The Asian Open Pickleball Championship held in Vietnam witnessed a dominant performance by the Indian team, which bagged three gold and two bronze medals across different categories.
In the mixed doubles intermediate 35+ category, the duo of Sachin Pahwa and Priyanka Chhabra clinched the gold medal after a thrilling match against Ruben Hellberg and Chitlada Hemasee. The match was a nail-biter, with the Indian pair emerging victorious with a score of 11-9, 5-11, 11-9.
The women’s doubles open category saw Isha Lakhani and Pei Chuan Kao put up a commanding performance. They defeated Dang Kim Ngan and Tyak K with a score of 15-7, 15-3, showcasing their dominance in the game.
The men’s doubles event was another feather in India’s cap. Aniket Patel and Rohit Patil overcame Nik Alessandro Isagan and Lester Ga in a hard-fought match to claim the gold medal. Despite losing the first set 5-11, they made a remarkable comeback to win the next two sets 11-6, 11-8.
Vijay Menon secured a bronze medal in the men’s singles advanced 35+ category by defeating Yu Hsuan Cher. In the women’s singles intermediate 35+ category, Priyanka Chhabra added another bronze to India’s tally by defeating Marissa Phongsirikul.
Pickleball reaching new heights in India
The Indian team’s performance at the Asian Open Pickleball Championship signifies the growing popularity and success of pickleball in India. The sport, which is already skyrocketing in popularity in the US, is fast gaining traction in India.
The recent Bengaluru Open 2024 saw participation from more than 400 participants from 17 states. The success of the Indian team in the Asian Open Pickleball Championship is a significant milestone in the journey of pickleball in India and promises a bright future for the sport in the country.
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