THE STORY
Shungo Kusakabeis a padel player competing on the world tour while working as a software engineer. He discovered padel during graduate school at Keio University and never looked back.
During graduate school, a trip to Spain brought him face to face with world-level padel. He wanted to compete on a bigger stage. After graduation, instead of a conventional career path, he chose to work as a freelance engineer. That decision led to where he is today.
I loved padel that much. / それだけパデルが好きだった。
He has competed in the All Japan Championship since the very first edition in 2018. Runner-up in the 2nd and 3rd editions, the wall standing in his way was Asier Gago — a Spanish coach who brought padel to Japan. No Japanese player was expected to beat him.
At the 4th edition in 2021, partnering with Leon Aurelius Taira, he finally defeated Asier. After four years of trying, he stood at the top of Japanese padel. He thinks that victory gave courage to a lot of people. He went on to hold the Japan #1 ranking for approximately three years.
Then at the 9th edition in 2025, he won alongside Asier himself — the former rival now his partner. The wall he once had to overcome was standing on the same side.
In 2023, he lost his father while competing overseas. Life can end at any moment. He felt a strong resolve to live his life fully.
Carrying that resolve, he kept competing. Quarterfinals at FIP in Spain, runner-up at Veneto Cup, Sharjah champion. In 2024, he won the APPT Ho Chi Minh Open and reached #5 in Asia Pacific. He also competed in the RCC League in Russia as the only Japanese player, leaving his mark.
He continues to compete across Asia and the world. His goal is to make an impact on the FIP and Premier Padel tours, and to deliver results for Japan in national team competitions. He keeps challenging himself because he truly loves padel. Every day is small progress, like training in a dojo.
Padel brings people together. Being able to create those connections is my greatest joy and my greatest treasure. This sport has limitless potential. / パデルを通して人と人が繋がっていく。そのきっかけを作れていることが、自分にとって一番の幸せであり、一番の財産だと思う。
He organizes padel events across Japan. Nothing makes him happier than hearing 'that was fun' or 'I want to do it again.' He may be the one teaching, but he believes he's the one learning the most.
It's not just about competing. Clinics, facility opening events, exchange sessions with athletes from other sports, junior practice sessions. He continues to bring people together through padel. Even beginners can enjoy a match right away. That low barrier to entry is padel's greatest strength, and every time someone says 'that was fun,' he feels the potential of this sport.
Local partners and venue operators make these events possible. He wants to honor their trust.
MOTTO
Even if it rains, it's on me. / 雨降っても自分のせい
You can't control others. Think about what you can do from your own perspective. Take ownership. He values the feeling of holding the helm of his own life, steering it himself.
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