(Photo Jutatip Instagram)
Hosts Romania and Thailand dominated the just concluded World Teqball Championships in Odorheiu Secuiesc, winning two titles each.
Jutatip Kuntatong was the star of he championships, winning both the women’s singles and doubles crown.
She retained the women’s singles title with a 12-8, 10-12, 12-3 win over Kinga Barabasi of Romania.
“During my conversation with the coach, I was initially very nervous, but after he helped me calm down, I was able to refocus on the match, which allowed me to secure the victory. I am extremely happy to have won the women’s singles, and that we retained the title in the women’s doubles as well. Furthermore, my birthday is coming, which makes these results even more special,” said Kuntatong.
Kuntatong returned to the teqball table for her second final partnering Suphawadi Wongkhamchan. They were up against the Hungarian pair of Petra Pechy-Nora Vicsek and claimed the title with a 12-9, 8-12, 12-6 win.
With the win Wongkhamchan became the sport’s all-time leader of world titles with five.
“I was very eager to win, and those feelings led to a few mistakes on our part. Achieving my dream by winning this title means a great deal to me and to our fans, and I am extremely satisfied that we were able to secure this victory,” highlighted Wongkhamchan.
Apor Gyorgydeak once again showed why he is considered to be the best male player as he won his third title in men’s singles, his second in a row. Just like in 2024, he beat Nikola Mitro of Serbia 12-3, 12-10 in the final.
Mitro did not finish the day empty handed as he and his partner, Bogdan Marojevic, upstaged men’s doubles title holders Sorrasak Thaosiri-Jirati Chanliang of Thailand 12-7, 12-3 in the final.
The Serbs used their fire to quickly decide the match in two sets, becoming four-time world champions.
“I am very thankful to make this happen. Winning the world champs at home in the city where you were born and raised is different; it means everything. Once I won in men’s singles, I became stress-free, and it helped us in the mixed doubles,” summed Gyorgydeak
“We prepared a lot during the whole year, and returning to the throne means a lot to me, especially as this season had multiple bumps. The atmosphere was amazing, and it also helped me to gather two medals,” added Mitro.
Kinga Barabasi-Apor Gyorgydeak clinched the mixed doubles crown with a 12-2, 12-10 win over Thailand’s Suphawadi Wongkhamchan-Phakpong Dejaroen.
“A huge dream came true today, winning at home in front of our crowd. Apor and I trained and prepared a lot for the mixed doubles, and playing the final in front of our home audience meant so much to us. The crowd created an indescribable atmosphere; their support was our biggest help. We felt their desire to win as strongly as our own, and it was key to our victory,” shared Barabasi.
