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Ian Hodgkinson was delighted to test himself against the best right on his doorstep at the 2025 Knotty’s English Nationals pickleball tournament at Bolton Arena.

Hodgkinson, who is a member of Trafford Pickleball Club, competed in the men’s doubles 60+ 4.0 category alongside Martin Bromley.

The pair had previously won gold in the 3.5 category last year, but stepping up a level represented a difficult challenge.

“We just failed to get out of our group,” Hodgkinson explained. “I only started playing last year, and Martin asked me to play last year, and we won the 3.5 over 60s group last year, but this year we just failed to get out of our group.

“I find that the general standard of player here has improved, it is a lot better than last year.

“It is nice to get such a big com

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