ベトナム発のパドルブランドFacolosが、男子ダブルス世界1位のGabe Tardio（20、ボリビア）と2027年までのスポンサー契約を結んだ。2026年1月13日に発表。旗艦モデル「EliteX」を武器に、Facolosは2026年の米国市場参入を狙う。アジア発のブランドが、世界トップ級の選手を抱えて本場アメリカへ攻め込む構図だ。
男子ダブルス世界1位・20歳の起用
Tardioはボリビア出身の20歳で、男子ダブルス世界1位（Ben Johnsとペア）。2025年にはBen Johns（世界1位）と組んでPPAツアーで9個の金メダルを獲得し、Tyson McGuffinとのペアでAustralia Pickleball Openも制した。ミックスダブルスでもJessie Irvineと組んで3個のメダル（銀2・銅1）、シングルスでも2タイトルを挙げている。実績十分の若手を看板に据えた。
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Gabe Tardio (20, Bolivia) |
| World ranking | 男子ダブルス1位（Ben Johnsとペア） |
| 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) |
What's inside the flagship model EliteX
The EliteX is Facolos's Pro Series flagship, and its feature is that while having one of the market's grittiest hitting faces, it maintains UPA-A and USA Pickleball certification. It touts high spin performance and a balance of control and power. Tardio cited the paddle's "performance" and the brand's "strategy over the next few years" as the deciding factors for the contract.
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.
Entering the U.S. market in 2026
Facolos plans to enter the U.S. market in 2026. Welcoming a world No. 2 player as the face of its flagship model can be called a stepping stone to establish a presence all at once in a new market where brand recognition is thin. The home-ground paddle market is fiercely competitive, and signing a top player is also a standard tactic for entry.
Global competition in the paddle market
The paddle is a core piece of gear where, among competition equipment, how you choose it sways your results, and it's a domain of fierce competition among brands. The movement of Asia-born brands advancing into the U.S. with top players reflects the market's globalization and multipolarization. In Japan too, entries by long-established sports makers come one after another, and choices in gear selection look set to widen further going forward.
Related articles:
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andJOOLA's paddle patent lawsuit
andThe rise of Vietnamese players
Source:The Kitchen / Gabe Tardio Facolos sponsorship / Pickle Asia / Facolos named PPA Tour paddle partner and signs Gabe Tardio
