Pickleball is growing rapidly across Asia, but behind that growth are the players, coaches, clubs, and communities putting in the work to move the game forward.
As Selkirk continues to expand its presence across the region, supporting these players is an important part of growing alongside the game. Through programs including Selkirk Emerging Pros and AMPED Pros, players have opportunities to represent Selkirk while pursuing their own development and contributing to their local pickleball communities.
We spoke with three of them—Andy Hsieh of Taiwan, Mayu Ito of Japan, and Ooi Kah Yan of Malaysia, about their journeys, the pickleball scenes in their respective countries, and what they hope comes next.
Andy Hsieh: Building Bridges from Taiwan to the World
Selkirk Emerging Pro | Taiwan | DUPR 4.999
Andy Hsieh's journey into pickleball is backed by decades of experience in sport, including 22 years of tennis and 10 years of baseball. Now six years into pickleball, his approach remains centered around continuing to move forward and challenge himself.
Andy has also watched Taiwan's pickleball community develop around him. While he describes its progress as slower than some markets, he sees that growth as steady and believes the competitive level is beginning to change.
“Three years ago, Asia was a pickleball desert. Look where we are now,” he says, pointing particularly to the emergence of more professional players across the region.
Looking ahead, Andy wants Taiwan to welcome an even bigger international pickleball community, not only to experience the game, but also the country itself, from its food to its coastline.
Andy’s Selkirk Gear: Andy competes with the Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik® Raw Carbon and CourtStrike Pro 2.0 Pickleball Shoes.
Mayu Ito: Connecting Japan with Pickleball Across Asia
Selkirk Emerging Pro | Japan | DUPR 4.863
For Mayu Ito, the decision to pursue pickleball professionally came quickly.
Her journey took a major step forward in 2025 when she became the only Japanese player selected for UPA Asia's Trailblazer Program. The opportunity eventually gave her the confidence to leave her corporate career and pursue pickleball professionally.
Back home, Mayu sees a Japanese pickleball community developing in its own way, with more players discovering the sport alongside growth in courts, clubs, and tournaments. What excites her most, however, is pickleball's ability to create connections beyond the court.
“The potential is there for more diverse people and businesses to collaborate through pickleball and build a community that connects not only Japan, but Asia as a whole.”
Mayu hopes the next stage will bring more opportunities for Japanese players to develop and compete internationally, while also attracting more international competitors to tournaments in Japan.
As someone already competing across Asia, she hopes to help strengthen that connection.
“I want to help connect Japan with the global pickleball community in different ways and inspire more people to take up the sport.”
Mayu’s Selkirk Gear: Mayu competes with the Selkirk OMNI™.
Ooi Kah Yan: Building Malaysia's Next Generation
Selkirk AMPED Pro | Malaysia | DUPR 4.417
Ooi Kah Yan describes her entry into pickleball as an unexpected adventure, one that quickly became driven by a desire to keep challenging herself.
“My journey into pickleball has been an unexpected yet incredibly fun adventure that I never saw coming,” she says. “I am always driven by a desire to challenge my limits and push myself to become a better, more well-rounded player.”
That journey has happened alongside significant growth in Malaysia's pickleball scene.
Kah Yan has watched the sport move from a relatively niche activity into a rapidly expanding community, with more tournaments, a growing pool of local talent, and players from different ages and backgrounds getting involved.
“The energy is contagious, and watching the local talent pool grow alongside the increasing number of tournaments is truly inspiring.”
For Kah Yan, the next opportunity lies with the younger generation. She wants to see more young players—including students who haven't discovered pickleball yet—given opportunities to enter the sport and develop.
“My wish is to see more people get involved and to help build a sustainable ecosystem that supports players from beginners to pros.”
Beyond competing as a Selkirk AMPED Pro, Kah Yan is also one of the coaches with Selkirk Academy in Malaysia, giving her another opportunity to help players develop their game and grow the local pickleball community.
Kah Yan’s Selkirk Gear: Kah Yan competes with the Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik® InfiniGrit.
Growing Alongside Pickleball in Asia
Across South East Asia, pickleball is growing in its own way, but the opportunity is shared: to develop more players, strengthen communities, and create pathways for the next generation.
As Selkirk continues to grow across the region, we're working alongside local partners, coaches, and athletes like Andy, Mayu, and Kah Yan to support the people moving the game forward.
Three players. Three journeys. One growing pickleball community across Asia.