KUCHING: The inaugural WPC Open (Sarawak) 2025 recently made history as it attracted more than 190 players to the city from September 6 to 7.
The prestigious tournament was held at Pikabol, Kuching, marking the first time the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) has staged an event in Sarawak.
Two competitive levels were contested across various age groups, namely the Open Category for elite and advanced players, and Intermediate Plus for players with a Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) ranking of 3.99 and below.
The Podium Project’s Director, Emmanuel David, said the event was a significant achievement for the local pickleball scene.
“This tournament is already an accomplishment, bringing the prestigious WPC to Kuching where players can not only compete but also earn World Pickleball Ranking points and the Global Pickleball Ranking.
“I am happy to see the strong turnout of players who made this event possible,” he said in a statement issued today.
He added that the Podium Project will continue to work with sponsors to bring more high-level tournaments to Sarawak.
“To produce high-performance players who can compete with the best globally, we need platforms that elevate them mentally and skillfully.
“Exposure is the key to unlocking the full potential of our own players,” he said.
Fo the record, champions of the tournament included Ming Kiong Ng and Mohd Faizal Othman in the Men’s Doubles 19+ Open, Elvin Choo and Kenny Ngui Tzy Seng in the Men’s Doubles 19+ Intermediate Plus, Keevan Raj and Mohd Faizal Othman in the Men’s Doubles 35+ Open, Abang Zikri Abang Kiprawi and Shaifful Sapian in the Men’s Doubles 35+ Intermediate Plus, and Danny Tan Tian Yaik and Ting Hu Haur in the Men’s Doubles 50+ Open.
In the singles categories, champions were Irshad Mustafa in the Men’s Singles 19+ Open, Ng Ming Kiong in the Men’s Singles 19+ Intermediate Plus, Gilbert Yeo in the Men’s Singles 35+ Open, Danny Tan Tian Yaik in the Men’s Singles 50+ Open, and Belinda Tan in the Women’s Singles 19+ Open.
Mixed Doubles champions included Danny Lee and Lydia Yen Ling Lau in the 19+ Intermediate Plus, Tang Xiao Li and Andrew Soo in the 35+ Open, Belinda Tan and Lim Kai Sien in the 35+ Intermediate Plus, and Danny Tan Tian Yaik and Maggie Ng in the 50+ Open.
In the women’s doubles categories, Tang Xiao Li and Maggie Ng were crowned champions in the 19+ Open, Ho Sing Yen and Soffynna Shareen Aminudine in the 19+ Intermediate Plus, and Saptuyah Ibrahim and Monaliza Ibrahim in the 50+ Open.
