IWT Hong Kong Open

13. Februar 2025

After successfully running their first international (challenger) tournament last year, the Racketlon Association Hong Kong China were able to run their second tournament from the 7th to the 9th of February as an IWT, the second highest tour level after the SWT. As many players spoke highly of the tournament last year, it was fully booked about three weeks in advance. In the end, 87 players from 13 different countries competed in 17 categories. Among them were two Swiss players, Giovanni Gentile and Léon Mamié. While they competed together in the Men's A doubles category, Giovanni also entered the Men's B and Seniors 40+ categories and Léon entered the Men's A singles category.

On the first day of the tournament, the doubles matches were played as usual. In the first round, the Swiss pair faced a newly formed American pair and lost narrowly by 9 points. After that, they only had one more match to play, which they won against the second seeded French pair to finish in 5th place. The next day was more successful for the Swiss players. Giovanni reached the final of the senior draw and the semi-finals of the men's B singles. However, the matches were far from straightforward as he had to save three match points in one game and won his other two matches of the day by 6 and 8 points. At the same time, Léon worked his way into the semi-finals by beating a player from Hong Kong and another from the USA. This left the Swiss with three chances to win gold on the final day.

Unfortunately, Giovanni lost the senior final early on Sunday morning to a Japanese player who proved to be very solid in all sports. In the next match, however, Giovanni again qualified for the final (this time in category B), beating an Israeli player by 2 points. Despite a strong performance in the final, Giovanni had to settle for second place again. Léon, on the other hand, picked up where he had left off on Saturday, winning two more games (both plus 6) on Sunday to win his first international title at the elite level! The semi-final was not an easy one, however, as he was trailing 16-5 and needed 12 points to win. However, he held his nerve and scored 7 points in a row to beat his Hong Kong opponent.

Winner: Léon Mamié

Aside from the tournament, the players were able to spend their time sightseeing and eating in a variety of local restaurants, as the venue was located close to the financial centre on Hong Kong Island, which is a perfect starting point for many attractions. The Racketlon Association Hong Kong China also organised a welcome dinner for all the foreign players on Thursday before the tournament, a players' dinner on Saturday and a celebratory aperitif at the end of the tournament, all of which were very enjoyable and provided a good opportunity to socialise.

Many thanks to the Racketlon Association Hong Kong China for organising such a great tournament!

LM

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