Day two of the 2023 FIR Racketlon World Doubles Championships saw Jacobsen retain her title with Bramhall, Luke Griffiths and Myriam Enmer take the mixed elite title, and in a repeat final of last year the Griffiths came out on top once again taking their second consecutive title.
Women’s Elite – Bramhall/Jacobsen are the 2023 FIR Racketlon women’s doubles world champions
Two upsets in the women’s semi-finals as Bramhall/Jacobsen and Fischer/Paul defeated higher ranked opponents in two high quality matches. Top seeds Ahlmer/Enmer started off on the back foot against Bramhall/Jacobsen, losing table-tennis 21-19 and badminton 21-17. They fought back in squash, taking it 21-16 which gave Bramhall/Jacobsen a +1 lead into tennis. Tennis was an incredibly close and tense match. They were trading points, and it looked like Ahlmer/Enmer were slightly running away with the match. Bramhall/Jacobsen stayed composed, playing solid lobs and keeping the ball in, taking the lead at 17-16 and eventually the match 21-19. The overall score was +3 (21-19 21-17 16-21 21-19).
The second semi-final was between Americans Chung/Schickerling and Fischer/Paul. Chung/Schickerling took table tennis 21-19 before losing badminton 10-21. Fischer/Paul went from strength to strength, taking squash 21-14, where especially Fischer raised her level, which only left them with 6 points in tennis. They got to 6-6 to seal the match and book their spot in the final. The overall score was +16 (19-21 21-10 21-14 6-6).
The final started with Bramhall/Jacobsen taking table tennis and Fischer/Paul taking badminton, which meant that they went into squash with an even score. Bramhall/Jacobsen took squash 21-12 to go into tennis with a +8 lead. They fell behind in tennis with a score of 4-11, but just as earlier in the semi-finals they managed to turn it around. Great tactical play and nerves of steel as they sealed the match at 13-14 with an overal score of +8 (21-18 18-21 21-12 13-14).
The 3/4 playoff was won by Chung/Schickerling, who defeated first seeds Ahlmer/Enmer in a tight match. Chung/Schickerling lost table tennis 21-23, and badminton 12-21 but fought back taking squash 21-10. They played very well in tennis, taking it up to another level and won 21-10. The overall score was +4 (21-23 12-21 21-17 21-10).
A second men’s elite doubles title for Leon and Luke Griffiths
It’s a repeat final for the men as both Leon and Luke Griffiths and Jaksland/Hougaard made their way to the final. The Griffiths brothers started with a deficit against Plettenberg/Thyregod, losing table tennis 21-23. They managed to take badminton 21-14 before losing a tight squash match 19-21. They played some good tennis to take the match 19-13 and book their second consequtive final at the FIR Racketlon World Championships.
The other semi-final was between Hageraats/Lenggenhager and Hougaard/Jaksland. Hougaard/Jaksland lost table tennis 14-21 but were playing a lot better than yesterday, taking badminton 21-10, squash 21-18 and stormed ahead in tennis taking the match 15-4. The overall score was +18 (14-21 21-10 21-18 15-4).
The final was a repeat from last year, again, Hougaard/Jaksland won table tennis, this time 21-14. Griffiths/Griffiths fougth back, taking badminton 21-8. Squash was incredibly close, Jaksland/Hougaard edging ahead but Griffiths/Griffiths managed to take it 25-23. Leon and Luke came into tennis with a +7 lead and only needed 14 points. It was a bit different, playing on the clay as the grass courts are closed in the evening, but both pairs adapted well. Leon and Luke stayed strong and played some excellent tennis to win their second world title together. The overall score was +14 (14-21 21-8 25-23 14-8). The bronze medal match went to Hageraats/Lenggenhager who defeated Plettenberg/Thyregod +9 (21-13 14-21 21-8 8-13).
Mixed title for Griffiths and Enmer
Luke Griffiths and Myriam Enmer took out top seeds Stine Jacobsen and Cornelius Radermacher to clinch their first Mixed Doubles title. Jacobsen/Radermacher got off to a good start, winning table tennis 21-16 and taking a lead in badminton, but Enmer/Griffiths fought back to edge it 22-20. Jacobsen took a lead in squash, 11-9, but Griffiths was slightly too strong for Radermacher, winning the game 21-15. They went into tennis with a +3 lead, and were never in any trouble as they stormed ahead to a 19-7 victory with an ace by Luke, winning their first mixed elite world doubles title. The overall score was +20 +20 (15-21 21-17 21-14 17-2). Griffiths has now won gold in all elite categories, which is an incredible achievement. It’s also a great result for the current singles World Champion Enmer, who was out with a thumb injury since December. Ahlmer/Thyregod defeated K A/Narayanaswamy +15 (21-11 21-17 16-21 13-7).
Open categories – titles for Cheng/Ching Ng, Jaussein/Adler, Chan/Cheung and Wavre/Vaubert
The men’s B was won by fourth seeds Cheng/Ching Ng who defeated UK’s Bishop/Ridout +12 (18-21 21-6 18-21 13-10). The bronze medal went to Böhm/Mamié. The women’s B was won by top seeds Jaussein/Adler who defeated Cavé/Russel +9 (13-21 9-21 21-6 21-7). The bronze medal went to Chan/Thaker. The mixed B was won by Joyce Chan and Kevon Ho who beat Ranson/Langworthy in the final. Jaussein/Duval finished third.
The Men’s C was won by Chan/Cheung who defeated Goldman/Porush +13 (21-17 21-3 10-21 11-9). Dyson/Trueman took the bronze medal. The mixed C was won by top seeds Wavre/Vaubert who beat King/Foulds +22 (21-6 21-11 18-21) in the final. Dübendorfer/L Mamié finished third.
Men’s B | Women’s B | Mixed B | Men’s C | Mixed C
Pye/Ranson take Girls U21 title
Pye/Ranson stayed undefeated in the girls u21 doubles as they beat Steiner/Zobačová +36 (21-5 21-12 21-10) and Lau/Ogram +18 (21-6 17-21 19-21 13-4) to take the title. Lau/Ogram finished second and Steiner/Zobačová finished third. The mixed U21 final will be between top seeds Ogram/Griffiths who defeated Steiner/Harca +21 (21-16 21-15 21-13 3-1). They face fellow Brits Ranson/Davidson who overcame another British pair Pye/Wilson by +8 (19-21 21-13 21-17 12-14).
Senior titles for Fyrst/Smit
Top seeds Fyrst/Smit took the seniors +40 title by defeating Larsson/Lesser +24 (17-21 21-6 21-8). Browning/Rank took the bronze medal. The women’s +40 was won by Kaptein/Dübendorfer who beat Maldre/Shelley in the final. Bronze was won by Ball/Galsworthy. Fyrst/Smit took two titles today as they also won the +45. The seniors +50 title went to Bech-Azeddine/Steinmetz who defeated Foulds/Steeden +16 (22-20 21-4 13-21 11-6). Suorsa/Vuorinen won the battle for third place. The Mixed +50 was won by Bramhall/Crowther who took an incredibly tight game against Galsworthy/Lau winning by just 1 point. Shelley/Steinmetz took silver and Galsworthy/Lau bronze. The +55 title went to Langston/Lau who defeated top seeds Gentile/Grab. Böhm/Sock finished third.
Seniors +40 | Women’s +40 | Seniors +45 | Seniors +50 | Mixed +50 | Seniors +55
Tomorrow is the start of the IWT London Open, matches will start at 8AM and the elite matches will start at 10:15AM. Follow our social media for the livescore and livestream.
Sanne Veldkamp/FIR Media Officer
