SKECHERS, The Comfort Technology CompanyTM 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, drawing 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, Delia Arnold and Toi Sieu Ee — 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.
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 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, Ms 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.”
