Yeo Jih-Shian Pickleball Triple Crown: Singapore’s Yeo Jih-Shian captured three gold medals at the PPA event in Hong Kong, making him the only player to achieve a Triple Crown at the tournament. The senior athlete, over 50, earned victories in singles, men’s doubles with Hian Tee, and mixed doubles with Pini.
Winning the Triple Crown
When asked which medal meant the most, Yeo said,
“All of them meant a lot to me, since this was my first triple crown.”
His performance in Hong Kong built on his earlier singles victory in Singapore.
Training and Endurance
Yeo credited his success to steady training and supportive partners.
“I had two excellent partners, Hian Tee in men’s doubles and Pini in mixed doubles,”(Yeo Jih-Shian).
He shared that he drills multiple times a week to build stamina.
“My drilling sessions are usually more tiring than playing sessions and once a week, I drill in the afternoon then play in the evening, which helps me to develop my physical endurance.”
For Yeo, mental toughness matters as much as physical strength.
“The slightest variance in your touch and position can make the difference between a well-placed dink and a pop up, and focus and ability to react quickly are critical in a firefight.”
He added,
“I’m by nature a generally positive person—I don’t dwell too much on past errors, focus on the current point and what I can do going forward, and try to take every match lost as an opportunity to learn from it and improve.”
Approach to Singles
Yeo explained his strategy for singles.
“I sometimes skip the singles event in tournaments if the event is before the doubles events, as it can be unfair for my partners if I’m not in my best shape for the doubles events.”
He added that he trained specifically for singles before Hong Kong.
“The HK tournament came a few weeks after I had already played and won a singles event in Singapore and I made sure to train and practise specifically for singles in the period leading up to HK to build on that momentum.”
Tournament Experience
Reflecting on PPA Asia’s organization, Yeo noted progress.
“The venue in HK was an improvement over the first KL event, as there were seats and an area for players to wait. Players were also clearer about when their match was coming up. Of course the air-conditioning makes the venue a lot more comfortable too.”
He also suggested improvements:
Publish schedules and prize money earlier.
Group matches to reduce waiting time.
Add prize money for senior categories, including women’s 50+.
“With each tournament, the PPA tournaments in Asia will continue to improve,” Yeo said. “I hope that they will give more consideration to other players in addition to the 19+ pros.”
Future Plans
Yeo confirmed his next step:
“I plan to play the PPA KL Cup, given that will the first PPA Cup in Asia. I also plan to play a few other tournaments, though those are still plans in progress.”
Sponsorship Support
Yeo expressed gratitude to his sponsor.
“Extremely helpful, and I’m immensely grateful to Sypik. The support by Sypik for senior players is impactful and groundbreaking, and augers well for the sports industry.”(Yeo Jih-Shian)
He added that he looks forward to Sypik’s training trip in Vietnam this October.
Advice to Players
Yeo offered encouragement to all players.
“Stay positive and calm on the courts no matter how you are doing. Stay grounded and keep looking to improve and drill, drill, drill.”
He also stressed balance.
“Remember that there is life too outside of pickleball, and friends are more important than any pickleball match.”
Significance
Yeo’s Triple Crown shows that senior players remain strong contenders at top levels of pickleball. His achievements inspire athletes across Asia and highlight the growing role of inclusivity and support in the sport.
News in Brief: Yeo Jih-Shian Pickleball Triple Crown
Yeo Jih-Shian from Singapore won a Triple Crown at the PPA Hong Kong event, claiming gold in singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. He credited training, positive mindset, and partner support for his success. Yeo plans to compete at the PPA KL Cup later this year with continued support from sponsor Sypik.
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