Good morning, pickleballers!
Welcome to your Sunday.
What’s that? You still haven’t grabbed your free download of February’s World Pickleball Magazine? Are you crazy?
There’s links to it all over the site but you can also get it at the end of today’s pickleball news report.
Also, later today, we’ll be releasing our podcast interview with Camden Chaffin – the 14 y/o phenom making PPA waves.
Here’s today’s pickleball news.
Clash of Titans: Chennai and Delhi Set for World Pickleball League Final Showdown
Mumbai, India – The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the World Pickleball League (WPBL) 2026 season, as the Chennai Super Champs and Dilli Dillwale stormed through their respective semi-finals to book tickets to the championship match. In a high-stakes double-header at the Jio World Garden on February 7, both teams secured decisive 3-1 victories to eliminate their opponents.
The Chennai Super Champs, revitalised after missing the playoffs last season, dominated Pune United. The charge was led by seasoned Grand Slam ace Rika Fujiwara, who dismantled Katie Morris 23-12 in the opening women’s singles match, earning Player of the Tie honours. Although Pune’s Balint Bako managed to salvage a point by edging out Ly Hoang Nam 16-14 in men’s singles, Chennai’s mixed doubles and women’s doubles teams proved too strong, closing out the fixture with clinical efficiency.
On the other side of the bracket, Dilli Dillwale dispatched the Bengaluru Jawans with equal authority. Max Manthou was the standout performer for Delhi, named Player of the Tie after a commanding showing in mixed doubles alongside Trang Huynh, defeating their opponents 23-8. Vinh Hien Truong also secured a vital win for Delhi in the men’s singles, crushing Dusty Boyer 22-10.
The two titans will meet in the grand finale on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM IST. With Chennai looking to cap off a redemption arc and Delhi firing on all cylinders, fans in Mumbai are expecting a fierce battle for the WPBL trophy.
Home Court Advantage: RYKO Launches First Asia-Born Pickleball Brand in Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei – The global pickleball craze has officially taken root in the Sultanate with the grand unveiling of RYKO, the first Asia-born pickleball brand to launch in the country. In a spirited event held at the Peak Sports Hub in Setia Jaya, the brand introduced itself to a burgeoning community of local players, marking a significant milestone for the sport’s commercial presence in Southeast Asia.
George Hoon, the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of RYKO, emphasised the personal significance of the location. “Brunei is where I was born, and launching RYKO here is personally meaningful to me,” Hoon stated, outlining the company’s commitment to growing responsibly alongside the local community. The brand positions itself at the intersection of performance and lifestyle, focusing on the development of specialized equipment and modern apparel through its internal research division, Lab-R.
The launch event was far more than a corporate presentation; it served as a celebration of the sport’s interactive culture. Attendees participated in pickleball clinics, exhibition matches, and a “one-point slam challenge” inspired by the Australian Open. The event also saw the appointment of Rano Iskandar and Alice Key as official brand ambassadors.
While this event marked the brand’s public debut, RYKO had already begun fostering competition by hosting its first official tournament on January 25, 2026. Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans to expand its footprint across the Asia-Pacific region, with a major launch event scheduled for Malaysia in the second quarter of 2026.
Bulldogs Bite Back: UGA Claims Victory at Augusta’s Inaugural Collegiate Invitational
Augusta, USA – The University of Georgia (UGA) asserted its dominance on the court this weekend, capturing the top prize at Augusta, Georgia’s first-ever collegiate pickleball tournament. Held on February 7, 2026, the event brought together 17 teams from eight different colleges for a day of intense bracket-style competition, signalling the rapid growth of the sport at the university level.
The tournament, which offered a cash prize to the victors, was a landmark moment for the local sports community. Nate Benson, the tournament coordinator and a player himself, expressed deep satisfaction with the turnout and the energy of the event. “Honestly, I’m just happy pickleball is growing the way it is now,” Benson noted. “It feels great to get the ball rolling… seeing all the teams roll up here ready to compete and have some fun, that’s honestly been the highlight”.
The event highlighted the utility of Augusta’s indoor facilities, allowing high-level play to continue despite the winter months. While students from across the region battled for supremacy, it was the squad from UGA that ultimately navigated the bracket successfully to take home first place.
Organisers view this successful outing as a proof of concept, hoping it will be the first of many collegiate events to grace the city. As pickleball continues to explode in popularity across American campuses, Augusta has now firmly established itself as a viable hub for collegiate competition.
PPA Goes Global: Tour Signs First Asian Married Couple in Historic Deal
Salt Lake City, USA – The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) has solidified its commitment to international expansion by signing Kenta Miyoshi and Aiko Yoshitomi, marking the first time a Japanese married couple—and the first Asian married couple—have signed simultaneous professional contracts with the organisation.
Announced on February 7, 2026, the deal brings two of the Asia-Pacific region’s most decorated athletes to the sport’s biggest stage in North America. Both players arrive with formidable résumés: Aiko Yoshitomi recently captured the title at the PPA Tour Asia Hong Kong Open, while Kenta Miyoshi holds the PPA Tour Australia Men’s Singles championship.
“It is a tremendous honour and a heartfelt joy to have signed with the PPA,” said Miyoshi. “We are also deeply proud to become the first married couple in Asia to sign professional contracts simultaneously”. Yoshitomi shared his enthusiasm, noting her desire to use this platform to inspire others to live authentically and embrace challenges.
The signing is viewed by analysts as a watershed moment for the sport in Japan and the broader Asian market, where pickleball participation is rising rapidly. By integrating top international talent into the elite US-based ecosystem, the PPA aims to showcase the depth of global talent and foster a new generation of players abroad. The duo will now focus on translating their success in Asia and Australia to the highly competitive American circuit.
If you enjoyed this article, check out the February World Pickleball Magazine here.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.