A video of a pickleball player named Peter Shonk getting kicked by his opponent in the face recently went viral across social media, find out more below
Pickleball is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, combining various aspects of sports like tennis, table tennis, and badminton.
Peter Shonk knocked out after being kicked in the face by opponent during pickleball game, video goes viral
Notably, Pickleball has skyrocketed with sports icons like Tom Brady and LeBron James investing in Major Pickleball League teams.
Viral video of pickleball player getting kicked
According to reports, the shocking incident took place at a tournament, right after the final point of the afternoon. The video starts off with the shocking kick before cutting off to what eventually took place leading up to it. In the video, a man in a green shirt, now identified as Shonk, hits the winning point and shouts:
Come on! Let’s go!”
As the four players approached the net to shake hands, the main in pink shorts holds out his paddle, but Shonk mistakenly knocks the paddle out of the man’s hands. Shonk bents over to pick up the paddle in a bid to make up for his mistake. However, the man in pink does not take it well and swings his right leg in Shonk’s face. Shonk’s partner immediately confronts the kicker and shoves him while onlookers try to keep them apart.
Meanwhile, Shonk fell to the ground immediately and laid down, seemingly unconscious. He eventually got up in a crouching position with his back facing the camera. According to Shonk, he “lost memory for 3 hours”, and explained he didn’t knock the opponent’s paddle out of their hand intentionally.
This video is absolutely insane.
It occurred after championship point from a tournament this weekend and the man that was assaulted, Peter Shonk, shared this video with us to post and wants everyone to know that he is ok.
While I understand things get heated at tournaments… pic.twitter.com/Mxxic8FbbS
— The Kitchen Pickleball 👨🏻🍳 (@TheKitchenPB) November 18, 2024
Peter Shonk will not press charges
According to reports, Shonk will not pressing charges and stated about the incident:
I was just fired up after the win. I went to tap his paddle, and it fell out of his hand. I immediately bent to pick it up (for him) — no bad intentions — but what happened next shocked everyone.”
He further added:
I have a family, two healthy businesses, and I play pickleball for recreation and challenge. I don’t have time to waste with this guy.”
Barstool Sports also shared a video of the incident, with the caption:
A KICK TO THE FACE?? This pickleball s**t just means more.”
One fan commented on the video:
Are head kicks legal in pickleball? I don’t know the rules.”
Another fan posted:
Imagine going to jail over Pickleball. The partner should’ve dropped that dude.”
A third commented:
I love pickleball … but folks, it’s not a real sport, no need to kick other people.”
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