Pickleball World Cup 2026: India Finishes Fourth with 41 Medals

India put up a stellar performance at the Pickleball World Cup 2026, held in Da Nang, Vietnam, finishing fourth among 82 participating nations. The result marks a significant leap for Indian pickleball, which had finished last year's edition in seventh place, reflecting the sport's rapid growth in the country.

India Claims 41 Medals at Pickleball World Cup 2026

India's overall medal count stood at an impressive 41, made up of seven gold, 17 silver, and 17 bronze medals. This haul places India firmly among the top-performing nations at the tournament, well ahead of its previous year's showing. The strong tally reflects consistent performances across age categories and formats, from junior athletes to senior and masters-level players, showing the depth India now has in competitive pickleball.

About Pickleball World Cup 2026

1. The Pickleball World Cup 2026 was staged in Da Nang, Vietnam, and drew teams from 82 countries, making it one of the largest gatherings in the sport's history.
2. India fielded a 48-member delegation competing across five team categories: Kids, Juniors, Open, Seniors, and Masters. 
3. Each squad represented the country in team events, with several athletes also competing in individual categories. 
4. The Juniors team, led by Arjun Singh, reached the quarterfinals before losing to hosts Vietnam, eventually finishing fourth. 
5. The Open team, captained by Harsh Mehta, fell to the eventual finalists USA in a close quarterfinal clash. 
6. The Seniors squad bowed out in the round of 16 against New Zealand, while the Masters team featured experienced campaigners like Bhushan Akut and Thakurdas Rohira.

Highlights of the Individual Categories in the Pickleball World Cup 2026

Several Indian athletes shone in individual events. Harsh Mehta claimed bronze in the Open Pro Men's Doubles category, while young talent Purvansh Patel struck gold in the U/18 Boys Singles. Veteran player Bhushan Akut was the standout performer of the tournament, winning three gold medals in 60+ Men's Doubles alongside Ashok Rohira, 60+ Men's Singles, and 60+ Mixed Doubles. In the 40+ age group, Fayrouz Zaidi won gold in the Women's Singles category, while Vivek Reddy took top honours in the corresponding Men's Singles event.