Veer Arpit Shah clinched a bronze medal in the U14 boys’ singles at the 2026 Pickleball World Cup. The result added another podium finish to India’s impressive campaign.
Shah was composed in his third-place playoff match, beating Vietnam’s Nguyen Gia Hung 21-11. The youngster was in good form and dictated proceedings as he pulled away from his Vietnamese opponent.
The 21-11 scoreline justified Shah’s dominance as he found ways to keep up the pressure. With the medal at stake, he maintained his composure and played some brilliant shots to close out the match.
The bronze medal is a huge achievement for Shah, considering that some of the best young pickleball players from around the world participated in his category. His performance also showcased India’s growing depth across age groups and categories.
The win is also a memorable moment for Shah. His performance in the U14 singles not only delivered a podium finish but also offered a glimpse of the young talent that could play an important role in the future of Indian pickleball.
India’s performance has been impressive in this year’s World Cup. Speaking to Pickleball Now, coach Dhiren Patel said, “India’s performance in this World Cup 2026 is really very good so far.”
Speaking about the competitiveness in the tournament, he said, “The competition level here in this World Cup compared to the last World Cup, as I said, is really high.”
“This is a higher DUPR-rated World Cup this time. So, 6.0 players and 6.0 and below are participating in this World Cup.”
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).