Shungo Kusakabe: The Left-Handed Phenomenon Leading the Rise of Asian Padel
Shungo Kusakabe is a top-ranked professional padel player from Japan who has changed the face of the sport in Asia. Born on November 12, 1994, he is widely known as one of the best padel athletes in the region. Kusakabe works as a software engineer by day, but he transforms into a fierce competitor on the court, holding the top spot in Japan’s national rankings.
From Tennis Beginnings to Padel Mastery
Before he ever stepped into a padel court, Kusakabe spent years training in tennis. He first picked up a tennis racket at age 10 while living in the United States. He practiced hard and competed regularly, playing tennis all the way through his university years.
During his first year of graduate school, Kusakabe tried padel for the first time. The sport is played in an enclosed court with glass walls, combining elements of tennis and squash. His strong tennis background gave him an instant advantage. He mastered the walls quickly, learned the fast reflexes needed for the sport, and decided to switch to padel completely.
Dominating the Japanese National Scene
It did not take long for Kusakabe to reach the very top of the sport in his home country. He earned the No. 1 ranking in Japan and became a three-time All Japan National Champion.
He consistently defeats the best players in the country. In late 2025, he added another massive trophy to his collection. He won the 9th Dunlop Japan Padel Championship alongside his playing partner, proving that he is still the undisputed king of Japanese padel.
| Major Domestic Achievements | Result |
|---|---|
| All Japan National Championship | Three-Time Champion |
| 9th Dunlop Japan Padel Championship | 2025 Champion |
| Domestic Leaderboard Rank | No. 1 Ranked Player in Japan |
Making History on the International Stage
Kusakabe’s success goes way beyond Japan. He regularly plays in worldwide tournaments run by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and shines on the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT).
He made history by winning the APPT Ho Chi Minh Open with his partner Timothy Brown. This was a massive moment, as they were the first all-Asian pair to win a major title on the professional tour.
A Rare and Aggressive Playing Style
What makes Kusakabe so dangerous on the court is his unique style. He is a left-handed athlete who plays on the right side of the court, which is called the “drive” position. Left-handed players are highly prized in padel because they can padel vinci hit powerful overhead smashes right down the middle of the court.
His sponsor, the top Spanish padel brand Black Crown, describes him as an incredibly fast and explosive player. He uses an aggressive style that puts constant pressure on his opponents, leaving them with no time to breathe.
