Credits to: Manila Standard
Philippine standouts Bambi Zoleta and Patricia Raymundo captured the women’s doubles 19+ 4.5 Gold at the World Pickleball Championship 2025 – Tier 5 in Bali, closing out an unbeaten campaign with a commanding 21–6 win over Marine Demol and Mila Yatmi in the final.
Zoleta and Raymundo Wins World Pickleball Championship Gold
The Filipino duo dictated terms from the start, pairing heavy serves with quick volleys and precise placement to keep their opponents on the back foot. The lopsided title-match scoreline capped a flawless run that saw Zoleta and Raymundo sweep all seven of their round-robin matches. They had already faced Demol and Yatmi once in group play, grinding out an 11–7 victory before decisively repeating the result for the championship.
For Zoleta, the triumph is another milestone in a multi-sport career. A decorated soft tennis athlete, she previously won Southeast Asian Games gold before turning her focus to pickleball—an expansion of her racket-sport repertoire that paid off on the world stage.
“We are incredibly happy and proud to give this gold medal to the Philippines,” Zoleta said. “All our hard work and training paid off.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a world champion,” added Raymundo. “Bambi and I have great chemistry on the court, and we supported each other every step of the way.”
The Bali meet gathered international fields across multiple age and skill divisions, underscoring pickleball’s rapid global growth. With their dominant showing, Zoleta and Raymundo have positioned themselves as a tandem to watch as the sport’s calendar continues.
The Bali showcase also highlighted the rise of pickleball in Asia, where players from across the region are making their mark on the global stage. With this victory, Zoleta and Raymundo not only raised the Philippine flag but also reinforced the momentum of pickleball Asia as it continues to produce champions.
