Skechers International Pickleball Tournament Draws 1,282 Entries, Concludes with Bang

Skechers, the Comfort Technology Company™ and global leader in lifestyle and performance footwear, successfully wrapped up the Skechers International Pickleball Tournament–Malaysia Edition 2026 last Sunday at Tomaz Pickleball Club, Subang Jaya.

The tournament drew 1,282 players from 14 countries including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam—for three days of competitive, Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR)-rated play from 8 to 10 May. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the tournament continues to grow in scale and regional participation, bringing together competitors of all ages and skill levels for a share of the RM100,000 prize pool.

Marking the start of the tournament, Skechers Malaysia hosted a press conference on 8 May featuring a welcoming address by Ms Stephanie Chang, Senior General Manager of Skechers Malaysia, joined by official Skechers pickleball athletes Colin Wong (@colinwong_pb), Delia Arnold (@deliaarnoldd), and Toi Sieu Ee (@toi.pickleball)—all three of whom competed across the weekend, with Colin taking to the court in the Men’s Doubles 19+ Open, and Delia and Sieu Ee competing in the Women’s Doubles 35+ Open.

(See the end of the article for the full list of winners.)

Malaysia’s Pickleball Momentum Continues

Pickleball in Malaysia has steadily grown from a recreational pastime into an increasingly competitive sport, with a growing number of players across all ages and skill levels making the move from casual play into DUPR-rated events. The 2026 edition reflects that shift: participation has grown 38% year-on-year, and over 1,600 matches were contested across 29 tournament categories, making this the largest edition to date. The total prize pool has been raised to RM100,000, up from RM80,000 in the previous year, and the category structure has been expanded to accommodate a broader range of players across age groups and skill levels.

Among the most significant additions this year is the reintroduction of the Junior (U18) category, open to players below the age of 18. The category saw 34 junior player registrations, a figure that reflects the growing interest among younger players in structured, competitive play. Notably, the youngest competitor is just 11 years old, showcasing the true grassroots development of the sport. For many of these young athletes, this tournament marks their first experience competing in an officially DUPR-rated environment, providing a meaningful benchmark for their development and a clear pathway into the wider competitive circuit.

Speaking at the ceremony, Stephanie Chang said: “Seeing the Junior category come to life this year is something we have been looking forward to. Pickleball in Malaysia is no longer just a sport for one generation, it is bringing people of all ages to the court, and we want this tournament to reflect that. With Colin, Delia, and Sieu Ee competing alongside hundreds of players this weekend, we hope everyone here walks away inspired, regardless of where they are in their pickleball journey.”

Supporting Local Athletes

This year’s tournament also served as a platform to spotlight Skechers’ growing roster of Malaysian pickleball athletes. Colin Wong returns for his second consecutive year as a Skechers official athlete, a partnership that has run alongside his progression from the local competitive circuit to the international stage. Earlier this year, Colin was selected as part of the UPA Asia Trailblazers Class of 2026, earning a place on the professional circuit in the United States.

He is joined by Delia Arnold and Toi Sieu Ee, one of Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pairings on the competitive circuit. Ranked at DUPR 4.7 and 4.6 respectively, both athletes compete regularly at the international level and most recently claimed the Women’s Doubles 35+ Open title in April.

Skechers athlete Delia Arnold shared her thoughts on what the tournament means for the community: “What stands out to me is that anyone can play here—juniors, seasoned competitors, players from overseas. That mix makes it interesting, both on and off the court. You learn a lot just by watching how others play, especially styles you do not get to see in your regular training circle. And because every match counts toward your DUPR, you walk away knowing exactly where you stand. That is what makes the experience valuable.”

The Skechers Viper Court Collection Showcase

The Skechers Viper Court collection was showcased at the tournament, offering a closer look at footwear built for the fast-paced demands of competitive pickleball. Designed to support quick lateral movements, sharp pivots, and sustained rallies, the range is endorsed by the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and USA Pickleball, and carries the APMA Seal of Acceptance for foot health support.

The Skechers Viper Court collection spans four styles, each designed to support different playing styles and levels of competition—from high-performance athletes to recreational players seeking comfort and convenience on court.

• Viper Court Pro 2.0™ – Built for competitive players, this performance-driven style features an upgraded mesh upper, ULTRA GO® Foam midsole, and a Goodyear® Gold outsole for precise traction and controlled slides during high-intensity matches.
• Hands Free Slip-ins® Viper Court Elite 2.0 – Designed for players who value both performance and convenience, this model combines Skechers’ signature slip-in technology with the stability needed for competitive play.
• Viper Court Rally™ – A lighter option suited for agile players, offering flexibility and ease of movement for quick transitions and fast-paced rallies.
• Viper Court Reload™ – Ideal for recreational and lifestyle players, this style pairs slip-in entry with ULTRA FLIGHT® cushioning, and is made entirely from vegan, machine-washable materials for everyday ease.

Tournament Champions–Key Results

Competitors went head-to-head across approximately 30 matches, spanning eight categories in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles formats. All results were recorded under the DUPR system, contributing directly to players’ global ratings and World Pickleball Championship (WPC) qualification points.

In the Open 19+ Men’s Singles, Phoenix He delivered a commanding display throughout the tournament, claiming the title with RM1,700 cash and an exclusive pair of Skechers Viper Court Pro shoes. Dylan Ooi Ding Sheng and Muhammad Aiman Hamdan rounded out the podium with strong competitive performances.

The Open 19+ Women’s Singles saw Jas Almaguer take the title with a composed and consistent display, with Angie Bong as 1st Runner-Up and Virvienica Bejosano as 2nd Runner-Up, in a closely contested field.

In the Doubles categories, Marco Leung and Vanshik Kapadia secured the Open 19+ Men’s Doubles title, winning RM3,500 cash and two pairs of Viper Court Pro shoes. The Mixed Doubles 19+ Open saw Man Kwan Wun and Syed Uzair Sufi emerge victorious with the same prize. In the 35+ Open divisions, the Men’s and Mixed Doubles champions each claimed RM3,000 cash.

The inaugural Junior U18 category saw Dzarif Dzakwan B Azizul Azhar capture two titles—the Boys’ Singles championship and, alongside his brother Dzikri Dzakwan B Azizul Azhar, the Doubles U18 (Open Gender), becoming the first-ever champions in these categories.

The Skechers International Pickleball Tournament–Malaysia Edition 2026 was made possible with the support of official venue partner Tomaz Pickleball Club, official tournament management platform Baseline, Platinum Sponsors AirFly and Tuff, Gold Sponsors LAC, Engage, Nespresso, Pocari Sweat, and Joola, and official ball partner Franklin. The event was organised by The Ultimate Pickleballers.