Yeehaw! This past weekend the PPA tour travelled to Austin, Texas, for the PPA Austin Showdown. The conditions were unfortunately not very conducive to pickleball play as players battled through cold temps, high winds, and rain. With the unusual conditions there were some unexpected upsets as players struggled to conquer the wind. However, some of the more experienced players seem to be less fazed as they made their way to Championship Sunday.

Among those experienced players was JOOLA Pro, Ben Johns, who had no trouble making his way to Championship Sunday in all three events. Ben faced off against fellow JOOLA player, Federico Staksrud in the Men’s Singles final, ending with Johns winning his first gold medal of the day, 11-8, 11-2. In the mixed doubles finals, Johns teamed up with young talent, Anna Leigh Waters, to take on Anna Bright and James Ignatowich. Playing best of five, the team of Johns/Waters overtook Bright/Ignatowich in four games: 11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-5. Ben Johns completed his triple crown performance with a gold medal in Men’s Doubles alongside his brother, Collin Johns, with their fifth consecutive win over the duo of Matt Wright and Riley Newman: 12-10, 11-3, 11-6. In addition to his triple crown, Ben Johns was also celebrating his birthday over the weekend.

On the women’s side, we saw the partnership of Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters continue to see success as they fought their way to a gold medal on Championship Sunday. Bright/Waters edged out the new partnership of Vivienne David and Meghan Dizon in three straight games to take home the title. Anna Leigh Waters finished her triple crown for the weekend by also taking home gold in Women’s Singles, with Catherine Parenteau taking silver. JOOLA pro, Allyce Jones battled through to the semifinals to ultimately grab the bronze medal.

As we wish congratulations to all the players who participated this weekend, we also want to acknowledge the tragedy of the passing of Thanh Vo. Our thoughts and condolences are with Thanh’s family and loved ones.

Medal and Equipment List:

Ben Johns:                              

Men’s Single – Gold

Men’s Doubles – Gold

Mixed Doubles – Gold

Federico Staksrud: (Paddle- Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm)

Men’s Singles – Silver

Allyce Jones: (Paddle – Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 14 Swift)

Women’s Singles – Bronze

Anna Bright: (Paddle – Solaire CFS 14)

Women’s Doubles – Gold

Mixed Doubles – Silver