Last 23 February, the pickleball University Sports Autonomous Competition (CADU) organised by the Universitat de València took place at 10:30am in the Sports Service facilities in Blasco Ibáñez. Participants from various categories faced each other in a group phase up until the qualifying round. The UV placed first in the universities ranking, followed by the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Universitat Cardenal Herrera in third place.

For the athletes, their morning was filled with concentration, tactics and effort. These qualities are typical of racquet sports that matched the competitive rhythm between the autonomous universities. The high athletic level of the participants was definitely the highlight of the day. In the women’s category, the UV students won the gold in the finals against the UCH girls. The UPV athletes ended up getting the bronze medal. In the men’s category, the UJI athletes got the top spot in the podium, followed by the UPV who placed second. The UV managed to squeeze into that podium and won the bronze medal. In the mixed category, the UCH emerged as the winner of the gold medal in the finals against the UPV, who placed second. That is how the UV got its second bronze in the competition.

The Tennis federation of the Valencian Community played a key role in the session’s success as a collaborator. Moreover, they signed an agreement with the UV which will promote pickleball and other sports practices amongst students, creating new opportunities for the growth of this sport in the university community.