Yuki Goto’s Lightning Rise in Pickleball: Yuki Goto, a rising star in the world of pickleball, is making headlines as she trains to compete for a national title. Remarkably, Goto has only been playing the sport for about seven months, having picked it up this past February. Despite her limited experience, she has already established herself as a formidable competitor, winning the 2024 New Mexico State Games mixed doubles title alongside her partner, Andrew Person.
A New Chapter in the U.S.
Goto’s journey to success in pickleball comes after a significant life transition. Having moved from Japan to the United States just a year and a half ago with her husband, who is working in the U.S., Goto has been adapting not just to a new sport but to a whole new way of life. Learning a new language and culture has been challenging, but her drive to excel on the pickleball court speaks volumes about her resilience.
Rediscovering Her Love for Sport
Her introduction to pickleball happened almost by chance. One day, she saw a game being played at a local rec center and was immediately drawn to the energy and connection shared by players. Goto, who has a decade-long background in “soft tennis,” found herself progressing rapidly.
“I stopped playing soft tennis and other sports 20 years ago because I was tired of a very competitive world. I hated the sport I loved so much. I felt like I had lost a great friend and that feeling still haunted me from time to time, even though I was over 40 years old.” – (Goto)
“Now my heart is healed with the feeling that I have made up with my best friend, sports. I want to continue to have fun and stay healthy in body and mind.” – (Goto)
Training for Excellence
Goto’s daily schedule is intense. She trains four hours a day, five days a week, fully committing herself to the upcoming national tournament in November. Her focus and work ethic are undeniable, and the El Paso community has thrown its support behind her. As she works toward competing on the national stage, Goto is already thinking ahead, planning to introduce pickleball to friends back in Japan when she returns.
News in Brief: Yuki Goto’s Lightning Rise in Pickleball
Yuki Goto, a pickleball player from El Paso, Texas, is making strides after just seven months in the sport. Having recently won the 2024 New Mexico State Games mixed doubles title with Andrew Person, she now trains intensively for a national tournament in November. Originally from Japan, Goto plans to bring her love for pickleball back to her home country, where she aims to teach the sport to friends and family.
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