Andy Horridge and Gary Thoroughgood Claim Triple Crowns at Western Australia Pickleball Championships
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Andy Horridge and Gary Thoroughgood have both secured rare triple crown victories at the 2026 Western Australia Pickleball Championships, held at the Ocean Ridge Tennis Club. The pair demonstrated absolute dominance across multiple formats and skill divisions, securing gold medals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events during the heavily congested weekend schedule. The results cement their status among the elite tier of competitors operating within the Australian domestic circuit.
The regional championships serve as a critical indicator of the sport’s rapidly expanding footprint across the Asia-Pacific region. As Australia invests heavily in regional infrastructure and tournament sanctioning, domestic events are generating a highly competitive environment that acts as a proving ground for players targeting broader international professional pathways.
The success of both a recognised professional competitor and a senior age-bracket athlete at the same event highlights the dual pathways currently driving the sport’s expansion. The tournament’s execution and high participation levels further validate Australia’s strategy of building strong regional hubs to support the overall national growth of the game.
Andy Horridge, an established presence within the Australian professional ranks, produced a flawless campaign to secure his three gold medals. Operating at the highest tier of the tournament, Horridge claimed the Men’s Singles Open title through a series of dominant tactical performances. He then partnered with Michael Russ to secure the Men’s Doubles Open championship, demonstrating his versatility across formats.
The most notable victory for Horridge occurred in the Mixed Doubles Open division, where he secured his third gold medal alongside his sister, Aleisha Horridge. The family partnership navigated a difficult draw to claim the title, completing Horridge’s sweep of the premier events. Following the conclusion of the matches, Horridge commended the standard of the competition and specifically praised the event administration, categorising the current iteration of the championships as the most efficiently managed to date.
In the senior divisions, Gary Thoroughgood matched the triple crown achievement, securing his first career sweep at a sanctioned event. Competing in the advanced skill brackets, Thoroughgood demonstrated immense physical endurance and tactical intelligence to claim the 60+ Men’s Singles title. He maintained his form in the partnered events, winning the 60+ Men’s Doubles alongside Craig Cobern and dropping down an age category to capture the 50+ Mixed Doubles championship in partnership with Rosa Morris.
Thoroughgood’s success was underpinned by his commitment to the community aspects of the sport. Representing Suns Pickleball, he emphasised that the value of the tournament extended beyond competitive success, highlighting the vital role of travel, networking, and social engagement that characterises the veteran circuit. His ability to sustain high-level performance across multiple demanding age brackets over a single weekend requires exceptional physical conditioning and strategic energy management.
The operational success of the event at the Ocean Ridge Tennis Club relied heavily on the coordination of local organisers and a vast network of volunteers. The seamless execution of heavily populated draws across multiple divisions reinforces Western Australia’s capacity to host significant ranking events within the national tournament calendar.
What’s the Score?
The dual triple crowns achieved by Horridge and Thoroughgood represent exceptional individual endurance and tactical supremacy within their respective divisions. The results confirm Western Australia as a premier regional hub capable of producing top-tier domestic talent, while highlighting the robust health of both the open professional pathways and the highly competitive senior brackets within the Australian sporting ecosystem.
Hit it Deeper!
Australia’s approach to domestic pickleball development is proving highly effective by ensuring equal weight is given to elite open competition and the master’s divisions. The concurrent success of Horridge in the open categories and Thoroughgood in the over-60s demonstrates that the sport does not need to sacrifice its older demographic to build a credible professional pathway. Instead, the robust senior circuit provides the financial and participation foundation that allows the elite open tournaments to thrive and attract commercial backing.
Horridge’s dominance suggests that the domestic talent pool is consolidating around a core group of elite professionals. For Australian players to impact the global stage, they require a domestic circuit that consistently tests their abilities. By sweeping the premier events, Horridge has proven his superiority at the regional level, pointing toward a necessary transition to heavier international schedules to continue his developmental trajectory against global opposition.
The success of the Ocean Ridge event also indicates a maturing operational infrastructure within Australian pickleball. The ability to run complex, multi-format tournaments efficiently without administrative delays is essential for securing higher-tier event sanctioning from global governing bodies. As Australia positions itself to host international tour stops, the operational competence demonstrated in Western Australia serves as a crucial proof of concept.
The World Pickleball Magazine Verdict
The Western Australia Championships provided a masterclass in domestic event execution and individual athletic endurance. The achievements of Horridge and Thoroughgood represent the ideal balance of elite aspiration and lifelong competitive participation.
Australia is rapidly solidifying its position as a powerhouse within the Asia-Pacific region. By cultivating strong regional hubs that respect every tier of competition, the country is building a sustainable model for long-term international relevance.
Read more daily reporting in our pickleball news coverage, explore upcoming events in the global pickleball tournaments calendar, and track competitive progression in our pickleball rankings and player profiles. Regional development stories across Oceania can also be found in our Oceania pickleball coverage.
For governance and national development updates, visit the Pickleball Australia official website.
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