GOLD COAST, Australia — Thirteen-year-old Filipino-Australian Javier Segui celebrated his birthday in an unforgettable way by winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Trilogy Funds Australian Pickleball Championships in Gold Coast! Competing in the 14 and Under Boys Singles Skill category, Javier’s first-ever tournament turned into a thrilling success.
The championship, which ran from October 2-7, is the biggest pickleball event in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 1,200 players from around the world gathered to compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, making it the second largest pickleball tournament globally, according to Pickleball Australia Association (PAA).
Javier’s birthday win made the tournament extra special. “I was nervous at first, especially on day one when I played against a gold medalist!” he said. Besides his singles category win, Javier also competed in the 18 and Under Boys Doubles Skill event, where he and his partner faced tough opponents.
Pickleball, a fast-growing sport in Australia, first caught Javier’s attention two years ago at a friend’s house. “It started as just a fun game with friends, but I’ve been training hard these past few weeks,” he shared. Besides pickleball, Javier is also a skilled tennis player, swimmer, and volleyball player, recently winning silver with his school volleyball team at the 2024 Junior Schools Cup.
Javier’s parents, Oliver and Juliette, who grew up in Quezon City and Cainta, Rizal, couldn’t be prouder. Oliver, who shares his birthday with Javier, is a doctor based in Gold Coast.
With his first pickleball medal under his belt, Javier has big dreams for more wins in the future!
