Skechers International Pickleball Tournament – Malaysia Edition 2026 Attracts 1,282 Entries Across 29 Categories With RM100,000 Prize Pool

The Skechers International Pickleball Tournament – Malaysia Edition 2026 successfully concluded last Sunday at Tomaz Pickleball Club, Subang Jaya, marking its biggest edition yet since its inception four years ago. Organised by Skechers, the global leader in lifestyle and performance footwear, the three-day tournament attracted an impressive 1,282 players from 14 countries, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. Held from 8 to 10 May, the tournament featured Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR)-rated matches across 29 categories, with competitors battling it out for a total prize pool of RM100,000.

The tournament officially kicked off with a press conference hosted by Skechers Malaysia, featuring Senior General Manager Stephanie Chang alongside official Skechers pickleball athletes Colin Wong, Delia Arnold and Toi Sieu Ee. The trio not only represented the brand but also competed throughout the weekend, highlighting Skechers’ growing commitment to supporting local pickleball talent and elevating Malaysia’s presence within the international pickleball community.

This year’s edition reflected the rapid rise of pickleball in Malaysia, with participation increasing by 38 percent compared to the previous year. More than 1,600 matches were played throughout the competition, making it the largest and most competitive edition to date. One of the tournament’s most notable highlights was the return of the Junior Under-18 category, which drew 34 young participants, including the youngest player aged just 11 years old. The category symbolised the sport’s expanding grassroots movement and introduced many junior players to their first DUPR-rated competitive experience.

Speaking during the event, Stephanie Chang shared that the growth of the Junior category was particularly meaningful as it demonstrated how pickleball continues to connect players across generations. She expressed hope that the tournament would inspire both new and experienced athletes to continue pursuing the sport competitively, regardless of their age or skill level.

The tournament also served as a platform to spotlight Malaysian pickleball athletes making strides internationally. Colin Wong returned as a Skechers athlete for the second consecutive year and recently earned recognition as part of the UPA Asia Trailblazers Class of 2026, securing a place on the professional circuit in the United States. He was joined by women’s doubles standouts Delia Arnold and Toi Sieu Ee, both highly ranked DUPR athletes who recently captured the Women’s Doubles 35+ Open title in April.

Beyond the competition itself, Skechers also showcased its latest Viper Court collection during the tournament. Designed specifically for the fast-paced nature of pickleball, the footwear range combines comfort, agility and stability to support players of all levels. The collection includes the Viper Court Pro 2.0, Hands Free Slip-ins® Viper Court Elite 2.0, Viper Court Rally™, and Viper Court Reload™, each tailored to different playing styles and performance needs.

On the court, several players delivered standout performances throughout the weekend. Phoenix He emerged victorious in the Open 19+ Men’s Singles category, while Jas Almaguer claimed the Women’s Singles title after a strong and consistent campaign. In the doubles divisions, Marco Leung and Vanshik Kapadia secured the Men’s Doubles 19+ Open crown, while Man Kwan Wun and Syed Uzair Sufi triumphed in the Mixed Doubles 19+ Open category. The inaugural Junior U18 competition also created memorable moments, with Dzarif Dzakwan B Azizul Azhar winning both the Boys’ Singles championship and the Doubles U18 title alongside his brother, Dzikri Dzakwan B Azizul Azhar.

With increasing regional participation, growing youth involvement and stronger international recognition, the Skechers International Pickleball Tournament – Malaysia Edition 2026 further cemented its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s premier pickleball events, while highlighting the sport’s expanding influence across Malaysia and beyond.