From the Picklehood

A big shout out to our Kaua’i pickleball contingent who made their way to Las Vegas April 15-21, 2024, for the USA Golden Ticket Qualifying Tournament.  As most of you know, the coveted Golden Ticket (presented to Gold Medal winners) is a direct path automatic entry into the USA National Pickleball Tournament to be held this year in Mesa, AZ November 10-17.  

 

It is with great pride we list ALL Kaua’i medal winners from the April 2024 Las Vegas Tournament.  

 

Gold/Golden Ticket: Brant Fuchigami 4.5 Mens Singles 40-64  

Gold/Golden Ticket: Seela Fisher 4.0 Women’s Singles 19-59

 

Gold/Golden Ticket: Seela Fisher-Kelsey Daguio 4.5 Womens Doubles 12-39

Gold/Golden Ticket: Stefanie Cannon-Tiffany Carolan 3.5 Womens Doubles 

 

Gold/Golden Ticket: Seela Fisher-Brant Fuchigami 4.5 Mixed Doubles 30-39

Gold/Golden Ticket: Chris Fujikado-Jules Cannon 3.0 Mens Doubles 40-54

 

Silver: Brant Fuchigami-Neil Sison 4.5 Mens Doubles 40-49

Silver: Stefanie and Jules Cannon. 3.0 Mixed Doubles 40-49

Silver: Chris Fujikado-Stacie Rivera. 3.0 Mixed Doubles 50-54

 

Bronze: Stefanie Cannon 3.5 Womens Singles 40-54

Bronze: Maria Almeida-Kaleo Perez 3.5 Mixed Doubles 60-64

 

Congratulations Kaua’i Picklehooders on a job well done.  Limited facilities.  Limited access to training and classes.  LOTS OF HEART.  Not bad for our little island in the middle of the Pacific.  

 

On another note, Our Kauai Senior Pickleball League is winding down play with the second and final round being played the week of April 21-25.  The playoff round will be the last week of April.  Four teams representing all areas of our island have engaged in some fun and very competitive play.  Standings as of this column…..(1) Team Pa’i; (2) In R Out; (3) Dinkosaurs; (4) The Super Seniors.  A much deserved mahalo to Melanie Okamoto and Chad Koga for the idea and organization of round robin play.  We hope the Senior League will continue in the future.

 

Jack Hodges

District Pickleball Ambassador Hawaii

Kaua’i Resident