Yuta Funemizu’s Pickleball Journey: Japan’s Yuta Funemizu, a former soft tennis star, is now working hard to build his career in American professional pickleball. After joining the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball earlier this year, Funemizu is facing challenges and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support his travel and tournament costs.
A New Chapter in the United States
Yuta Funemizu made history as the first Japanese player to join both the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. He was drafted by the Miami Pickleball Club in March. However, months later, Funemizu is growing frustrated with limited match time and slow career progress in the U.S. pickleball scene.
The 31-year-old athlete has taken action by starting a crowdfunding project. The funds will help him enter more tournaments and stay active on tour.
“I hope my donors will enjoy, with me, this journey I am making to the world’s top place,” Yuta Funemizu told the Asahi Shimbun.
A Career Built on Dedication
Funemizu’s sports career is based on hard work and perseverance. While still a student at Waseda University, he represented Japan’s national soft tennis team and helped win a world title.
Later, he played professionally for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation—now known as NTT West Inc.—where he became one of the top soft tennis players in Japan.
Despite his success, recognition was limited.
“We were never in the spotlight, even after winning 10 successive victories in the Japan (soft tennis) league,” Funemizu said.
Discovering Pickleball and Going All-In
Yuta Funemizu discovered pickleball with the help of Soichiro Minami, founder of BizReach Inc. The sport quickly became a passion. Though it was a big shift from soft tennis, Funemizu was ready for the challenge.
“I found the sport so appealing that I decided it was worthwhile to stake my life on going after it,” Funemizu said.
He set an ambitious goal—to gain skills in one year that most players take several years to master.
He promised himself he would “compete in more matches than anybody else and acquire skills in a year that it would normally take three or four years to master.”
Seeking Support for the Next Step
Playing at the highest level in a new country is expensive. From travel to training costs, the financial burden is high. This is why Yuta Funemizu is seeking help from fans and supporters.
He hopes his journey will inspire others and show how determination can turn dreams into reality.
What Lies Ahead
Yuta Funemizu’s story reflects the challenges many athletes face when switching sports or countries. His hard work and belief in himself show he is serious about reaching the top. With support from donors and more match experience, his chances of success in the pickleball world remain strong.
News in Brief: Yuta Funemizu’s Pickleball Journey
Japanese athlete Yuta Funemizu is pushing to succeed in U.S. pro pickleball. After joining the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, he has started crowdfunding to support his journey. With a strong sports background and deep commitment, Funemizu is aiming to break through and reach the top of the game.
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