Japan Announces Winners of Inaugural Pickleball Awards 2025
What's the Score?
In a landmark moment for Japanese pickleball, the winners of the inaugural PICKLEBALL AWARDS JAPAN 2025 were announced this week. Organised by Pickleball One Co., Ltd., the awards recognised nine categories of excellence, ranging from MVP players to community builders and equipment manufacturers. Yuta Funemizu took top honors as the MVP, while over 1,300 public votes helped decide the winners.
Hit it deeper!
The awards were designed to capture the full spectrum of the pickleball ecosystem in Japan. The selection process was a hybrid model, combining the expertise of a selection committee (including representatives from the Japan Pickleball Association) with a public voting period that ran from December 1 to 15. This ensured that the winners reflected both technical excellence and popular support.
On the court, Yuta Funemizu was named Most Valuable Player for his dominance in domestic competition. The future of the sport was acknowledged with Kei Sawaki winning the Future Player Award (U18). Daniel Moore, a legendary figure in global pickleball, received the Best Coach Award for his tireless work in player development across the archipelago.
Commercial and community entities were also celebrated. JOOLA won the Best Brand Award, with their Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV taking Best Competition Paddle. The VATIC Pro Prism was named Best Beginner Paddle. Importantly, the "Outstanding Circle Award" recognised three local groups—Hakone Pickleball, Chiba Prefecture Pickleball Association, and NAGOYA PICKLES—highlighting the importance of local organizers in the sport's growth.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Awards ceremonies are often dismissed as pageantry, but in a developing market, they are essential for legitimacy. By formalising a "Hall of Fame" style recognition system, Japan is creating heroes and history. Recognising specific paddles and brands also signals to the industry that Japan is a mature commercial market worth investing in.
The inclusion of "Circle Awards" is culturally significant; it reinforces the Japanese emphasis on group harmony and community effort, ensuring that the grassroots organizers feel just as valued as the star athletes.