Japan and Qatar win historic gold. Indonesia, Malaysia and Iran also celebrate: “An incredible feeling”

NAGOYA, Giappone – Less than a year ago, they celebrated victory at the first-ever FIP Asia Padel Cup. Today, Kae Tokumoto and Saki Tsukamoto have written another historic chapter for padel and Japan, winning the country’s first women’s gold medal at the Asian Games. The victory came in two sets against Indonesia’s Fitriani Sabatini and Fadona Kusumawati (6-3 6-4), amid the cheers and celebrations of the home crowd that filled the stands at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center.

 

Applauding the winners – and presenting the medals – were Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia; Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation; Mutsumi Teranishi, Vice President of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games Promotion League, AICHI Prefectural Assembly; and Koji Nakatsuka, President of the Japan Padel Association. Among the special guests was also Tre Boston, former NFL player with the Carolina Panthers.

 

“We started with the goal of winning gold, and actually bringing it home makes us incredibly happy,” said Japan’s Tokumoto and Tsukamoto after the final. “The support from everyone, both those who came here to support us and those who sent us messages before and after every match, gave us so much strength. We are both the kind of people who turn support into energy, so a huge thank you to everyone who supported us.” There was also plenty of satisfaction for the runners-up. “We are so happy to have won the silver,” said Sabatini and Kusumawati. “We made history and that is incredible.” In addition to silver, Indonesia also celebrated a bronze medal, thanks to Novela Putria and Beatrice Gumulya’s victory over the Philippines’ Abad/Malazarte.

 

There was also a show in the men’s event, where gold went to Qatari brothers Mashari and Rashed Naif, who beat Malaysia’s Aidan Yunus and Christian Chin 6-3 6-1. “It feels almost unreal, it is something you cannot even explain,” Mashari said after the match. “Winning gold at padel’s Asian Games debut is something huge for us, and I am sure it will not be the last. This is just the beginning, and we will keep working hard.” There is another reason to do so: the next edition of the Asian Games, in 2030, will be held in Qatar. “We will play even better at home because the atmosphere will be incredible. We will be ready; the goal is to win the title again.” Chin, who won silver alongside Yunus, also expressed his satisfaction: “This success is for everyone in Malaysia, for everyone who believed in us and for everyone out there who has a goal. I want our young people to dream, to believe in themselves and to always remember that nothing is impossible.” Completing the podium were Amirmohammad Jamshidi and Farsad Shahi, who won the all-Iranian derby against Golestan/Roghani in two sets (6-3 6-4).