The pickleball world was abuzz with excitement as the Cabieses siblings, Miranda and Hercilio, brought the World Cup to their home country of Peru. However, not many would know, but these two siblings are relative newcomers to pickleball. It was only in 2021 that Miranda held a paddle and has since become a professional player. Her brother, Hercilio, who previously played collegiate tennis, also transitioned to pickleball during the pandemic.
However, in this short period, the Cabieses siblings established the Cabieses Foundation, an organisation dedicated to introducing pickleball to young people in Peru. The duo's passion for the sport ultimately culminated in hosting the World Pickleball Cup in Lima, Peru, in the last week of October, where players from 32 countries came together to compete on Peruvian soil. Nearly 500 athletes showcased their talent at the prestigious event as it inspired a new generation of players.
"We want to keep growing the sport. We want to make this an event that people talk about all over the world," said Hercilio while outlining his vision for the future of pickleball:
Miranda's brother Hercilio has been instrumental in organising the Pickleball World Cup. But for her, it has been an arduous journey. After all, she faced a setback very early in her childhood. At the age of 9, when she was making waves on the tennis court, an untimely hip injury was a massive setback.But she refused to be bogged down, and rather than giving up, Miranda channeled her love for racquet sports into pickleball.
She persevered and found success in her new sport. Thereafter, she not only became a professional player but also promoted the sport in Peru.
The story of the Cabieses siblings' journey from newcomers to champions of the sport is surely an inspiring one and shows how sport has the ability to change lives and bring people closer.