FITEQ returns to Qingdao after the successful event in 2023 however, this time with the rebranded new series, Teqball World Series.

At Teqball World Series Qingdao which is the first one of a kind in China, 52 athletes will compete in 3 categories (women’s doubles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles) in the beautiful city, including many of Teqball’s brightest stars.

The women’s doubles field is dominated by Asian duos with all but one coming from the largest continent. The ‘exception’, though, is a team that is considered a medal contender. Hungarians Krisztina Acs/Gabriella Kota played only one major tournament in 2024 so far, and they reached the final in Madrid, but they had to settle for silver because of Thais Jutatip Kuntatong/Suphawadi Wongkhamchan. The world champions are still unbeaten since the beginning of 2023 including the victory in Qingdao and they are going to be the favorites in Qingdao, too, but there will be two more Thai units to make them run for their money. Last year’s runners-up in Qingdao Jariya Seesawad/Areeya Homdee are still looking for their first international gold medal, and do not forget about Sudarat Thongkot/Wantika Innu. The host country will be represented by 6 pairs who are preparing to their international debut.

The men’s doubles also feature the reigning world champs as Hungarians Csaba Banyik/Balazs Katz will make their way to the Land of Dragon once again after they triumphed here in 2023. Madrid’s gold medallists were not able to defend their title in Quy Nhon, Vietnam, where they got bounced in the Quarterfinals, and it was Boonkoom Tipwong/Phakpong Dejaroen who took advantage and snatched the gold medal. Qingdao would be an ideal place for the titans’ clash, but there are other teams who keep their eyes on the prize. Szabolcs Ilyes (ROU)/Marek Pokwap (POL) is definitely one of them, just like the other Thai twosome Jirati Chanliang/Sorrasak Thaosiri, and Bartlomiej Franczuk (POL)/Julien Grondin (FRA). And with the Wild Card, another six local sides will compete.

The mixed doubles contingent is the largest by far as 24 teams are set to vie for the medals. We are not short of world-class players as the top Thais Wongkhamchan/Dejaroen who took the gold last year in Qingdao, Kuntatong/Chanliang, Homdee/Thaosiri, Thongkot/Tipwong, Seesawad/Pornthep Wapisiri, top Hungarians Acs/Banyik, Kota/Katz are all going to be present, and the duo of Boglarka Simo (ROU)/Marek Pokwap (POL) looks also promising. The home crowd will enjoy this competition, especially as 12 Chinese will take part in the category.

By the end of Day 1, we will know the semi-finalists of the men’s and women’s doubles. Day 2 will entirely belong to the mixed doubles while Day 3 will be the end game of the tournament with 6 semifinals and 3 finals.