Trinidad and Tobago made a statement on the international stage as Liselle James claimed gold and Aaron Chan secured bronze at the 2025 Pickleball World Cup and International Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Competing at The Fort, one of the largest purpose-built pickleball venues in the United States, both players delivered standout performances against a deep international field, underlining the steady rise of the sport in the Caribbean.

Breakthrough moment for James

James, competing in the women’s 35 and over 3.5 division, produced an assured and consistent display throughout the competition. After advancing unbeaten through the round-robin phase, she carried that form into the knockout rounds with composure.

In the final, she defeated Deepali Agarwal 21–16 to secure Trinidad and Tobago’s first gold medal at the tournament, a landmark achievement for both the player and the country.

Her path to the title included a 15–11 semi-final victory over Jessica Perez, who went on to claim bronze after defeating Tara Miller 21–14. Agarwal had earlier edged Miller 16–14 in the other semi-final.

While James may not yet be widely known on the global circuit, her performance in Florida reflects the growing standard of players emerging from Trinidad and Tobago’s developing pickleball scene. Like many Caribbean competitors, she represents a new wave of athletes transitioning from club-level play into international competition.

Chan shows resilience to earn podium finish

Chan, competing in the men’s under-34 4.5 division, also impressed with a strong showing. The 4.5 category is regarded as an advanced level in pickleball, typically featuring players with refined shot selection and tactical awareness.

He progressed through the group stage unbeaten, winning all four of his round-robin matches with authority. His run was halted narrowly in the semi-finals, where he was edged 15–13 by Franco Calandra in a tightly contested encounter.

Chan, however, responded well in the bronze medal play-off, holding his nerve to defeat Diego Gonzales 21–19 and secure Trinidad and Tobago’s second medal of the tournament.

His performance reinforces his standing as one of the country’s leading male players, capable of competing with higher-ranked international opposition.

A sport on the rise

The Pickleball World Cup and International Tournament, held from October 27 to November 2, attracted thousands of players from more than 60 countries, highlighting the rapid growth of the sport, particularly in the United States, where participation has surged in recent years.

Alongside the team-based World Cup competition, the International Tournament featured a wide range of age groups and skill levels, providing opportunities for emerging players to test themselves on a global stage.

For Trinidad and Tobago, the success of James and Chan signals encouraging progress. Pickleball remains in its early stages locally, but participation has been steadily increasing through clubs and community programmes, with more players now venturing into international competition.

Looking ahead

Organisers have already set their sights on expanding the tournament further, with the next edition expected to take place in late August to early September 2026 as part of the sport’s growing global calendar. There are also indications that future editions may rotate beyond the United States as pickleball continues its international push.

At the time of writing, mixed doubles matches were still ongoing in Fort Lauderdale, with final results yet to be confirmed.

Regardless of those outcomes, Trinidad and Tobago’s medal haul has already marked a significant step forward. Not just in terms of results, but in establishing the country’s presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.