Megan Fudge Wins Pickleball Gold in Chengdu: Professional pickleball player Megan Fudge recently wrapped up a whirlwind week in Chengdu, China, where she competed in a top-level international tournament and soaked in local culture, food, and unforgettable panda experiences. Despite battling illness and missing Easter with her family, she returned home with gold in women’s doubles and her heart full.
Pickleball, Pandas, and Pandemonium
Megan Fudge’s visit to Chengdu was packed to the rafters. After a long journey halfway across the world, she landed in the “happiest city in China” for a week filled with pickleball matches, international clinics, and local flavors that left a lasting impression.
“The week flew by in the blink of an eye. After a long journey, my international pickleball tour brought me to Chengdu, China, for an unforgettable week of culture, competition, and connection.” – (Fudge)
Known for its lush greenery and warm people, Chengdu quickly won over Megan Fudge’s heart. She called it one of her favorite places ever. The city, despite being huge, was as peaceful as a cup of hot chai on a rainy day.
Life Off the Court
Megan Fudge had to get the hang of Chinese apps like WeChat and Alipay for everything from transport to food. It was like jumping into the deep end of daily life in China, but she managed it like a seasoned traveler.
“Navigating China meant adapting to WeChat and Alipay, essential tools for transportation, ordering food, and making any kind of payment. It was a crash course in daily life here and made the experience feel all the more immersive.” – (Fudge)
One of the high points off court was her visit to the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary. From giant pandas munching on bamboo to red pandas dozing off like lazy Sunday afternoons, the experience melted her heart. Though she missed her children Lily and JR, FaceTime saved the day.
“Seeing giant pandas chewing bamboo, teenage pandas wrestling, and red pandas napping was heart-melting. I felt a twinge of mom guilt going without Lily and JR, since pandas are their favorite. But thanks to FaceTime, I brought them along virtually, sharing the joy in real time.” – (Fudge)
High-Level Competition and Coaching
On court, Megan Fudge faced fierce competition, with strong players from the United States and Australia giving it their all. Through her work with Franklin Pickleball, she also coached two clinics that brought together eager players from across Asia.
“On the pickleball court, the level of play at this China pickleball tournament was high, especially from the strong group of American and Australian players. Through my Franklin Pickleball family, I was honored to coach two international pickleball clinics, meeting passionate players and fans from across Asia and beyond.” – (Fudge)
Her tastebuds also got a workout when she tried Sichuan pepper. The spice gave her a mouth-numbing surprise she won’t forget in a hurry.
“And then… I met Sichuan pepper. A true local experience—one that made my whole mouth tingle with a numbing, buzzing sensation. It’s not just spicy; it’s a full-on mouth adventure. An experience, but not one I’ll be eager to repeat!” – (Fudge)
Gold Medal and a Long Journey Home
After falling ill with a head cold and losing in mixed doubles, Megan Fudge made the hard call to withdraw from singles to rest for the women’s doubles final. That call turned out to be a blessing in disguise—she and her partner Pei struck gold.
“By the end of the week, I came down with a tough head cold. After a loss in mixed doubles, I made the hard but smart choice to withdraw from singles and rest up for the women’s doubles final. That decision paid off—Pei and I won gold, and the crowd’s energy was unreal. I’ve never taken so many selfies in my life—pickleball fans in China are next-level, and my cheeks actually hurt from smiling.” – (Fudge)
After collecting her fancy gold medal and loads of panda gifts, she took an 18-hour flight back to Orlando, then drove three more hours to Naples. Even though she missed Easter with her family, knowing they were celebrating happily made it a little easier to bear.
“It was tough missing Easter with them or just being away from them overall, but knowing they were celebrating with friends and having a great time made it a little easier.” – (Fudge)
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Megan Fudge said the entire trip reminded her why she plays this game—not just for trophies but for the beautiful people, diverse cultures, and memories that come along for the ride.
“This journey reminded me why I love this sport—not just for the competition, but for the connections, the culture, and the chance to live this dream with my family. Grateful for every moment on this wild ride of pickleball travel and adventure.” – (Fudge)
News in Brief: Megan Fudge Wins Pickleball Gold in Chengdu
Megan Fudge won gold in women’s doubles at a major pickleball tournament in Chengdu, China. She also coached clinics, explored local life, and visited the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary. Despite a cold and long travel, she returned home smiling, grateful for the experiences and connections pickleball continues to bring.