Senior Pro Mixed Doubles team Lee Whitwell and Jaime Oncins win after a hardfought three-game final .
Taylor Nichols is all smiles after winning the Triple Crown in the wheelchair division .
leaving him paralyzed from the chest down . Fast-forward to 2023 when , on a play date to Chicken N Pickle , he picked up a paddle for the first time and realized how inclusive the sport is . He hasn ’ t stopped playing since .
“ As the adaptive / wheelchair side of the sport grows and players evolve , studying the game will become easier ,” added Nichols . By including a wheelchair division at this year ’ s Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships , other tournaments may follow suit and implement a bracket that is beginning to attract more players across the country .
“ More importantly , I hope the general population sees us as athletes who are passionate about the game , and just because we use a wheelchair to navigate , we don ’ t let the wheelchair define us ,” said Nichols .
“ I hope we inspire others to get out and learn the game despite any condition , limitations and / or disability . There are a lot of adaptive players across the nation who are looking for opportunities to compete at these high-level tournaments , so there ’ s definitely a need .
“ It ’ s intriguing for others to watch and compete alongside adaptive athletes , as it helps bridge that gap between diverse communities and proves pickleball truly is for everyone . It ’ s a huge win for the sport !” •
Senior Pro Mixed Doubles team Lee Whitwell and Jaime Oncins win after a hardfought three-game final .
Drew Wathey is a published author and screenwriter (“ A Season With Hope ”) and former director of communications for the PGA Tour ’ s Phoenix Open . Wathey is the owner of SportsLink , a home-based sports public relations and marketing company . He is also a national sports anchor for iHeart Radio . His family lives in Phoenix , Arizona .
Taylor Nichols is all smiles after winning the Triple Crown in the wheelchair division .
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