Surya akash Pokala International & Nationals Winner
Surya Akash Pokala
International & Nationals Winner Sports Athlete | Tennis | Soft Tennis | Pickleball | Collegiate Sports Leader
Surya Akash Pokala is an Indian international racquet sports athlete specializing in tennis, soft tennis, and pickleball. Originally from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, he has built a reputation through years of dedication, discipline, and competitive success across multiple racquet sports disciplines.
Known for his hardworking mentality, athletic versatility, leadership qualities, and humble personality, Surya Akash continues to inspire athletes through his journey from India’s tennis courts to international soft tennis competitions and won nationals competitive pickleball tournaments in the United States.
Early Life & Introduction to Sports
Surya Akash Pokala was born and raised in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, where his passion for racquet sports began at a young age. Inspired by competitive athletes and local training environments, he started practicing tennis with strong determination and commitment.
From childhood, he spent countless hours training, traveling for tournaments, balancing academics with athletics, and continuously improving his game. His early years were built on discipline, physical conditioning, technical training, and mental toughness.
His family strongly supported his athletic journey and encouraged him to pursue competitive sports while maintaining academic excellence.
Major Athletic Achievements
| Year | Sport | Achievement | Level | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Soft Tennis | Silver Medal – Under-21 Individual Doubles representing India at ISTF World Tour Championship | International | Pattaya, Thailand |
| 2023 | Tennis | South Zone Team at All India Inter-University Tennis Championship | National University Level | Jaipur, India |
| Multiple Years | Tennis | Winner & Medalist in Various National-Level Tennis Tournaments | National | India |
| Multiple Years | Tennis | Competed in State, University, and Open Tennis Championships | State & National | India |
| 2025–2026 | Pickleball | 2× DUPR 18 National-Level Winner | National | United States, wichita. |
| 2025–2026 | Pickleball | Runner-Up Finish in DUPR 18 / MiLP Team Competition | National | Oklahoma, USA |
| 2025–2026 | Pickleball | Competitive DUPR & Minor League Pickleball Athlete | National Competitive Level | United States |
| Current | Pickleball Leadership | President of Wichita State University Pickleball Club – ShockerSpin | Collegiate Leadership | Wichita, Kansas, USA |
| Current | Community Leadership | Organizer and Promoter of Collegiate Pickleball Activities and Events | University Level | Wichita State University |
Additional Athletic Strengths
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Leads and develops collegiate pickleball community through ShockerSpin |
| Athleticism | Strong footwork, speed, endurance, and defensive movement |
| Sportsmanship | Known for humility, discipline, and positive attitude |
| Teamwork | Strong doubles communication and team coordination |
| Adaptability | Successfully transitioned between Tennis, Soft Tennis, and Pickleball |
| Work Ethic | Recognized for hardworking mentality and dedication toward improvement |
Tennis Career
Surya Akash began his competitive athletic career through tennis and participated in numerous district, state, university, and national-level tournaments across India.
Through years of tennis training, he developed:
- Advanced footwork and agility
- Competitive match temperament
- Court awareness and movement efficiency
- Strong doubles communication
- Endurance and mental resilience
- Racquet control and tactical understanding
His tennis achievements include:
- Participation and victories in multiple national-level tennis tournaments
- Success in university and open tennis competitions
- Representation in high-level inter-university events
- Selection to represent the South Zone university team in the All India Inter-University Tennis Championship held in Jaipur
These achievements established a strong athletic foundation that later helped him transition successfully into soft tennis and pickleball.
International Soft Tennis Career
After establishing himself in tennis, Surya Akash expanded his athletic career into soft tennis and began competing at the national and international levels.
One of the biggest milestones of his athletic journey came when he represented India at the:
ISTF World Tour Soft Tennis Championship
Pattaya, Thailand – 2023
Competing in the Under-21 Individual Doubles category, Surya Akash Pokala won a Silver Medal while representing India on the international stage.
This achievement brought recognition from:
- Sports communities
- Educational institutions
- University organizations
- Racquet sports associations
The international medal highlighted his ability to perform under pressure and compete successfully against athletes from different countries.
The experience also strengthened his:
- International competition exposure
- Team coordination
- Match adaptability
- Mental toughness
- Tactical awareness
Transition into Pickleball
After moving to the United States for higher education, Surya Akash began exploring pickleball one of the fastest-growing sports in America.
Due to his strong tennis and soft tennis background, he adapted quickly to the sport and became actively involved in competitive pickleball and collegiate sports leadership.
His transition into pickleball was supported by:
- Athletic court movement
- Fast reaction time
- Hand-eye coordination
- Competitive doubles experience
- Strategic net play
Pickleball Career & Achievements
Surya Akash Pokala currently competes in competitive pickleball tournaments in the United States and has participated in DUPR and Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) events.
His pickleball achievements include:
- Multiple podium finishes in DUPR 18 national-level events
- Runner-up finishes in high nationals level MiLP team competitions
- Participation in regional and national pickleball tournaments in the United States
- Competitive DUPR-rated pickleball events
His playing style is recognized for:
- Fast-paced movement
- Athletic defensive coverage
- Strong doubles communication
- Aggressive court presence
- Excellent anticipation and reflexes
Wichita State University & ShockerSpin Leadership
In addition to competing, Surya Akash actively contributes to the growth of collegiate pickleball in the United States.
He currently serves as the President of Wichita State University’s pickleball club, known as:
ShockerSpin
Through ShockerSpin, he works to:
- Promote pickleball among university students
- Organize tournaments and practice sessions
- Build a competitive collegiate pickleball culture
- Encourage beginner and advanced players
- Create leadership and teamwork opportunities through sports
- Expand student engagement within the university sports community
Under his leadership, the club continues to grow and connect students from different backgrounds through athletics, fitness, and sportsmanship.
Athletic Philosophy
Surya Akash believes that sports are not only about winning medals and trophies, but also about:
- Discipline
- Leadership
- Character
- Teamwork
- Consistency
- Inspiring others
His journey reflects years of sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, and continuous self-improvement.
Personality & Character
Beyond athletic achievements, Surya Akash Pokala is known for his:
- Hardworking mentality
- Humble personality
- Kind-hearted nature
- Leadership qualities
- Positive attitude toward teammates and players
- Commitment to helping and motivating others
He is respected within the sports community for his supportive nature and dedication to both personal growth and community development.
Athletic Highlights
- International Soft Tennis Silver Medalist (India)
- National-Level Tennis Competitor
- Competitive Pickleball Athlete in the United States
- President of Wichita State University Pickleball Club – ShockerSpin
- Multiple DUPR 18 National-Level Podium Finishes
- Collegiate Sports Leader and Community Organizer
- International Racquet Sports Athlete
Specialties
- Doubles Strategy & Team Coordination
- Fast Court Movement & Athletic Defense
- Competitive Racquet Sports Development
- Collegiate Pickleball Leadership
- Sports Community Building
- High-Level Match Adaptability
- Athletic Movement & Reflex Training
Success in sports is not only measured by medals, but by discipline, perseverance, leadership, and the ability to inspire others through hard work and humility  – Surya Akash Pokala
