowned WPC Series, which has drawn 552 competitors from 28 nations.
With the assistance of her family and kind friends, Zoleta was able to travel to Bali because the Philippines does not yet have a national pickleball squad.
