Sabrina Edwards Pereira channelled her inner Olympian to strike gold at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Pereira, 18, who attends Harper Adams University, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

Pereira and women’s doubles partner Karen Crawford won every match en route to success in the 4.5 18+ event before taking a thrilling decider two games to one.

“I was feeling very tired, but I was just like ‘come on, last bit of energy and we can go home and lie in bed,’” said Shrewsbury's Pereira.

“We played together last year at the English Open in the 4.0 tournament, and we got silver last year, then last year we’ve come up a level and we’ve won gold, so we’re really happy with that.

“I got into pickleball, I think, about two years ago or maybe a bit before that.

“We went down to Devon and played it at the Ashbury Hotel for this sports thing, and we won it the first day we played.”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

“I was a tennis player before and my whole family now plays, my brother and my mum, and we all really enjoy it,” added Pereira.

“The event is amazing and I love the fact the Americans have come over and showcased such a high-level of pickleball pros, which helps Europe get more into pickleball.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org