Sonu Kumar Vishwarma’s Pickleball Journey: Sonu Kumar Vishwarma, a 22-year-old from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, has made his mark in Indian pickleball. After a challenging start playing on a rooftop, he now competes at the highest level, finishing his first season with the Chennai Super Champs at the World Pickleball League.
A Passion Born in Unlikely Places
Sonu’s journey began on the rooftop of an unused hospital, where he and his friends created a makeshift court. At the time, pickleball was little known in India, but Sonu quickly grew attached to the sport.
“When I started pickleball, it wasn’t much of a craze, but somehow, I got attached to the sport and started playing it for fun,” he said in an interview with The Bridge.
His first competitive experience came at a tournament in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, which ignited his passion. Although he didn’t win, it pushed him to improve. His big breakthrough came post-COVID when he won a gold medal at the ROIP tournament.
“That win was big for me because it was a high-profile tournament, and many people were there to watch me play.” – (sonu)
Overcoming Setbacks and Finding New Opportunities
Despite his success, Sonu struggled to find exposure. Coming from Jharkhand, where facilities were limited, he feared his opportunities were slipping away.
“I got some limelight, but the exposure wasn’t great because I was from a small state and was already 20.” – (sonu)
Just as he was ready to quit, a friend convinced him to compete in the Smash League. It was meant to be his final tournament, but fate had other plans. Arvind Prabhoo, Chairman of the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), noticed Sonu’s talent and invited him to Mumbai.
“Arvind Prabhoo called me. He told me to come to Mumbai because they wanted me to turn professional, and they would help me with that.” – (sonu)
With AIPA’s support, Sonu convinced his parents to let him train in Mumbai for a year. There, he received professional coaching, structured training, and exposure to top-level competition.
Becoming a National Champion
Training with India’s best players changed Sonu’s approach.
“The thing I learned the most from top players is how they focus during a tournament, on their schedule, sleep, diet, and training. That made a big difference for me.” – (sonu)
His dedication paid off when he won gold at WPC Mumbai, followed by another gold at the Nationals. These victories solidified his status as one of India’s top pickleball players.
“For me, WPC Mumbai was my biggest achievement. I have won local tournaments before, but this was special.” – (sonu)
Looking Ahead to a Bright Future
With pickleball growing rapidly in India and globally, Sonu believes the sport will soon be in the Olympics.
“This sport has already had a big boom in the last year, and I’m sure it will enter the Olympics. If not this edition, maybe the next one.” – (sonu)
From playing on a rooftop in Dhanbad to winning national titles and competing internationally, Sonu’s story is one of resilience and determination. At just 22, his journey is only beginning, and he could become a leading figure in Indian pickleball.
News in Brief: Sonu Kumar Vishwarma’s Pickleball Journey
Sonu Kumar Vishwarma, a 22-year-old from Jharkhand, started playing pickleball on a rooftop before turning professional.
After struggling for exposure, he moved to Mumbai with AIPA’s support, winning major titles. Now competing in the World Pickleball League, Sonu sees a bright future for himself and the sport.
ALSO READ: Jharkhand’s Rising Pickleball Star Joins Chennai Super Champs in World Pickleball League
