Petaling Jaya – The Selangor ASICS Pickleball Open concluded on a high note, drawing 267 players to the two-day tournament held on 15-16 February at the DINK2 courts in Petaling Jaya. The event, which featured team and singles categories, showcased the growing popularity of pickleball in Malaysia, with participants competing across various divisions, including men’s doubles, mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and novice singles.
Singles Division Highlights
In the women’s singles category, Connie Chan emerged as the champion, with Maxine Teoh Kah Wai securing second place, Lim Ju-En in third, and Yong Sze Jing in fourth. On the men’s side, Danny Tan claimed the top spot, followed by Lee Jia An, Jaden Tham, and Ritchie Lee Zhe Zhin in second, third, and fourth places, respectively.
Team Event Dominance
The team event saw 002 East-West dominate the competition, clinching the championship title. DINKiT secured second place, while MYP SJ and Dink Dongs finished third and fourth, respectively. Each team comprised six to eight players competing in subcategories such as men’s doubles open, men’s doubles (combined age 90+), mixed doubles (combined age 80+), and women’s doubles (combined age 70+).
Adding to the excitement, Dato’ Mirnawan Nawawi, Malaysia’s national hockey legend, made a special appearance and showcased his newfound passion for pickleball. His team delivered an impressive performance, securing second place in the competition.
ASICS Introduces the GEL-DEDICATE™ 8 PB Pickleball Shoe
As part of the tournament, ASICS unveiled its latest innovation—the GEL-DEDICATE™ 8 PB pickleball shoe. Designed for superior stability and flexibility, the shoe features synthetic leather overlays for enhanced support and a TRUSSTIC™ support unit for improved stability. Its wrap-up outsole allows for unrestricted movement, enabling players to transition confidently between shots.
Elevating Pickleball in Malaysia
The Selangor ASICS Pickleball Open was co-organized by LinkedUp Asia Sdn. Bhd., the State Government of Selangor, and ASICS Malaysia. The event is part of ASICS Malaysia’s efforts to promote grassroots participation and showcase elite talent in the sport.
Boon Tib, a representative of ASICS Malaysia, emphasized the sport’s alignment with the brand’s philosophy: “Pickleball embodies our ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’ ethos, promoting physical fitness and mental well-being through community engagement. Partnering with Selangor allows us to inspire elite athletes and encourage grassroots players to embrace this inclusive sport.”
Also Read: ASICS Unveils the GEL-NIMBUS™ 27: A Cloud-Like Running Experience for Enhanced Comfort
The Future of Pickleball in Malaysia
Melina Hwang, Founder of LinkedUp Asia, highlighted the tournament’s success as evidence of pickleball’s rapid growth in Malaysia. “The overwhelming turnout reflects the sport’s popularity and the community’s passion. We aim to build on this momentum and organize bigger and better tournaments in the future,” she said.
The event featured a total prize pool of over RM15,000, including ASICS shoes, awarded to winners across all categories. With its expertise in organizing successful tournaments, LinkedUp Asia is set to play a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s pickleball scene, ensuring the sport continues to thrive at both elite and grassroots levels.
