After being forced to miss the 2022 Canadian Pickleball National Championships, professional Pickleball player Steve Deakin returned to the 2023 national level with all his might, earning medals in every category he entered.

The Pitt Meadows star athlete was the victim of what he described as a “career-threatening wrist injury” last year that sidelined him for most of the season, including the national championships in June. That made the Nationals return last week to the biggest stage in Canadian Pickleball for the first time since 2021.

“There were questions around my health and my getting older, so I had something to prove,” said Deakin.

And the proof he succeeded by winning three gold medals and one silver medal.

Deakin played with various partners throughout the national championships, competing in men’s doubles 4.0 and over (ages 40 to 49), men’s pro doubles, mixed doubles 4.0 and over (ages 16 to 39), and mixed doubles pro, earning gold medals in each category. this except mixed doubles 4.0 and above.

Earning the highest number of national championship medals of her career after returning from serious injury meant a lot to Deakin, who said he loved every minute of the tournament.

“Being a part of Canadian Pickball as a whole has been great. We have seen tremendous growth in the sport in recent years and I am very excited to be a part of this growth in Canada.”

Deakin hopes to continue this winning streak as he prepares to return to the US to compete in the Cincinnati tournament in September.

“My body feels good and my game feels strong.”

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