Key Points

The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) achieved a remarkable victory at the 2025 World Pickleball Championship in South Korea. Athletes Kuldip Mahajan, Ryan Iam, Vrushali Thakare, and Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma secured two gold and two silver medals across various categories. The tournament featured over 230 top-tier players from across Asia, demonstrating the competitive nature of the event. These achievements underscore India's growing prominence in the global pickleball community and the nation's potential to excel in emerging international sports.

Key Points: India Dominates World Pickleball Championships in Korea

  • AIPA wins two gold and two silver medals in South Korea
  • Kuldip Mahajan secures two gold medals in doubles categories
  • Team competes against 230 top-tier Asian players
  • Victory highlights India's rising international pickleball status
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AIPA athletes bag four medals in World Pickleball Championship in South Korea

AIPA athletes clinch four medals in prestigious Tier 3 World Pickleball Championship, showcasing India's emerging global pickleball prowess

"These victories are not just medals — they are milestones in India's growing stature in global pickleball - Arvind Prabhoo, AIPA President"

Mumbai, June 9

A team selected by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) excelled in the 2025 World Pickleball Championship in South Korea, bagging four medals -- two gold and two silver -- in the event held at the Seogwipo Tennis Center, Jeju-do.

The prestigious Tier 3 tournament, organised by Pickleball Global, saw over 230 top-tier players from across Asia — including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, and Singapore — compete for top honours. The event started on June 5 and the finals were played on Sunday.

In a standout performance, Kuldip Mahajan stole the spotlight by securing two gold medals — in the Men’s Doubles 19+ category with Ryan Iam from Hong Kong and in the Mixed Doubles 19+ category with Vrushali Thakare. India’s winning streak continued with Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma clinching a silver medal in Men’s Singles 19+, while Vrushali Thakare added another silver to her tally in the Women’s Doubles 19+ category alongside Angie Bong from Indonesia.

Arvind Prabhoo, president of AIPA, expressed his happiness at the team's excellent performance in the prestigious event. “It is truly heartening to witness our athletes rise to the occasion and deliver such world-class performances on an international stage. These victories are not just medals — they are milestones in India’s growing stature in the global pickleball community. We are proud of our champions who continue to put Indian pickleball on the world map with grit, grace, and excellence,” he said.

This milestone at the WPC Korea 2025 underscores India’s increasing dominance and competitive edge in international pickleball. With consistent wins and a growing talent pool, AIPA remains committed to nurturing champions and building a robust ecosystem that can compete at the highest levels across the globe.

The All-India Pickleball Association is currently engaged in a battle with the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) for government recognition as a National Sports Federation (NSF). The IPA, which according to AIPA was only formed five months ago, has recently received recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which the AIPA is contesting in the Delhi High Court.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
What a proud moment for Indian sports! 🎉 I had never heard of pickleball before but seeing our athletes dominate internationally is truly inspiring. Hope this gets more media coverage like cricket does. Kuldip Mahajan is a real champion - two golds is no joke!
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Priya M.
Congratulations to all the players! But why is there so much politics in sports administration? Two associations fighting for recognition while our athletes are bringing glory to the nation. Government should resolve this quickly - our players deserve better support.
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Sanjay T.
Amazing performance! But I'm curious - how did Kuldip partner with a Hong Kong player for doubles? Is that allowed in international tournaments? Anyway, bahut badhiya achievement. Hope schools start introducing pickleball now like badminton and tennis.
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Ananya R.
So proud of Vrushali Thakare! Two medals including a gold is fantastic. We need more women representation in sports media coverage. Hope DD Sports or someone broadcasts these matches live next time. #SupportWomenInSports
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Vikram D.
Great achievement no doubt, but I worry about infrastructure. How many proper pickleball courts do we have in India? First time I'm hearing about this sport despite us winning internationally. Sports ministry should invest more in lesser-known games.

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