The PPA Asia Tour made its debut with the Panas Malaysia Open 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur last weekend. While the event’s organization had room for improvement, the level of play delivered by professional athletes was intense and exciting, making it a historic moment for pickleball in Asia.
Pini Lee Secures Triple Crown in Over-50s Division
Pini Lee stood out as the only Triple Crown winner at the tournament. Competing in the women’s 50+ division, she quietly dominated the field. She won gold in singles by defeating Tze Hoh, 11-3, 11-8. Teaming with Elizabeth Wilcox, she then claimed the women’s doubles title, 11-4, 11-9, over Foo Pin and Lay Yong Ong. Pini and Jih Shian Yeo rounded out the sweep by beating Elizabeth Wilcox and Rajan Khemlyani, 11-0, 11-2, in mixed doubles.
Known across Asia, Pini Lee is respected for her consistency and grace. She may not have played on the main court, but for fans, her calm and dominant play confirmed her place as one of Asia’s top senior players.
Giang Trinh Edges Out Hong Kit Wong in Semifinal Thriller
One of the most memorable matches came in the men’s singles semifinal. Giang Trinh of Vietnam battled Hong Kit Wong in a close, tactical match filled with soft shots and strategic placement instead of raw power. After dropping the first game 5-11, Giang Trinh fought back to win 11-7, 11-7.
Both players were exhausted by the end, with Hong Kit Wong collapsing and Trinh crossing the net to share a hug. Trinh then defeated India’s Vanshik Kapadia, 12-10, 11-7, in the final to become the first Vietnamese player to win a PPA Asia men’s singles title.
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Yufei Long’s Grit Leads to Comeback Victory
In the women’s singles final, Yufei Long of Asia faced Nicola Schoeman from Australia in a match filled with emotion and determination. Down one game and facing match point at 10-8, Yufei Long refused to give up. She fought back with strong drives and smart net play, taking the second game and then the decider.
Despite Nicola Schoeman’s impressive effort, Yufei Long’s resilience helped her win the gold medal, marking a major moment for women’s pickleball in Asia.
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Jimmy Liong Proves His Progress on Home Soil
Malaysia’s own Jimmy Liong showed strong form at the event. After training in the United States, he returned home and reached the semifinals of the men’s singles, proving he can compete with Asia’s top players. While he didn’t reach the podium, his performance confirmed his growing status in the sport.
His father, known simply as Liong, also impressed by earning a bronze medal in the men’s over-50 singles. The family’s success hints at more potential medals for Malaysia in future PPA Asia events.
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Building Momentum for Pickleball in Asia
The Panas Malaysia Open 2025 showed the growing talent across Asia. Though many players still trail behind PPA athletes in the United States, the passion and progress are clear. With standout performances from Pini Lee, Giang Trinh, Yufei Long, and Jimmy Liong, the tournament proved Asia is ready to rise in the global pickleball scene.
News in Brief: Panas Malaysia Open 2025
The Panas Malaysia Open 2025 marked the first-ever PPA Asia Tour event. Stars like Pini Lee, Giang Trinh, and Yufei Long delivered standout wins, while Malaysia’s Jimmy Liong showed strong progress. With powerful stories and performances, the tournament proved Asia’s growing place in the pickleball world.