The World Racketlon Rankings have been updated after the final two IWTs of the season in October.
This month’s rankings see the results of the IWT Swedish Open and IWT French Open added on while the results from the 2017 IWT Malta Open, IWT Finnish Open and CHA Murau Open are all removed.
German duo Natalie Paul and Silke Altmann both return to the top-10 in the Women’s rankings. IWT Swedish Open champion Rene Lindberg also reaches a new career-high of No.15.
Women’s Singles: Paul and Altmann Back into Top-10
After making her comeback at the IWT French Open, Natalie Paul moved back inside the top-10. The former World No.2 rises four places back to No.8 after Paris. Likewise, Silke Altmann also advances in the rankings from No.11 to No.9. This comes after Astrid Reimer-Kern loses points for winning the 2017 IWT Malta Open. She falls four spots to No.12.
Bettina Bugl’s loss of points from the CHA Murau Open means she falls one spot to No.5 with Kirsten Kaptein overtaking her. Stine Jacobsen’s third-place at the IWT French Open lifts her up three places to No.15. The biggest mover in the top-20 is Jo Shelley, with the Brit rising six places to No.19.
Fellow Brit Matilda Parslow is rewarded with a rise of seven places to No.27 after picking up her third Women’s B title of the year this season. A sixth place at the IWT French Open sees French star Margaux Randjbar up to a new career-high No.11 after a stellar season.
Christine Seehofer remains at World No.1, with Zuzana Severinova almost 4,000 points behind her in second.
Men’s Singles: Lindberg Hits Career-High After Home Triumph
There is limited movement in the top-10 this month, with most of the interesting moves coming lower down the rankings. Luka Penttinen moving ahead of now-retired Lukas Windischberger is the sole top-10 action as he reaches No.5 in the rankings.
Rene Lindberg’s IWT Swedish Open crown sees him reach a career-high No.15, rising eight spots. Another strong month from Cornelius Radermacher sees him land at No.16, also a career-high. With Oliver Buhler losing points from the 2017 IWT Finnish Open, Nikola Mikac moves to No.11.
Morten Jaksland’s title at the IWT French Open only strengthens his grip on the World No.1 spot. Jaksland is now almost 3,000 points ahead of his closest rival, Kresten Hougaard and goes into the World Championships as one of the leading contenders.
One eye-catching move is the fall of Leon Griffiths. Despite being one of the favourites for the upcoming World Championships, a quiet year means he has fallen two spots to No.21 and won’t be seeded for the tournament.
There were a handful of top-50 players who enjoyed healthy rises in the rankings this month. A standout debut year for Koen Hageraats is capped off with a 20 place move to No.41. Frenchman Damien Andre is up to No.37 while a busy month for Richard Middleton sees the +50 World Champion land at No.39. After finishing as runner-up in Sweden, Mikael Rehn sneaks into the top-50 once again, in at No.49.
Mixed Doubles: Christine Seehofer Back at the Top
The Mixed Doubles rankings have been one of the most frequently changing this year and November is no different. Eight of the top-10 players moved around this month. Most notably, Christine Seehofer returned to No.1, overtaking Morten Jaksland and her current World Championship partner Dan Busby to reach the summit. This move ensures that Seehofer once again sits atop the Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles World Rankings.
Seniors Mixed Doubles: Altmann at No.1 for the First Time
The only other change at No.1 in any ranking category comes in the Seniors Mixed Doubles. Silke Altmann has edged ahead of Switzerland’s Esther Dubendorfer to claim the top spot. This is a landmark moment for Altmann who becomes a World No.1 for the first time.
The full FIR World Rankings are available here.
Sam Barker / FIR Media Officer
Image Credit / Inge Omey
