Caught Up in a Happy Pickle: Nikkei Games Tournament Unites Generations

By KATY YONEMURA and ROGER KINOSHITA

On July 10, the Nikkei Games’ third annual Pickleball Tournament was held after a two-year hiatus due to COVID.

The tournament was once again held at the Tustin Pickleball Courts, which have 10 dedicated courts. The event began with an early 6:30 a.m. player check-in.  

Games started after a tribute and championship court-naming ceremony for Lonnie Kojima, a pickleball player and coach who had conducted free clinics for new players at previous Nikkei Games. His daughter, Nichole, and his son, Beau Kojima, a pro-level pickleball player, were in attendance.

Co-chaired by Roger Kinoshita and Katy Yonemura, the events for the tournament were formed with the Nikkei Games motto of “Games for the Generations” in mind, with the youngest player participating at age 12 and the oldest at age 81! Many parents partnered with their children and others partnered with aunts, uncles and cousins. Over 75 spectators lined the court to cheer on their friends and family.

Medals were awarded to the top three teams, but all players went home as winners because they each received a prize that included pickleball paddles, gift cards, Japanese snacks, musubi makers and other fun items. Over $1,000 of merchandise was generously donated by players, local Japanese American businesses and sport companies.

Below are the results:

Women’s 12+ 3.0 Winners

1^st:  Sara Hatanaka & Kay Yamamoto

2^nd:  Frances Yamasaki & Michelle Yamasaki

3^rd:  Christine Do & Alice Wang

Women’s 12+ 3.5 Winners

1^st:  Kathleen Louie & Courtney Horvath

2^nd:  Courteney Nojiri & Kimberly Parham

3^rd:  Kelli Kato & HQ Nguyen

Women’s 60+ 4.5 Winners

1^st:  Marcia Neishi & Nancy Stevens

2^nd:  Joyce Eng & Vicki Cline

3^rd:  Katy Yonemura & Laurel Dennis

Men’s 60+ 3.0 Winners

1^st:  Gary Itano & Donny Yep

2^nd:  Walt Ando U& Collin Yamauchi

3^rd:  Kenny Fukumoto & Katsuo Gibo

Men’s 12+ 4.0 Winners

1^st:  Wayley Louie & Eric Lim

2^nd:  Shota Yamamoto & Michael McClean

3^rd:  Brian Lee & Nicholas Wong

Mixed 12+ 3.0 Winners

1^st:  Caroline Wong & Eric Lim

2^nd:  Julie Yu & Howard Yu

3^rd:  Stephanie Kato & Walt Ando

Mixed 12+ 3.5 Winners

1^st:  Debbie Thai & Bob Ree

2^nd:  Kathleen Louie & Wayley Louie

3^rd:  Courteney Nojiri & Mathew Wong

Mixed 12+ 4.0 Winners

1^st:  Susan Garibay & Shah Nasrullah

2^nd:  Ashley Smith & Brian Lee

3^rd:  Mari Nozaki & Shota Yamamoto

Mixed 60+ 3.0 Winners

1^st:  Lichun Chou & Gary Itano

2^nd:  Arlene Ishino & Glenn Ishino

3^rd:  Mabel Yawata & DeWayne Ichiriu

Mixed 60+ 3.5 Winners

1^st:  Katy Yamamoto & Kevin Kunisaki

2^nd:  Sara Hatanaka & Bob Omatsu

3^rd:  Dianne Kobayashi & Theodore Teacher

Mixed 60+ 4.5 Winners

1^st:  Nancy Stevens & Robert Martinez

2^nd:  Lisa Sigaty & Jeff Louie

3^rd:  Marcia Neishi & Jerry Koyama

Photos by Heston Quan