If you didn't attend the First USAPA National Tournament this past November, you may not yet know who this young man is.  But this most likely won't be the last time you see his name, if you're interested in who's who among the top players in the sport.

Jagan Subhas won Gold in the Men's Open Singles competition and Gold with Fran Myer in the 19+ Mixed Doubles at the National Tournament.  At only 27 years of age, Jagan has fixed his attention on earning a spot among the upper echelon of players.  That's a mighty ambitious goal.  Who is this young man?

Jagan grew up in India until the age of 16 and played a lot of cricket as a young boy.  In 2007, then living in the State of Washington, Jagan went to the gym to exercise and play some basketball.  There was no one around for a pick-up game, but he noticed some folks playing pickleball.  Without anything better to do, he decided to give it a try.  He liked it instantly.

Combining his focus and determination with a training and diet program, Jagan spent long hours developing his pickleball skills. He credits his wife with the patience she showed to not only support his new passion, but even encourage him to do more to prepare himself.  To compete in the singles event, he trained for six months, playing every day, sometimes for eight hours straight, so that he could increase his endurance as well as his physical skill.  Mark Friedenberg, who is also from the Seattle area and has played both with and against Jagan, notes that he's impressed with (and, truth be known, a little jealous of) Jagan's speed to the ball as well as his sportsmanship.  He's always respectful of both his partner and his opponents.

Not surprising for someone as goal oriented as Jagan, his favorite pickleball experience to date has been winning the Gold at the National Tournament.  On the flip side, his greatest challenge was in figuring out how to defeat his final opponent, whom he knows quite well and who, Jagan says, "knows all my tricks.  I really had to pull something out of my hat to beat him."  Another challenge for him at the tournament was playing with a highly skilled doubles partner who suddenly lost his serve.  Not having seen that before, Jagan was confused and frustrated, but realized that he had to work with his partner to figure out how to proceed.  Pickleball offers us some useful life lessons.

Although Jagan has played cricket, basketball, volleyball and softball, he says "I would have to say I have pretty much given up all these other sports after I started to play pickleball. I just play pickleball all the time now. It's pretty much where I find comfort in my life. Whenever I have a tough time at work or home, I just go to the gym and start playing pickleball and I forget about everything.  I don't think I can ever be without playing pickleball.

In describing himself, Jagan says he is a very quiet person until you get to know him.  Then he's friendly and likes to have fun.  He adds, "One thing I really hate is losing. It doesn't matter what game or sport I play, I always want to win.  There is no such thing as playing sport just for fun in my world."

Jagan's goals?  To defend his Men's Singles Gold in the next USAPA National Tournament and finish high in the Men's Doubles.  With his determination and work ethic, his goals certainly look achievable.  Good luck, Jagan!

 

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