A POOLE pickleball player completed a remarkable breakthrough year in the sport with gold at the 2023 English Nationals.

Robin Brian, 42, only started playing pickleball nine months ago but he was the star of the show in the north west, as he and partner Paul Gosling soared to the top of the rostrum in the men’s doubles 3.0 35+ category.

The pair met at their local David Lloyd earlier this year and Brian never imagined that they would later be crowned country’s best in front of a bumper crowd.

“It feels very good and I can’t believe it given I only took up the sport earlier this year,” he said.

“It’s really enjoyable coming to Bolton and getting a medal. I never thought I’d be a national champion when I picked the sport up, it’s great to do it with a friend too. 

“We decided soon after the entry opened to go for it and see where we ended up. Luckily, us and a few of our friends have got medals so it’s been great and a worthwhile trip.”

Over the past year, pickleball, long popular in the US, has seen a meteoric rise in the UK due to its inclusive and accessible nature, with an estimated 12,000 regular players and over 450 venues offering the sport across the country.

There are now 682 athletes attending the National Championships at the Bolton Arena, up from 430 at the 2022 event.

Brian is one of the sport’s latest recruits but admits he’ll be playing it for a long time to come as his remarkable rise looks set to continue. 

“I saw it as I walked past a window and asked what it was called because I didn’t even know,” he said.

“I signed onto the next session and that was nine months ago and here I am. It’s really fun and I’ve been addicted from day one.”

This year’s English Nationals, held in Bolton, were sponsored by Skechers, Franklin, Scan and UK Pickleball Shop. Head to https://www.pickleballengland.org/ to find out more or to find your nearest place to play.