World Champion Ádám Blázsovics was the star of the show during the world’s first National Challenger Series event (29-30 August), taking home gold in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles at a high-quality tournament. Organised by the Phoenix Teqball Club in Mogyoród, Hungary, the event was the first in FITEQ’s new National Challenger Series. Following its success, the tournament will be a blueprint for event organisers in countries all other world as FITEQ continues to support National Federations, clubs and players with the return of competitive teqball events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the singles final, Blázsovics overcame Csaba Bányik 2-1 (6, -8, 9) in a closely fought contest, whilst rising star Ádám Bakó secured his second bronze of the month after mirroring his performance at the Eger Beach Teqball Challenger Cup. Blázsovics and Bányik then teamed up for the doubles tournament, with their formidable partnership proving too strong for the rest of the field. The pair did not drop a set in the whole tournament, finishing with an impressive 2-0 (10, 8) victory over silver medallists Bakó and Soma Fördős.

In the mixed doubles, Bakó and teammate Lea Vasas pushed Blázsovics and Gabriella Kota all the way in a thrilling final, which ultimately saw the latter pair triumph 2-1 (9, -11, 9). Blázsovics and Kota defeated pre-tournament favourites Bányik and Zsanett Janicsek 2-0 (9, 9) in an exciting quarter-final matchup, whilst Bakó and Vasas comfortably overcame bronze medallists Árpád Sipos and Anna Izsák 2-0 (5, 9) en route to the final.

Reflecting on the event, Blázsovics said, “All three categories were of a high standard. In singles, the final against Csaba Bányik was difficult because he knows all my moves from our training together. The 2-1 result, in a final set of 12-9, reflects that there is not much difference between our knowledge. We were especially prepared for a doubles tournament because we knew that skilful and stronger players were waiting for us. We were not calm in the final, as the Bakó-Fördős pair put constant pressure on us, but we managed to end the game with a 2-0 victory. The mixed category came as the biggest surprise to us. In the quarter-finals, we overcame Bányik and Janicsek, who we have never beaten before in practice. The final was a tough game because of Lea’s smashes, and Adam’s unpredictable play, but we managed to win the game, so I am very happy. In summary, I achieved the goal I dreamed of and I am especially happy for the mixed doubles victory.”

Blázsovics’ mixed doubles partner Gabriella Kota was equally as pleased with the victory, saying, “I am very happy and proud about this weekend. Mainly because I was able to experience how to play with a world-class teqball player like Adam Blázsovics, and I would like to thank him so much that we could compete together. We have been preparing for the mixed doubles competition for some weeks now and we are very confident that we will be able to compete with even the most experienced doubles players and secure victories. I think the final was a high standard, as was the game against Bányik and Janicsek. I hope this is just the beginning of a journey where we will continue to have similar success.”