{"id":199565,"date":"2026-03-20T19:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/199565\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T19:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:31:10","slug":"tallahassee-pool-player-set-to-take-on-worlds-best-at-wheelchair-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/199565\/","title":{"rendered":"Tallahassee pool player set to take on world\u2019s best at wheelchair championships"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – It\u2019s different down here. <\/p>\n

Sunil \u2018Sunny\u2019 Patel loves his vantage point when he picks up a pool cue, especially compared to his usual opponents. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re standing up looking at the balls and I\u2019m eye level to the whole table,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

WCTV tagged along with Patel on a recent Tuesday night at Zingales Sports Bar and Grill off Apalachee Parkway. <\/p>\n

The pool hall was buzzing. Local American Poolplayers Association League Operator Kelly Elliot oversees dozens of players. <\/p>\n

But none are quite like Sunny. <\/p>\n

\"EightEight 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)<\/p>\n

\u201cSunny is different. Sunny is unique. You like Sunny from the get go,\u201d Elliot said. <\/p>\n

Friend Justin Radigan was a quick learner to Sunny\u2019s superb play.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst time we met, he actually beat me,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Radigan and Elliot pushed Patel to qualify for the national tournament for years. This year, he\u2019s finally venturing west. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be interesting to see how he does…but we\u2019re definitely pulling for him,\u201d Radigan said. <\/p>\n

Elliot knows Patel will be put to the test. But he\u2019s known in these parts as someone never afraid of a challenge. <\/p>\n

Patel- who was once one of the top wheelchair tennis players in the country- loves taking on anyone and everyone.<\/p>\n

\"TallahasseeTallahassee pool player set to take on world\u2019s best at wheelchair championships(Sunny Patel)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be challenging, but then I think it\u2019s challenging for them because they don\u2019t know what to expect because they\u2019re not playing someone that\u2019s standing up,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Patel\u2019s journey to Vegas won\u2019t come cheap. He\u2019s relying on his support network in Tallahassee to help pay for flights, hotel, and other travel costs. <\/p>\n

A GoFundMe set up by Radigan<\/a> has raised hundreds for the effort. <\/p>\n

The local APA chapter is also hosting a tournament Saturday, March 21, to help Patel get to Vegas. <\/p>\n

He\u2019ll take part in an exhibition match against last year\u2019s 2nd place wheelchair finisher. The fun starts at noon. <\/p>\n

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