J-Star's Horizon Pickleball Paddle Receives Official Approval from USAPA.

J-Star Holding Co., Ltd., a provider of carbon fiber and composite solutions, has announced that its first company-owned brand pickleball paddle, Horizon, has received official approval from the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) for sanctioned play. Horizon has successfully passed all USA Pickleball tests and has been added to the official list of USA Pickleball-certified paddles. J-Star enters the pickleball market under its own brand for the first time, marking a milestone in the company's direct-to-consumer strategy.

J-Star Holding Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: YMAT), a leading provider of innovative carbon fiber and composite solutions, has announced the official approval of its first company-owned brand pickleball paddle, Horizon, by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) for sanctioned play USA Pickleball Grants Official Approval and Certification for J-Star’s First In-House Pickleball Paddle, Horizon^[1]. The Horizon paddle has successfully passed all USAPA tests and has been added to the official list of USA Pickleball-certified paddles, now accessible to pickleball players nationwide.

Horizon, manufactured by J-Star's subsidiary YMA, marks J-Star's entry into the pickleball market under its own brand, representing a significant milestone in the company's direct-to-consumer strategy. The paddle embodies J-Star's engineering excellence and innovation, constructed from lightweight Japanese carbon fiber, with thermoformed foam walls for enhanced shock absorption and feel, and a soft honeycomb core for forgiveness and control. Its edgeless design maximizes the hitting area, while a Kevlar edge guard provides superior durability. Available in orange, pink, and yellow, the Horizon paddle offers both performance and style USA Pickleball Grants Official Approval and Certification for J-Star’s First In-House Pickleball Paddle, Horizon^[1].

The approval of the Horizon paddle comes as pickleball continues to dominate as North America's fastest-growing sport. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), 19.8 million Americans played pickleball in 2024, representing a 46% increase from 2023 and 311% growth over the past three years USA Pickleball Grants Official Approval and Certification for J-Star’s First In-House Pickleball Paddle, Horizon^[1]. This marks the fourth consecutive year pickleball has held the fastest-growing title across 124 tracked sports, fitness, and outdoor activities.

J-Star's entry into the pickleball market underscores the company's commitment to capturing the momentum of the world's fastest-growing sport. With over 50 years of experience in the composites and materials industry, J-Star is well-positioned to leverage its expertise to design and manufacture high-performance carbon composite products, including the Horizon paddle USA Pickleball Grants Official Approval and Certification for J-Star’s First In-House Pickleball Paddle, Horizon^[1].