Vietnamese paddle brand Facolos has signed men's doubles world No. 1 Gabe Tardio (20, Bolivia) to a sponsorship deal running through 2027. The announcement came on January 13, 2026. Armed with its flagship EliteX model, Facolos is aiming to enter the US market in 2026 - an Asian brand pushing into the sport's heartland with a top-ranked player on its books.
Signing the 20-year-old men's doubles world No. 1
Tardio is a 20-year-old from Bolivia and the men's doubles world No. 1 (partnered with Ben Johns). In 2025 he won nine PPA Tour gold medals with Ben Johns (world No. 1) and took the Australia Pickleball Open with Tyson McGuffin. In mixed doubles he added three medals (two silver, one bronze) with Jessie Irvine, and he has two singles titles as well. Facolos has put a young player with a real resume front and center.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Gabe Tardio (20, Bolivia) |
| World ranking | Men's doubles No. 1 (partnered with Ben Johns) |
| Contract term | Through 2027 |
| Paddle used | EliteX (the flagship model of the Pro Series) |
| Main 2025 record | 9 PPA golds (with Johns) / Australia Open champion (with McGuffin) |
旗艦モデルEliteXの特徴
EliteXはFacolosのPro Series旗艦で、市場でも有数のざらついた打球面を備えながら、UPA-AとUSA Pickleballの公認を維持している。高いスピン性能と、コントロールとパワーのバランスをうたう。Tardioは契約の決め手として、パドルの「性能」とブランドの「今後数年の戦略」を挙げた。
An Asian player, one year in business, present in 13 countries
Facolos is new, about a year in business as of January 2026, but it already operates in 13 countries and has raised its presence mainly in the Asian market. It also serves as the official sponsor of the PPA Tour Asia. An emerging brand that expanded its reach in a short time with Asia as its foothold has set the largest market, the U.S., as its next target.
2026年の米国市場参入と選手起用の狙い
Facolosは2026年に米国市場へ参入する計画だ。世界1位の選手を旗艦モデルの顔として迎えることは、ブランド認知の薄い新市場で一気に存在感を出すための布石といえる。本場のパドル市場は競争が激しく、トップ選手の起用は参入企業の常套手段でもある。
パドル市場のグローバル競争と選択肢の広がり
パドルは競技用品の中でも選び方が成績を左右する中核ギアで、ブランド間の競争が激しい領域だ。アジア発ブランドがトップ選手を擁して米国へ進出する動きは、市場のグローバル化と多極化を映している。日本でも老舗スポーツメーカーの参入が相次いており、ギア選びの選択肢は広がっている。
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Source:The Kitchen / Gabe Tardio Facolos sponsorship / Pickle Asia / Facolos named PPA Tour paddle partner and signs Gabe Tardio
