Zoleta & Raymundo Claim Gold at WPC 2025, Boost Philippines Pickleball
What's the Score?
Filipino athletes Bambi Zoleta and Patricia Raymundo secured a dominant victory, claiming the gold medal in the Women’s Doubles 19+ 4.5 category at the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) 2025 Tier 5 in Bali, Indonesia. Their performance was marked by unwavering dominance, culminating in a smashing final score of 21-6. This victory establishes the Philippines as a significant emerging force in Asian pickleball, proving that the nation possesses considerable talent in the sport.
Hit it deeper!
The Women’s Doubles victory by the tandem of Zoleta and Raymundo was more than just a win; it was a clear statement regarding the growing pickleball prowess of the Philippines. They captured the championship over the weekend, defeating the duo of Marine Demol and Mila Yatmi with an overwhelming final score of 21-6. The source material notes that their "golden run" throughout the tournament was so dominant that they were "hardly challenged".
Bambi Zoleta views the gold medal moment as a significant milestone in her relatively young career in pickleball. Her success serves as compelling evidence that athletes can effectively and seamlessly transition from other established racquet sports into pickleball. Zoleta herself is a prime example of this cross-sport excellence, having been a decorated soft tennis player. Notably, she previously won gold for the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Games while competing in soft tennis. Zoleta confirmed that focusing on pickleball was the correct choice, given her victory in Bali alongside Raymundo. She expressed immense pride following the win: “We are incredibly happy and proud to give this gold medal to the Philippines. All our hard work and training paid off,”.
Patricia Raymundo attributed their dominant performance in Bali to a strong partnership. She acknowledged the chemistry they shared, stating, “It’s an amazing feeling to be a world champion. Bambi and I have great chemistry on the court, and we supported each other every step of the way,”. This synergy was critical to their success in the WPC 2025 Tier 5 event.
Zoleta and Raymundo are the newest Filipino athletes to achieve regional recognition and success in pickleball, following in the footsteps of established players such as Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Dino Jimenez. Sources emphasised that the "Pearl of the Orient has a lot of" pickleball talent, concluding with a strong warning to the global pickleball community: “Don’t sleep on the Philippines when it comes to pickleball talent”. Their comprehensive victory at the Tier 5 championship reinforces the nation’s status as a formidable contender in the Asian pickleball landscape.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The victory of Zoleta and Raymundo signifies a crucial moment for the growth of pickleball outside of traditional strongholds. Their dominance in the Women’s Doubles 19+ 4.5 category at a Tier 5 World Championship event underscores the success of integrating highly skilled athletes from complementary sports, such as Zoleta's background in soft tennis. The clear confidence expressed by the players and the assertion that the Philippines is a force to be reckoned with suggest that future Asian tournaments will face increasingly stiff competition from Filipino players who are now competing successfully on the international stage, following the path set by Jimenez and Patrimonio. This is evidence of Asia’s rapid maturation in the sport.