3rd pickleball fundraiser held ahead of World Cup

The NMI National Pickleball Team is gearing up to compete in its first-ever international competition—the Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6 and wrapped up their third pickleball fundraising event on Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Saipan Ultimate Pickleball Hub. The CNMI delegation totals 43, with 28 players and 15 supporters. There's a youth team, a junior team, an open team, a senior team, and a masters team.

In the 4.0 division, Richard Asuncion placed first and Joseph placed second in the men’s singles category. Mihoko Suzuki and Erica won the women’s doubles, followed by Marivic Dunlop and Yoyo in second place. Asuncion and Dong won the men’s doubles, followed by Donn Dunlop and Levi in second place. And in the mixed doubles, Richard and Erica placed first, followed by Eric and Leah in second place.

In the 3.5 division, Russ placed first and Vince C. placed second in the men’s singles category. Leslie and Leah won the women’s doubles, followed by Clarissa Palumar and Jocelyn in second place; Erlwin Aguirre and Russ won the men’s doubles, followed by Tevin and Paul in second place. And in the mixed doubles, Sean and Lisa placed first, followed by Quina and Angelo in second place.

In the 3.0 division, James Clemente and Donny Rivera placed first in men’s singles, followed by Eduardo Baltazar in second place; in the women’s singles, Quina Viana placed first, followed by Clarissa Palumar in second; Cha and Catherine won the women’s doubles, followed by Jaeden and Aria in second place; and in the mixed doubles, Eduardo and Rochelle placed first, followed by Cha and Jun in second place.

Listen to 3.0 women’s singles winner Quina Viana, 4.0 men’s singles winner Richard Asuncion, and NMI Pickleball Federation president Nelson Krum during the finals night to learn more.