The International Federation Racketlon World Tour touched down in Mumbai for the very first time with the ‘Bombay Gymkhana International Racketlon Open’, held from 1^st to 3^rd December 2023.

[‘Racketlon’, often described as, ‘the Iron-man of racket sports’ – comprises players competing across four racket sports played consecutively – Table-tennis, Badminton, Squash and Tennis. A rapidly growing sport, it provides a unique test of technique, stamina and mental strength as each sport is played to 21 points and the player scoring the most overall points across all four sports, is declared the winner. The Federation of International Racketlon (FIR) promotes a world tour across over 15 nations and has 44 member countries.]  

Almost 100 participants from India and the world over, took part in over 17 different categories, in the ‘Bombay Gymkhana International Racketlon Open’. As per Duncan Stahl, President, International Racketlon Federation, participants included 50 of the world’s top 15 players traveling in from France, Great Britain, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the USA, alongside the current Men’s World No. 1 (Leon Griffiths from Great Britain), the Women’s World No. 1 (Anna-Klara Ahlmer from Sweden), and the Men’s World Champion (Luke Griffiths from Great Britain). “I’ve no doubt this is going to be a truly memorable, landmark tournament – and the biggest, most prestigious tournament ever staged in Asia,” he said, extending gratitude to Bombay Gymkhana and RISA (Racketlon India Sports Association) for facilitating the event.

Keeping the Zarthosti flag flying high in sports, four dynamic Parsi sportsperson represented the community and country – 15-year-old tennis-player Zane Pundole; – Zane Pundole; Rehaan Engineer, Nevil Malao and Naheed Divecha. Rehaan Engineer was a wild card entry into Elite category who played an outstanding singles badminton game against the current World No. 1 – Leon Griffith, taking him to a close 21-19, to long rallies that thrilled spectators. Nevil Malao played in 3 categories (Mens Open Amateur Category, Singles 50+, and Mens Doubles 50+) for 2 days and finished in third place in the Men’s Singles 50+. Ace-shuttler Naheed Divecha played in all three categories and was the winner in the Women’s Doubles B Advance category, playing with Johann Fernandes of Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana, and was Runner-up in the Women’s Singles B Advance category, as well as runner up in the Mixed Doubles B.

Kudos to all four for doing the community and the country proud!