KUALA LUMPUR – Pickleball officially ascended to a major competitive sport in Malaysia with the resounding success of the inaugural Paramount Cup 2025. Hosted by Paramount Property, the four-day tournament delivered a spectacular showcase of world-class athleticism, drawing more than 700 players and hundreds of enthusiastic fans to the courts of the PLAYA Racquet Club @ PARC Subang. The event saw fierce battles across 17 categories, all competing for a record-breaking RM112,500 prize pool, one of the largest in the region.
The tournament marked a pivotal moment in Malaysia’s sporting calendar, coinciding with the grand opening of the PLAYA Racquet Club @ PARC Subang, the country’s first purpose-built pickleball hub. More than just a competition, the Paramount Cup 2025 was a vibrant festival of sport, community, and connection, perfectly embodying the inclusive and high-energy spirit of the world’s fastest-growing racquet sport.
Global Stars Test Local Grit
The championship featured a stellar international line-up, validating the tournament’s premier status. Top players from around the globe descended on Subang, including India’s Vanshik Kapadia and Tejas Mahajan; Australians Kyle Stoker, Nancy Riley, and Josh Chia; and US competitors Roman Estareja and Jas Almaguer. They were joined by Asia’s elite female players, such as Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-Chieh (Asia’s No.6), Thailand’s Tarie Caouette (Thailand’s No.1), and Korea’s top-ranked female player, Mihae Kwon.
Against this international field, Malaysia’s rapidly rising stars proved their capability, holding their own and often securing podium spots, signalling a new era for local pickleball.
Highlights of the Open Categories
The competitive categories provided non-stop thrills for the spectators.
In the highly competitive Open 19+ Men’s Singles, India’s Tejas Mahajan claimed the title after a thrilling final. Significantly, Malaysia’s Syabil Shaharudin secured the first runner-up spot, finishing ahead of India’s Kuldip Ravindra, a powerful statement about Malaysia’s growing dominance on home turf.
The Open 19+ Men’s Doubles saw the Indian duo of Vanshik Kapadia and Tejas Mahajan take the gold. The local pairing of Khoo Er Yang and Syabil Shaharudin finished as first runner-up after a fiercely contested final, showcasing impressive homegrown power and precision.
The Open 19+ Women’s Doubles crown went to Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-Chieh and Chang Maggie. Malaysian fans were particularly impressed by the commanding performance of national squash icon turned pickleballer, Delia Arnold, and her partner Sieu Ee Toi, who secured third place. Their success signals that Malaysian women are fast emerging as regional contenders in the sport.
An Intergenerational Celebration
True to pickleball’s inclusive nature, the tournament saw high levels of competition and camaraderie in the veteran categories, where experience met precision.
In the Open 45+ Men’s Doubles, Indonesia’s Edy Kurniawan and Gusti Ngurah Putra Haribawa claimed the title. Malaysia’s team secured two podium spots here: Keevan Raj and Azizul Azhar Bin Ahmad were first runner-up, while Lim Ben Tah and Yap Cheng Xing claimed third place.
The inclusive spirit continued into the Open 45+ Mixed Doubles. Indonesia’s Gusti Ngurah Putra Haribawa and Pini Lee (Singapore) delivered a commanding performance to capture gold. The Malaysian duo of Danny Tan and Connie Chan fought hard for first runner-up, with Jason Wong Sai Kong and Maggie Ng claiming third place, successfully reinforcing the Paramount Cup’s vision of uniting players across generations.
The tournament reached its dramatic peak with the Open 19+ Mixed Doubles. The top-seeded pairing of Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-Chieh and India’s Vanshik Kapadia delivered a thrilling masterclass to lift the championship title. The dynamic pairing of Malaysia’s Colin Wong and the United States’ Jas Almaguer fought fiercely to claim third place, an achievement that celebrated both international collaboration and Malaysian pride on home soil.
Building Wellness and Unity Through Sport
The vision of Paramount Property, The People’s Developer, was perfectly realized through the event’s success in fostering community engagement.
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Paramount Property CEO, Chee Siew Pin, noted that the inaugural tournament surpassed all expectations. “Seeing Malaysian players rise to the occasion against top international talent is exactly what we envisioned—a platform that celebrates competition, community, and connection,” he said. “We were equally inspired by the strong public turnout, with people coming to witness the matches and experience the excitement firsthand. The event truly brought people of all ages together, from families and youth to senior enthusiasts, reflecting the intergenerational spirit that pickleball embodies. As The People’s Developer, we’re proud to have built not just homes and spaces, but experiences that inspire wellness and unity through sport.”
Brian Choo, Director of PLAYA Racquet Club, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the electric atmosphere. “The Open categories showcased world-class pickleball right here on Malaysian soil, and our local players proved they belong on that stage. PLAYA was designed to bring sport and lifestyle together—and this tournament showed just how powerful that combination can be,” he added. The fusion of world-class facilities with vibrant “beach-club vibes” at the new venue created a unique and appealing destination for both elite athletes and casual enthusiasts.
