14-year-old Dubai-based Filipina earns place at Pickleball World Cup
Dubai: At just 14, Rain Isabella Astaño is already learning what it means to carry two places in her heart. Born and raised in the UAE, the Dubai-based Filipina has spent years developing her game on local pickleball courts. Now, she has been preparing to carry the Philippine flag onto the international stage as she represents the country in the Junior Division of the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in…
At 14 years old, Rain Isabella Astaño is representing the Philippines at the upcoming Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam. Born and raised in Dubai, Astaño has developed her skills on local courts and now competes on the international stage alongside athletes from 81 countries. This tournament marks her first international experience, having previously reached the quarterfinals in Thailand.
Astaño credits her journey to the diverse pickleball community in the UAE, where she has learned to compete against adults and more seasoned players, pushing her to become stronger both physically and mentally.
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