Balletic hits and bicycle kicks: Teqball comes of age at the Asian Games

Published 1w ago · Updated 1w ago

Covered in 2 countries

AI summary46s readPositive

Teqball achieves a major milestone by awarding gold medals at the Asian Games.

Myanmar has claimed its first gold medal in teqball at the Asian Games during an event attended by former Spanish football star Carles Puyol. The sport, which merges elements of football and table tennis on a uniquely curved board, has rapidly grown from its Hungarian origins a decade ago into a medal event. Competitors such as reigning world champion Jutatip Kuntatong have transitioned from other athletic backgrounds to elite statuses ahead of the regional competition in Bangkok.

Teqball was originally invented in Hungary a little over a decade prior to its current prominence.
Jutatip Kuntatong transitioned to becoming a world champion in the sport after having no familiarity with it six years earlier.
The tournament matches take place within Bangkok’s Sports Science Centre using a specially curved table.

Timeline

Sep 17Athletes like world champion Jutatip Kuntatong prepare for the upcoming teqball competition in Bangkok.
Sep 20Myanmar wins its first-ever teqball gold medal at the Asian Games in the presence of Carles Puyol.

Why it matters

The inclusion of teqball as a medal-contesting sport at major regional competitions like the Asian Games marks a significant milestone in its journey toward global recognition.