Kochi Hosts Successful 10th AIPA National Pickleball Championship 2026
A Landmark Event for Pickleball in India
The 10th AIPA National Pickleball Championship 2026 wrapped up after four days of intense competition from October 1 to 4 in Kochi, marking the first time this event was held in Kerala. Organized by the Federation of Pickleball Associations of Kerala (FPAK), the championship featured participants from all over the nation competing in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles across nine age categories, ranging from under 10 to over 60.
Maharashtra Dominates the Championship
Maharashtra claimed the Junior/Senior Championship Trophy, securing an impressive haul of 12 gold, 11 silver, and 8 bronze medals. Madhya Pradesh followed as the first runners-up with 5 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals, while Tamil Nadu took the second runners-up position with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze, as reported by a press release from AIPA.
Veteran Championship Results
In the Veteran Championship, Maharashtra again emerged victorious, earning 7 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Karnataka secured the first runners-up spot with 4 gold, 7 silver, and 3 bronze, while Madhya Pradesh finished as the second runners-up.
Highlights from Various Age Categories
In the U-10 category, Aaryav Desai from Maharashtra triumphed in Boys Singles, with Rela Parimi from Andhra Pradesh taking the silver. The Boys Doubles gold went to Agastya Shah and Mahir from Maharashtra, while Sandra Samson from Tamil Nadu won the Girls Singles title. In Mixed Doubles, the gold was claimed by Deeya Sambari and Mahir Desai from Maharashtra.
For U-12, Hridan Goenka from Chhattisgarh won Boys Singles, while Ganithra Yogamani from Tamil Nadu took the Girls Singles gold. In U-14, Vidit Panwar from Rajasthan emerged victorious in Boys Singles, and Sanchi Khillare from Maharashtra won the Girls Singles title.
In the U-16 category, Md. Hanain from Kerala won Boys Singles, while Aardhya Satpute from Maharashtra took the Girls Singles gold. Vishal Nishad from Chhattisgarh won the U-18 Boys Singles, and Dishita Banthia from Madhya Pradesh claimed the Girls Singles title in the same age group.
In the 18+ Open category, Deepak Paswan from Jharkhand won Men's Singles, while Sara Yadav from Madhya Pradesh took the Women's Singles gold. The 35+ category saw I K Mahajan from Madhya Pradesh winning Men's Singles, and Sravani Doddala from Karnataka winning Women's Singles.
In the 50+ category, Dinesh Thampi Somnath from Karnataka won Men's Singles, and Sujata Gupta from Maharashtra took the Women's Singles title. Lastly, in the 60+ category, Rakesh Nathwani from Maharashtra won Men's Singles, while Shunila Kapur also from Maharashtra claimed the Women's Singles gold.
Statements from AIPA and FPAK Presidents
Arvind Prabhoo, President of AIPA, expressed that the 10th AIPA Nationals marked a significant milestone for Indian pickleball, showcasing the talent across various age groups. He emphasized Maharashtra's consistent performance and the growing popularity of the sport nationwide. Plans are already in motion to host future championships in Panipat in 2024 and Jammu in 2025, aiming to expand the sport's reach.
Jacob Bijo Daniel, President of FPAK, shared his pride in hosting the event in Kerala, highlighting the participation of over 1,000 athletes and officials. He hopes this championship will inspire a stronger pickleball movement in the region, encouraging more players and communities to engage with the sport.