The UPA Asia Trailblazers, 11 of Asia’s top pickleball players from eight countries, have been training in Mesa, Arizona, since April 2025. They will continue practicing for another month before returning to Asia to compete in the inaugural 2025 UPA Asia events. The program aims to help players improve by training in the U.S. and bring skills back to grow pickleball in Asia.
UPA Asia and Its Mission
UPA Asia, launched on November 25, 2024, is the new Asian branch of the United Professional Pickleball Association (UPA). It includes two leagues, PPA Asia and MLP Asia, like the U.S. setup.
This is UPA’s second international effort after Australia. Kimberly Koh, former World Table Tennis Partnerships Director with 13 years of sports marketing experience, leads UPA Asia as Managing Director.
The 2025 UPA Asia schedule was announced on May 7, 2025. Events include:
- July 3-6: Panas Kuala Lumpur Open
- August 21-24: Hong Kong Open
- August 26-31: Sansan Fukuoka Open
- October 1-5: China Slam
- October 9-12: Kuala Lumpur Cup
The Trailblazers Program
On February 1, 2025, UPA Asia announced the Trailblazers program. It offers Asia’s best players a chance to train in the U.S. for three months, with all expenses paid. The athletes also compete in PPA and MLP events in the U.S. to sharpen their skills. Jimmy Liong, a Trailblazer from Malaysia, said,
“It’s been amazing. Seeing all the different play styles and understanding the game. The understanding of decision making and when to do this or that, is totally different at this level. The coaches share so much that we have never heard about. We have learned so many different drills to bring with us back to Asia.” – (Jimmy Liong)
The goal is for players to return to Asia ready to grow pickleball and share what they have learned.
Who Are the Trailblazers?
The 2025 class has 11 players aged 17 to 30, from eight countries. They were chosen from over 100 applicants. Their names and DUPR ratings are:
- Ting Chieh “Jamie” Wei, Female, Chinese Taipei, 25, 5.745 DUPR
- Eunggwon Kim, Male, Korea, 25, 5.688 DUPR
- Yufei Long, Female, China, 26, 5.336 DUPR
- Ken Tam, Female, Vietnam, 21, 5.258 DUPR
- Marco Leung, Male, Macau, 30, 5.187 DUPR
- Sophia Tran, Female, Vietnam, 17, 5.087 DUPR
- Jimmy Liong, Male, Malaysia, 23, 5.067 DUPR
- Mayu Ito, Female, Japan, 25, 4.788 DUPR
- Mia Athilla, Female, Malaysia, 20, 4.788 DUPR
- Chen-An Hsieh, Male, Chinese Taipei, 27, 4.746 DUPR
- Ryan Ng, Male, Singapore, 21, 4.594 DUPR
Training in Arizona
The Trailblazers practice at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, a top pickleball venue. They train about four hours a day, six days a week, and use the gym 3-4 days weekly. Players live nearby with provided transportation. Jordan Briones, the head coach, praised the group:
“It has been very rewarding seeing the growth of these players in just the two months since we have had them. I coach a lot of different level players, but I have never had a group quite like this consistently for 90 days. I’ve learned a lot already from them. I’ve seen a ton of improvement. These players are the top players from their countries. At this point, the skill is all there, it is just refining tactics and get their mindset ready to play at the highest level possible.” – (Jordan Briones)
Briones works with coaches Caden Nemoff and Greg Dow, both top UPA pros.
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Competition and Results
Soon after arriving, the Trailblazers competed in the PPA Challenger Series in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from April 4-6. They won four medals: Yufei Long took gold in women’s singles, bronze in women’s doubles with Ken Tam, and bronze in mixed doubles with Marco Leung.
At the PPA Atlanta Slam from May 12-18, Trailblazers again earned medals: Ken Tam won gold in women’s singles 5.0, Jimmy Liong earned bronze in men’s singles 5.0, Yufei Long and Eunggwon Kim took gold in mixed doubles 5.0, and Sophia Tran with Jimmy Liong got bronze in mixed doubles 5.0.
Some also reached new milestones, like Ting Chieh “Jamie” Wei and Yufei Long making the round of 32 in women’s doubles at a PPA Slam.
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Upcoming Plans
The Trailblazers will play at the 2025 MLP Phoenix event and the Phoenix Classic amateur tournament in 4.5+ divisions, including a $1,000 Moneyball competition.
After two more weeks of training, they will travel to San Clemente, California, for the PPA Select Medical Orange County Cup, competing in 5.0 and pro qualifier divisions. They will return to Asia after the Orange County Cup, with the first UPA Asia event starting July 3 in Kuala Lumpur.
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News in Brief: UPA Asia Trailblazers
The UPA Asia Trailblazers, 11 top Asian pickleball players, have trained in Mesa, Arizona since April 2025. They competed in U.S. tournaments, winning multiple medals. Coached by Jordan Briones, the team aims to grow pickleball in Asia. Their season continues with upcoming U.S. events before returning to Asia for the 2025 UPA Asia tour.
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