What’s the Score?
The global expansion of pickleball was on full display in Hainan, China, on January 7, 2026, as the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Masters Series crowned a diverse slate of winners. The event highlighted the rapidly increasing skill level across the Asian continent, with competitors from various nations claiming podium spots in categories ranging from 19+ to 50+ divisions.
Hit it deeper!
The tournament results paint a picture of a sport that is maturing quickly in the region. In the premier Mixed 19+ 5.0 division the highest level of open play the duo of Karina Aditya Dwipayani and Hong Kit Wong took home the gold, besting the team of Katie Morris and Joshua Bright. The depth of talent was further evidenced in the Mixed 50+ 5.0 category, where Pini Lee and I Gusti Ngurah Alit Putra Haribawa demonstrated that high-level strategy and hands speed are thriving among senior competitors, securing victory over Martin Clark and Lin Mei Chuan.
The intermediate brackets also provided thrilling narratives of versatility and endurance. Thitiphan Subkla and Yenjit Boonchan proved to be the iron players of the tournament. The pair dominated the Mixed 35+ 4.5 division to win gold and remarkably stepped down in age to compete in the Mixed 19+ 3.5 division, where they secured a bronze medal. That younger division was won by Yujie Mao and Xirui Liu. Meanwhile, the Mixed 35+ 3.5 category saw Jiaxiang Yin and Yan Chi stand atop the podium.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The WPC Masters in Hainan serves as a microcosm of pickleball’s trajectory in Asia. The variety of names and nationalities on the podium spanning China, Southeast Asia, and beyond indicates that the sport is successfully rooting itself outside of its North American stronghold.
The performance of players like Subkla and Boonchan, who medaled in two different age brackets, suggests a high level of dedication and fitness that bodes well for the region’s competitive future. As the WPC continues to host these Masters Series events, we are likely witnessing the development of the first generation of Asian pickleball stars who will eventually challenge the Western dominance of the pro tour. This is no longer just a recreational pastime in Asia; it is a developing competitive ecosystem.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris 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…
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