Young pickleball star strikes gold at national championships

Milton Keynes has a new pickleball champion to cheer, after 11-year-old Sebastian Oprea returned home with gold and silver from the Young Persons Championship 2026 in Stourbridge last weekend.

Seb took gold in the 12U Boys Singles category and silver in the Mixed Age Doubles, partnering Kai Santano, at the two-day event, one of the biggest dates on the national pickleball calendar.

The best-of-three singles final was a thriller. In the opening game, Seb found himself trailing 2-9 before launching a remarkable comeback, fighting back to take it 12-10. He carried that momentum into the second game, winning it 11-3 to seal the title in straight games. The victory capped an undefeated run for Seb, who had come through the round robin stage and a hard-fought semi-final without losing a game.

Seb is a familiar face on the podium. A talented tennis and pickleball player, he trains at Pickledilly Circus, the Milton Keynes pickleball club run by his parents, Julia and Paul Oprea, who are competing as well. Last year he won gold in the Mixed Doubles event at the same championship, along with a bronze medal in the U12 Singles. He has also reached the podium at previous editions of both the English Nationals and the English Open, building a strong record in the sport at national level.

This year's championship was the largest yet, drawing players from across the country. The event was organised by Lou Stephens and Sam Basford, with support from a team of referees and volunteers who helped it run smoothly throughout.

Pickleball, a paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, has seen rapid growth in popularity across the UK in recent years, with junior participation in particular on the rise. Young players like Seb are increasingly making their mark on the national stage.

With this latest success behind him, Seb is already looking ahead to the English Open in August, where he will hope to add to his growing medal collection.