Yuta Funemizu, the Japanese athlete, has carved his name in pickleball history when he became the first Japanese-born player to sign an exclusive contract with the UPA to compete on the PPA Tour and be eligible for selection in Major League Pickleball (MLP).
In an exclusive interview with Toray, Funemizu opened up about his journey into pickleball, one that began unexpectedly during the pandemic.
“In 2020, shortly after I became a professional soft tennis player, all domestic and international tournaments were canceled due to the pandemic,” Funemizu recalled.
“As I struggled with feelings of helplessness, an acquaintance introduced me to pickleball, mentioning how it was growing rapidly in the United States,” he added.
“Having already won almost all titles in soft tennis, including world championships, I reasoned that if I had that ability, I might also be successful in pickleball. I immediately contacted the Japan Pickleball Association, and they gave me an opportunity to hear from the Japan champion at the time,” he concluded.
About Indian Pickleball Association:
The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking:
PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages.
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