Kavya J Pickleball Olympic Dream: Kavya J, a 26-year-old full-time pickleball coach and competitor, will take part in the Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay 2025, India’s first PWR 1000 tournament, in Chennai. She will compete in women’s singles and doubles, marking a major milestone in her career.
Early Journey in Pickleball
Kavya J discovered pickleball in 2018 at her college in Bangalore. “For the first year, I struggled. But after that, I started winning medals, which boosted my confidence,” she said. Originally balancing badminton and a corporate job, she gradually shifted her focus entirely to pickleball.
Opportunities in the sport were limited initially, but the scene has grown rapidly. “From three or four years ago, when there were just a handful of courts, today we have hundreds, and thousands of players are actively participating,” she explained.
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Coaching and Support
The sport’s growth encouraged Kavya J to become a full-time coach. “I quit my job and started coaching, and now I have a lot of students under me. Go Rally has played a big role in my journey, supporting and sponsoring me for tournaments, while also boosting my energy in coaching sessions,” she said.
Aiming for the Olympics
Kavya J also has a background in badminton, representing Bangalore University and competing at the state level. But her focus is now entirely on pickleball. “I want to continue as a long-term expert in pickleball. My goal is to develop my students into skilled players in India and encourage them to compete internationally. Personally, I aspire to participate in the Asian Games and the Olympics. Even though it’s not an Olympic sport yet, when it is, I should be there to represent India,” she said.
Preparing for Chennai Tournament
As she gears up for the Rise Up Championship, Kavya J is excited to test her skills against top players. She sees the event as more than a tournament—it is a step toward achieving her long-term goals in the sport.
News in Brief: Kavya J Pickleball Olympic Dream
Kavya J, a 26-year-old pickleball coach and competitor, will play in India’s first PWR 1000 tournament, the Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay 2025 in Chennai. She competes in singles and doubles and aims to grow as a player and coach, with long-term goals including the Asian Games and Olympics.
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