All Roads Lead to Rome (And So Did My Boules)

Silas, Bekah, and Michelle

This was the tournament I'd been waiting for my whole pétanque life—ever since I fell in love with this sport and decided to go all in. Play as many tournaments as I could, near and far. Connect with other addicts like me. Dream big.

When Bekah Howe and I won the world qualifier to represent the US in 2025, we knew it was going to be special. The World Championships (September 17-22, 2025) would take place in Rome, Italy in the historic Villa Borghese gardens, no less. How could it not be amazing?

Arrival

We landed almost a week early to acclimatize to the time change and soak in the city. We walked miles through Rome's cobblestone streets, ate more pasta than I care to admit, and let the Italian spirit wash over us. Bekah and I even warmed up at historic Circus Maximus. The September weather was warm but tolerable for wandering—perfect for discovering hidden piazzas and hunting for six-euro spritzes at sidewalk cafés. Ahh, life is good.

We also tried to scope out the courts at Villa Borghese, the magnificent heart-shaped garden in the center of Rome. What we found was organizers literally building the courts just days before competition. We watched gravel and dirt being piled in, wood planks stacked and ready to be positioned as perimeters, tents rising from the ground, speakers crackling through sound checks. When we edged closer for a better look, we were quickly shooed away. The anticipation was almost unbearable.

Opening Ceremony

The day before competition, teams from all over the world gathered at the gardens, anxious and eager. Unfortunately, the organizers wouldn't allow anyone to warm up on the courts. Yet people trickled in anyway. Boules were thrown. Nobody could resist.

The opening ceremony began with a wave of energy as each country was announced and athletes walked proudly with their flags. The Villa Borghese gardens glowed in the afternoon light. Once we took our seats, a real Italian opera singer performed—his voice soaring through the ancient trees. Unforgettable.

Then came the speeches. Long speeches. Very long speeches. As the minutes stretched on under the full Mediterranean sun, athletes and guests alike began to wilt. I watched the enthusiasm slowly drain from faces around me. We were sitting ducks in the midday heat.

the American Entourage in Rome

The Grind

Competition began with women's singles, which meant Bekah was up at the crack of dawn. The days started early and ended late—I didn't step off the court after mixed doubles with Gilles Speter until 11:30 pm. Stamina wasn't just helpful; it was survival.

We had breaks between matches, but the heat only intensified as each day wore on. Shade was scarce. Standing on the sunbaked court felt like standing in an oven.

I'll be honest: the organization had its challenges. The superstars played on two main courts with cameras rolling, but the rest of us made do. Court conditions drew plenty of grumbling—the gravel was too thick in many areas, making shots land easy, and some players felt it wasn't challenging enough for a world championship. The porta-potties left much to be desired, with no real restroom, no soap, no running water. Meals came from a large tent where we paid for plates of rice and waited in long lines. Even getting water meant queuing up.

It wasn't glamorous. But we weren't there for glamour.

The Magic

Because here's the thing—none of those frustrations could dim what this experience truly meant.

Throughout it all, our pétanque friends and families showed up. They and our coach Silas Holm cheered us on from the sidelines, pressed cold water bottles into our hands, and lifted our spirits when we lost. And after we were eliminated, we couldn't tear ourselves away from watching the masters at work. Thailand. Madagascar. France. The level of play was breathtaking.

The men's singles final between Italy (Rizzi) and Madagascar (Ramnointiaray) was the match of the tournament. When Italy's Rizzi landed his winning shot on home soil, he knew instantly. "Allora!" he shouted—then dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as teammates and fans piled on top of him. The roar from the Italian crowd echoed through the gardens.

The young Thai female shooter Kantaros - she made carreaux looked like child's play. And when the Thai men (Khamdee and Sriboonpeng) captured gold, it was pandemonium. Cameras everywhere, everyone clamoring for photos, pure electricity crackling through the air. These were the moments that reminded me why I fell in love with this sport.

The Dream

Bekah and I finished 12th and earned our place in the concours—the first time ever for American women.

Playing pétanque in the Villa Borghese gardens, surrounded by athletes from every corner of the world, representing my country in the sport I love—this is what I had dreamed of.

I feel so lucky.

Michelle Dang