This past weekend, Team Selkirk’s rising stars, Rafa Lenhard, Anouar Braham, and Kiora Kunimoto, dominated at the Rock City Rally PPA Challenger, each claiming multiple medals.
Selkirk Combine athletes earn top spots in Arkansas
Rafa Lenhard and Anouar Braham are two of the twelve athletes who were recently selected to participate in Selkirk’s newest initiative, the Selkirk Combine, where players were tested on gameplay, physical fitness, and agility—all while receiving top-notch coaching.
Lenhard earned his first-ever PPA Challenger gold medal in singles after advancing through a tough draw featuring both PPA Tour veterans and rising talents. His success didn’t end there — Lenhard, alongside partner Troy Akin, captured the men’s doubles gold, defeating Selkirk’s Anouar Braham and partner Tom Protzek in the final.
Braham takes home two silvers
Braham walked away from the weekend with two silver medals. The top player on the mixed doubles Challenger leaderboard, Braham teamed up with Selkirk’s Kiora Kunimoto for a standout performance. The duo advanced steadily through the draw, defeating tour veterans Lina Padegimaite and Wyatt Stone 11–7, 11–9 in the semifinals, before ultimately falling to Zoey Weil and Brandon French in the final.
Kunimoto continues her rise in the ranks
Seventeen-year-old Kiora Kunimoto has been one to watch since joining the pro tour in June. With one PPA Challenger gold medal already to her name, Kunimoto added two silvers this past weekend. She partnered with fellow recent PPA Tour signee Giovanna Morelli to earn her third Challenger medal in a field of sixteen tough teams. Kunimoto and Morelli were tested in several three-game matches before earning their spot in the final.
Be on the lookout for these rising talents as they continue to break through on the PPA Tour!
