At just 15 years old, Saxe Paarup-Clausen is making waves in the world of Teqball. His journey began in football, which he played from 2016 to 2020, before transitioning into freestyle football—heavily inspired by Danish YouTuber, the highest-ranked (9th in men's singles) Danish athlete, Brian Mengel. It was Mengel who introduced Saxe to Teqball, an experience that would shape his future in the sport.

Saxe first discovered Teqball when he saw an announcement for the Danish Teqball Championships in late 2021. Intrigued, he started training intensively and quickly found success, propelling him into international tournaments by 2024. His first big test came at the Belgian International Teqball Open in 2023, where he competed in the Under-19 category. Not only did he win his first international match, but he also went on to claim victory in the entire tournament—an achievement that fueled his ambition.

Following his win in Belgium, Paarup-Clausen competed in more tournaments, including a Teqball Tour - Grindsted in Denmark as his debut at FITEQ competitions, where he reached the Round of 16 in men’s singles and doubles and finished 9th in both categories. But his biggest breakthrough came at Teqball Cup - Pecs PSN, in Hungary, where he surprised the Teqball community by winning his first international title. “No one really knew me at the beginning,” he recalls, “so I just came out of nowhere and won the whole tournament.”

As Paarup-Clausen's reputation grows, so does the challenge. Opponents are now studying his tactics, and rivalries are forming, particularly with players like Stefan Orlovski (POL) or Alexander Hamm from Austria. However, Paarup-Clausen remains unfazed. He continues to refine his technique, drawing inspiration from top players like the record champion, Adam Blazsovics (HUN), while incorporating elements from Adrian Duszak and Hugo Rabeux into his playing style. "They are my favourites. I try to watch their matches all the time and learn", emphasizes the Danish dynamite. 

When introducing Teqball to newcomers, Paarup-Clausen describes it as “table tennis on a curved table but with feet.” With a background in freestyle football, his biggest strength lies in his technical skills, but he acknowledges that his mental game is a work in progress. “I sometimes get too hard on myself when I make a mistake,” he admits. “I am working on staying mentally strong and moving on quickly.”

Paarup-Clausen competes in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles, but his favorite category remains singles. “I love creating my own tactics,” he says. However, he also enjoys doubles, especially when playing alongside his best friend, Frederik Guldborg-Mondrup, another 15-year-old Danish prodigy.

The recent milestone in Paarup-Clausen's career is his double victory at the Teqball Cup in Pécs, where he won both singles and doubles. It was an unexpected triumph, as his original doubles partner, Mathias Landen Jeppesen (DEN), fell ill the day before the tournament. Despite the last-minute change, Paarup-Clausen and his new partner, Daniel Botond Varga, emerged victorious. “Winning both categories was crazy and unpredictable,” he says.

With these results, he reached the top 100 in men's singles, and he now owns the 61st position after debuting on the list in 2024/7 as the 117th. In men's doubles, he kicked off at the 567th position and starts March of 2025 as the 140th. In mixed doubles, the 814th place was his first, and in ten months, he moved ahead to the 245th.

Looking ahead, Paarup-Clausen has set ambitious goals. In five years, he hopes to be among the top 10 players in the world and win the World Teqball Championships. With daily training and a relentless drive, he believes these goals are within reach.

"I have a clear path in front of my eyes. Thankfully, with Varebil Leasing Odense, I already have a sponsor to reach my dreams and compete as much as possible." In Grindsted last year, he already experienced the vibe of competing instead of the home crowd, and in 2025, he can re-live the moment as the Challenger Teqball League visit the city. "Winning at home, in Denmark, would be just as wonderful as taking a medal at the World Teqball Championships." 

Although the future is bright, he understands the challenges of the present: "I still have a lot to learn, and there are multiple athletes ahead of me, but I love to be the dark horse and cause surprises."

Off the court, Paarup-Clausen is navigating his academic journey. Currently in ninth grade, he plans to attend a sports-focused class for his 10th grade and is considering business school afterward. But his ultimate dream remains clear: winning the World Teqball Championships in his hometown in Denmark, in both men’s singles and doubles.

With a mix of talent, determination and an ever-growing presence in the Teqball scene, Saxe Paarup-Clausen is a name to watch in the years to come.