Sun City resident John Schwan described his latest pickleball tournament as “the Olympics, but for seniors.”
Schwan returned with a silver medal he earned at the 2025 National Senior Olympics Games, held in Des Moines, Iowa. Schwan won three of four contested matches in the 75-79 age group, in the 4.0 division. Pickleball was one of 26 sports contested.
“As a Senior Athlete, for me the atmosphere was exhilarating,” Schwan said. “It was just like being at the Olympics, but for seniors. It drew the best senior athletes in the United States. There were over 12,500 athletes ages 50 and above who were registered to compete in everything from track and field, swimming, weightlifting, volleyball, softball, basketball, golf and pickleball. Pickleball was one of the fastest growing events with 1,600 participants.”
Schwan was impressed with the pickleball competition. It was a round-robin, best of three games, with five total rounds and one bye format.
Schwan beat Juan Brache, the New York Olympics Silver Medal winner, 11-2, 11-2; after a bye, beat Michael Armstrong, New York Olympics Champion, 11-3, 11-3; beat John Swanson, Texas Olympics State Champion, 11-1, 11-7 to advance to the gold medal match. At the gold medal match Schwan lost to Paul Coletta, the North Carolina Olympics State Champion, 2-1. He lost game one, 11-0; won game two, 11-4 and lost the third and deciding game, 11-4.
“It was probably the most competitive tournament I have played,” Schwan said. “In order to qualify for the national tournament, a player had to finish first, second or third place in their state tournament. I won the silver medal and was very pleased based on the level of competition.”
This success followed an area championship gold medal at the Chicago Six County Pickleball Open Doubles Championship. In April, he won the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Fla.
Schwan continues to be proud of how pickleball has grown in this area, specifically at Sun City.
“The Sun City Pickleball Charter Club continues to be one of the largest and most popular clubs at Sun City, growing its membership to over 600 members,” Schwan commented. “It continues to have well organized activities for beginners to 4.0 plus seasoned veterans like me. Everyone is welcome and can join at any time.”
Schwan’s competition season is far from over, including for doubles at a Sun City Pickleball Charter Club tournament Sept. 9.
“On a state level, for the next National Olympics, I am going to be playing the Senior Olympics state qualifiers in Wisconsin at Milwaukee and Illinois at Springfield,” he said. “On a national level, I have qualified for the PPA US Championships (he won the Illinois State Qualifier in Naperville earlier this year). The US Open Championships will be played in Dallas at the Brookhaven Country Club.”
