Most poker followers bear in mind Bernard Lee for his deep run within the 2005 World Series of Poker important occasion, or for his common reporting and columns on ESPN, the Boston Herald, and even Card Player Magazine. But the two-time WSOP Circuit winner confirmed off a few of his different abilities final week on the 2023 National Senior Games, taking over the nation’s finest within the National Pickleball Championship.
The occasion, held in Pittsburgh, attracted over 1,500 pickleball gamers, with the 53-year-old Lee competing within the youngest age division of 50-54. Despite being in one of many hardest brackets, Lee had no points attending to the finals by successful all the video games in his matches.
You can watch Lee in motion under.
He was poised to cruise to the championship, successful the primary of three video games within the finals, earlier than a calf harm threatened his title probabilities. His daughter, performing as his coach, was involved, however Lee needed to proceed taking part in.
“I told her that she would have to cut off my leg to prevent me from playing,” Lee said. “I was basically playing on one leg after the injury. I decided to just go for my shots and try to end the points as quickly as possible.”
Fortunately for Lee, the photographs landed and the match was his.
“I’m tremendously thankful to take home to gold and the 2023 National Championship.”
Lee is comparatively new to pickleball, having simply began taking part in a pair years in the past, however shortly discovered that he had a knack for it. When he’s not taking part in or reporting on poker, he performs pickleball for Team Engage.
Pickleball combines many parts of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The sport was invented in 1965, however has seen a surge in new gamers lately, being named the quickest rising sport within the U.S. for the final two years.
Professional pickleball groups have drawn investments from the likes of Drew Brees and LeBron James. Some sportsbooks are even working in the direction of providing skilled pickleball betting within the close to future.
