The APP Tour continued its 2026 international schedule with the Kinto APP Asia Qualifier in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, held in partnership with Pickleball Japan. Spanning three days, the tournament followed a traditional format, featuring Singles on Friday, Gender Doubles on Saturday, and Mixed Doubles on Sunday as players battled for regional honors.
Key Takeaways from Utsunomiya:
- Mauro Garcia secures Men's Singles gold, showcasing his rising star power.
- Bobbi Oshiro doubles up, taking home golds in Women's Singles and Mixed Doubles.
- Keven Wong shines with two golds, including a dominant Men's Doubles performance.
- Brooke Revuelta and Nicola Schoeman pull off a major upset in Women's Doubles.
Mauro Garcia's Meteoric Rise in Men's Singles
The Men's Singles draw saw top seeds live up to their billing, but it was Spain's own Mauro Garcia who truly seized the spotlight. The 18-year-old phenom outmaneuvered the 23-year-old Floridian Jake Bower in straight games in the final, securing gold.
Oshiro's Dominance & Hsieh's Shockwave in Women's Singles
Bobbi Oshiro, a formidable US-based professional, continued her impressive run, adding another gold to her collection. Despite dropping the opening game in the final, Oshiro rallied to overcome Taiwan's Yu-Chieh Hsieh. Hsieh, meanwhile, created fireworks in the semi-finals, stunning fellow professional Brooke Revuelta with a commanding 9-3 victory. Oshiro had dispatched Australia's Nicola Schoeman en route to the final.
Doubles Drama: Mixed & Men's Action
Bobbi Oshiro wasn't content with just one gold! She teamed up with Keven Wong to claim the Mixed Doubles title, defeating Richmond-based duo David Bieger and Lauralei Singsank. This marked a significant milestone for Singsank, earning her first professional medal.
In Men's Doubles, the action was equally intense. Keven Wong and Daniel Moore pulled off a major upset, toppling top seeds Will Wimbish and Roman Estareja. They then controlled the final, cruising past Jake Bower and David Bieger to claim a well-deserved gold.
Revuelta & Schoeman Stun the Field in Women's Doubles
The Women's Doubles bracket delivered one of the weekend's biggest surprises. Brooke Revuelta, a decorated APP Next program player, partnered with Nicola Schoeman to defeat the top-seeded duo of Bobbi Oshiro and Fukunaga Hinano. This impressive win capped a strong tournament for Revuelta, who left Japan with medals in both singles and doubles events.
Next Stop: Malaysia Beckons the APP Tour
With the medals awarded and the standings updated, the global pickleball community now eagerly awaits the next chapter. The APP International Tour shifts its focus to Malaysia for the Leapmotor APP Penang Open in just two weeks. Expect more thrilling action as these international stars continue their quest for glory!
