TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – It’s different down here.
Sunil ‘Sunny’ Patel loves his vantage point when he picks up a pool cue, especially compared to his usual opponents.
“They’re standing up looking at the balls and I’m eye level to the whole table,” he said.
WCTV tagged along with Patel on a recent Tuesday night at Zingales Sports Bar and Grill off Apalachee Parkway.
The pool hall was buzzing. Local American Poolplayers Association League Operator Kelly Elliot oversees dozens of players.
But none are quite like Sunny.
Eight years after picking up his first pool cue, Patel is now headed to Las Vegas to compete in the APA Wheelchair Championship in late April. (WCTV / Jacob Murphey)
“Sunny is different. Sunny is unique. You like Sunny from the get go,” Elliot said.
Friend Justin Radigan was a quick learner to Sunny’s superb play.
“First time we met, he actually beat me,” he said.
Eight years after picking up his first pool cue, Patel is now headed to Las Vegas to compete in the APA Wheelchair Championship in late April.
Radigan and Elliot pushed Patel to qualify for the national tournament for years. This year, he’s finally venturing west.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he does…but we’re definitely pulling for him,” Radigan said.
Elliot knows Patel will be put to the test. But he’s known in these parts as someone never afraid of a challenge.
Patel- who was once one of the top wheelchair tennis players in the country- loves taking on anyone and everyone.
Tallahassee pool player set to take on world’s best at wheelchair championships(Sunny Patel)
“It can be challenging, but then I think it’s challenging for them because they don’t know what to expect because they’re not playing someone that’s standing up,” he said.
Patel’s journey to Vegas won’t come cheap. He’s relying on his support network in Tallahassee to help pay for flights, hotel, and other travel costs.
A GoFundMe set up by Radigan has raised hundreds for the effort.
The local APA chapter is also hosting a tournament Saturday, March 21, to help Patel get to Vegas.
He’ll take part in an exhibition match against last year’s 2nd place wheelchair finisher. The fun starts at noon.
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