Jack Wong Hong-kit, Kim Eunggwon Clinch Gold in PPA Tour Australia’s QLD Pickleball Slam
Hong Kong’s Jack Wong Hong-kit and Korea’s Kim Eunggwon have had some success in the PPA Tour Asia, netting podium finishes at the MB Vietnam Open (bronze), Sansan Fukuoka Open (bronze), and Hong Kong Open (silver). Little wonder they are tied at no. 1 in the PPA Tour Asia rankings for Men’s Doubles.
The two then carried over their dynamic partnership to the PPA Tour Australia, where they teamed up to win gold in the Pro Men’s Doubles 5.0 and Above category of PPA Tour Australia: QLD Pickleball Slam + MLPA #4 in Brisbane on Sunday. Hong-kit and Eunggwon defeated the duo of Joseph Wild and George Wall in the Final—11-7, 11-7—to win the title. Wall, incidentally, is also tied with Hong-kit and Eunggwon for the top spot in Men’s Doubles in the latest PPA Tour Asia.
Hong-kit and Eunggwon controlled the net in the first set and repeatedly placed precise shots to win, 11-7. The second set was much like the first, with the Asian duo keeping pressure on Wild and Wall to win 11-7, and secure the championship. With the gold-medal finish, Hong-kit and Eunggwon underscored their status not just as Asia’s elite, but also as global stars capable of going toe-to-toe against anyone, anywhere.
Meanwhile, the pair of Santhosh Narayanan and Purple Jesus Manthou outclassed the duo of Prycen Haas and Lucas Pascoe, 11-5, 11-9, to win the bronze. Narayanan and Manthou took control early, showing consistency in every rally, and relying on precise shots and smart positioning to earn the win. The second set was much closer, with Haas and Pascoe piling on the pressure. But Narayanan and Manthou kept their composure to fend off their opponents and claim bronze.
