After a two-month-long break, the Teqball World Series is back with a record-breaking event in terms of prize. The players in Beijing will compete for 60 000 dollars, the largest pot in 2024, and the quality of the entry list is also one of a kind.

With three categories, altogether 81 player 32 in men in singles, 24 men’s doubles and 24 mixed doubles will fight for the trophy in the Chinese capital that hosted the 2022 Winter and the 2008 Summer Olympics – and the latter’s Olympic Park will be the destination of the Teqball World Series on September 20-22.

In the men’s singles we welcome back the reigning world champion Adrian Duszak (POL), who has not competed at the highest level since defeating then-title holder Apor Gyorgydeak (ROU) in the WCh final. Current European champion Gyorgydeak will also be present in Beijing, just like the record champion, four-time world gold medallist Adam Blazsovics (HUN), and that means this field includes all but one individual men’s world champions. They are going to be challenged by seven home players, Polish prodigy Marek Pokwap, Serbian superstars Nikola Mitro and Bogdan Marojevic, African Beach Games bronze-winner Yassine Sahli (TUN), and plenty of up-and-coming talents from three continents, too.

Is it possible that the men’s doubles category is even more star-studded? We think so. Hungarian world champs Csaba Banyik/Balazs Katz have not won a major tournament since May, and despite not dominating as much as they did in 2023, they are still considered favorites. But this label also applies to the three-time Wch gold medallists Mitro/Marojevic, who took home the trophy from Tulsa earlier this year, and to Boonkoom Tipwong/Phakpong Dejaroen (THA), who already have two major titles under their belts in 2024.

Their countrymen, Sorrasak Thaosiri/Jirati Chanliang are still looking for their first victorious major after three medal finishes, just like Adam Bako/Matyas Odnoga, who have not found the top of the podium since last July. Also, you do not want to count out Pokwap/Duszak or Arnold Szilagyi/Frankie Diaz (ROU/USA), and it will be interesting to see that out of the seven Chinese units which can pull off an upset.

The host country will be represented with even more teams in the mixed doubles with 8, and there are four pairs coming from Thailand. Among them, World champions Suphawadi Wongkhamchan/Dejaroen already collected three medals so far (one from each color), and Jutatip Kuntatong/Chanliang should also be in the mix. World Rankings leader Csaba Banyik and his partner, Krisztina Acs swept two TWS tournaments in 2024 and aim for their third crown before the series move to their home, Hungary, but their friends/rivals, Gabriella Kota/Katz really want to make it their turn in Beijing.

The two Romanian European champs, Kinga Barabasi and Gyorgydeak join forces again to contend for the podium, and we should also keep our eyes on Nora Vicsek/Odnoga, Petra Pechy/Blazsovics, Maja Umicevic (SRB)/Bako and former women’s singles world champ Anna Izsak (HUN) with Arpad Sipos by her side.

The event starts with the men’s singles and doubles qualifiers and continues with the mixed qualis and the Round of 16 in all categories. The last day will bring the remaining elimination rounds, including all the finals.

Tune in to TEQ TV on YouTube and follow the actions there!