New UPA Asia Trailblazers to Start Trailblazing Journey at Calabasas Pickleball Club in California

The next wave of Asian pickleball talent is ready to take centre stage.

Recently, UPA Asia officially unveiled the Class of 2026 for the UPA Asia Trailblazers Program, with eight athletes selected to undergo an intensive six-week training immersion in the United States beginning in March. The programme’s second season will see the players train at Calabasas Pickleball Club (CPC) in California, which has been named the official training ground for the initiative.

Located in Calabasas, California, CPC is widely regarded as one of Southern California’s premier pickleball destinations. The facility features 16 outdoor lighted courts and serves as a home base for several elite professional players.

For six weeks, the Trailblazers will be immersed in a high-performance environment designed to prepare them for the professional ranks. Training at CPC will be led by Top 10 PPA player and the club’s Director of Pickleball, Gabe Joseph. The athletes will also receive guidance from Collin Johns, former PPA Tour No. 1 doubles player and Racket Professional Organization Technical Director, with additional support from Chris Harradine.

The programme aims to transform emerging Asian talent into the next generation of global pickleball stars. Along with elite-level training, participants will receive mentorship from American professional players, coaching from experienced instructors, and media training to help develop their personal brands.

During their residency in the United States, the athletes will also have the opportunity to compete on the Carvana PPA Tour alongside some of the sport’s best players.

Calabasas Pickleball Club has built a reputation as a hub for elite competition and player development. Among the world-class players associated with the club is PPA Tour champion Roscoe Bellamy, further cementing CPC’s status as a training ground for top-tier talent.

Following their six-week stint in the United States, the Trailblazers will return to compete on the PPA Tour Asia circuit backed by two-year UPA Asia Pro Contracts.

The eight athletes selected as Trailblazers are Tya Karina Aditya (Indonesia), Julian Chow (Hong Kong), Mihae Kwon (Korea), Dang Ngo (Vietnam), Tang Nok Yiu (Hong Kong), Syed Uzair (Malaysia), Colin Wong (Malaysia), and Anni Xie (China).

UPA Asia also named eight additional athletes as Rising Stars, each receiving one-year UPA Asia Pro Contracts along with athlete pathway support, development guidance, and media training as they establish themselves on the PPA Tour Asia.

The Rising Stars are Timothy Foo (Malaysia), Yunqi He (China), Paranya Jareonvongrayab (Thailand), Pei-Yu Lai (Chinese Taipei), Longsheng Liu (China), Christian Josua Luna (Philippines), Anh Hoang Nguyen (Vietnam), and Seina Shima (Japan).

With the Class of 2026 now confirmed, the region’s brightest prospects are set to take the court in both Asia and the United States over the coming months as they begin their journey in professional pickleball.