IT was a double joy for Perry Kuan when he clinched two titles at the Penang Chief Minister’s Cup Pickleball Tournament 2025 at Giant Bayan Baru today.
Perry, 25, partnered with Chu Jia Yi, 24, to win the Open Mixed Doubles for their first victory since picking up the game last July. They overcame Ang Sheng Hao-Kong Wern Yin 21-20, 21-10.
Perry then teamed up with Ko Chih Yo for the first time and went on to clinch the Open Men’s Doubles crown by beating Sim Fong Hao-Tan Wei Cheng on points, winning the first set 21-13 before losing the second set 16-21.
“I just joined random sessions, and I got addicted to pickleball. I wanted to achieve more, so I started to compete in a few tournaments. My first podium was winning the singles at the Siam Pickleball Open 2024 in Bangkok in December.
“I used to play badminton, but I stopped playing the game after being hooked onto pickleball. Now, I just want to stay focused because I believe I can perform better in pickleball.
“I love this new sport, its vibes and how it connects people together, from different sports backgrounds and industries. Everybody gathers here together just because of pickleball. For me, it is a magic sport.
“To pick up pickleball is very easy; you can learn it by the first or second session. It is a sport you can play with anyone – your wife, friends and family – unlike some other sports,” said Perry, a content creator and also a pickleball owner at D’Piazza, Bayan Baru.
While Perry, 25, is deeply involved with pickleball, his partner, Jia Yi, has been contemplating quitting if they failed to reach the podium.
“Perry and I once finished third in a tournament, and after that, we have not achieved any good results. And I have thought of giving it up. But today’s victory has changed my mind,” Jia Yi said.
“We were down 18-20 in the first game, and our opponents needed just one more point to win the game. But Perry encouraged me to fight on, and we eventually won 21-20, thanks to his mental strength,” Jia Yi said.
Organising chairperson Koay Ee Teng expressed her delight at the overwhelming response, which saw nearly 400 participants competing across eight categories.
“Our main objective in holding this tournament is for the community to enjoy. Pickleball is now getting more and more popular. I’ve noticed even those who previously did not play any sports have started to play pickleball. Also, it is encouraging to see a lot of women taking up the sport.
“Initially, we had planned for seven categories but due to overwhelming response, we added another category catering to a combined age of 100 and above,” Koay said.
Each winner received RM1,600, while the runners-up and losing semi-finalists took home RM800 and RM400 respectively.
Present to give away the prizes to the winners were Lau Eng Kee, political secretary to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, representing the chief minister; state Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol, and Ben Teh from redONE Holdings Bhd, Group CSO and co-founder.
Others also present at the closing ceremony included Ewe Chee Way, director of Padang Kota state and Batu Kwan parliamentary constituencies; Mak Tong Lee, chairman of the Jalan Transfer/Jalan Argyll Village Community Management Council (MPKK), Teh Wei Huai, chairman of the Padang Kota Penang Youth Committee; and Gary Poh, the tournament coordinator.
RESULTS (All finals):
Novice Men’s Doubles – Group A
Chew Chun Kai-Ong Yoong bt Chia Chen Dong-Tan Wei Chong 21-15, 21-18.
Novice Men’s Doubles – Group B
Kang Ween Lian-Ng Dian Sheng bt Lyndon Teoh Sin Ghee-Ooi Kwong Soon 21-14, 21-12.
Novice Women’s Doubles
Jenny See Thoe Yen-Ooi Zhi Ling bt Pang Lee Yee-Tan Lee Huang 21-20, 21-13.
Novice Mixed Doubles:
Chia Chen Dong-Kang Ween Cian bt Kong Wern Yin-Nicholas Lim Jing Xiu 21-9, 21-8.
Open Men’s Doubles:
Ko Chih Yo-Perry Kuan bt Sim Fong Hao-Tan Wei Chong 21-13, 16-21.
Open Women’s Doubles:
Camilee Sim Cher Vonn-Kang Ween Cian bt Chan Rui An-Nikki Law Wan Sen 21-18, 21-16.
Open Mixed Doubles:
Chu Jia Yi-Perry Kuan bt Ang Sheng Hao-Kong Wern Yin 21-20, 21-10.
Combined Age of 100 and Above:
Ng Chin Kuang-Sim Teong Sin bt Lim Hwee San-Ng Fook Lian 21-13, 21-20.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En