The World Racketlon Tour expanded to a new country last weekend. As discussed in the tournament preview, this was not the first ever New Zealand Racketlon Open, but it was the first time this event was officially on the FIR World Tour.
Wiggin dominant from beginning to end
Sion Wiggin defeated Luke Jones in his first match and then doubles partner Julian Main without taking a tennis racquet out of his bag.
In the semi final, the Aucklander started strongly with a patient table tennis set against Leigh Sands, which took pressure off the rest of the match.
Sands was frustrated by his performance in the table tennis. “I tried to open up with some topspins, but kept pushing it long. I think my feet weren’t in position early enough,” he explained. “[It’s] something to work on when I get back to Sydney, for sure.”
The Australian raised the intensity through the badminton and squash, but was unable to reduce the deficit. Sion gave his tennis racquet a brief cameo (3-2) before earning his place in the final.
Palmerston North local Matt Ball almost upsets Kashif Shuja in quarter final
After beating Luke Jones on Friday, Kashif Shuja’s journey to the final was almost undone in the quarter final by former table tennis professional, Matt Ball.
As expected, Matt dominated the table tennis and the 5-time National Squash Champion returned the favour in the squash. A narrow win in the badminton meant the Taupo resident needed 16 in tennis. Matt won the tennis, but not before Kashif reached 18 points.
Kashif was clinical in his semi final against Over 45 National Tennis Champion, Sean Martin. Sean was unable to showcase his best sport, because Kashif was able to restrict him to single figures in both badminton and squash.
Badminton and table tennis key to Wiggin’s success
Racketlon players typically begin their career with one or two strong sports, but they get thrashed in the sports they have less experience in. Players can usually improve their weaker sports, but it takes hard work to get there.
Sion Wiggin was no different, being very strong in squash and tennis, but considerably weaker in the first two.
It is perhaps even more rewarding for Wiggin that he gained advantage in the final from his two weaker sports.
“I’ve been playing a lot of table tennis at the end of last year and that definitely played a vitally important part today… probably the best table tennis I’ve played.”
After a disappointing 7-21 loss in the badminton, Shuja fought back with some scintillating form in the squash. Shuja led 11-3 at the break, before Wiggin responded.
“I know he’s a bit of a legend in squash, so I know you’ve gotta be at your best playing him… I had to really think about keeping that ball a bit tighter and I think that was the key change.”
The final scores: Sion Wiggin defeated Kashif Shuja, 21-11 21-7 13-21 6-2 (+20).
“It’s an amazing feeling winning at home”
It is the second World Tour singles title for the former World Number 9, after winning the Australian Open last year.
“I’ve always wanted to play in an international event here and it’s amazing to be the first winner.”
Leigh Sands defeated Sean Martin for the bronze medal.

Romero Gemmell defends Women’s Singles title
Anabel Romero Gemmell was successful in defence of her title, winning before tennis against both of her opponents.
“Abbie and Holly are both really good squash players, and squash is my main sport [too], so we had pretty big battles on the squash court, but we’re all pretty even on the other sports.”
The scoresheet paints a different picture to Anabel’s modest words. The squash pro was in ruthless form, winning every sport against both opponents, except for a consolation tennis set against Holly Shuja.
Holly was successful in her match against Abbie Holmes to secure the silver medal.

Could we see Anabel playing racketlon abroad?
The 3-time New Zealand Junior squash representative was quizzed about the possibility of playing racketlon outside of New Zealand.
“Maybe if I was overseas for a squash tournament and then there was a racketlon tournament the next weekend,” the 17-year-old pondered. “And I could play doubles with my Dad. That would be a lot of fun!”
For those of you who are not aware, Anabel’s Dad is Victor Romero, a former tennis professional who represented Mexico in the Davis Cup. Victor is also a New Zealand National Doubles Squash Champion and the 2024 New Zealand Racketlon champion, defeating Sion Wiggin in the final by 1 point.

Mixed Doubles
Abbie Holmes bounced back from her two losses in the Women’s Singles to take the Mixed Doubles title. Teaming up with Callum Old, the pair from Taranaki defeated Ella Steventon and Luke Jones in the final.
A strong badminton performance from Abbie and Callum nullified Ella and Luke’s wins in table tennis and squash. Whoever won tennis would take the title. Despite this, all four athletes appeared very relaxed, clearly enjoying the battle.
Ultimately Callum Old showed his tennis experience, steering his pair to a 21-13 victory.
Four pairs contested the Men’s B Grade Doubles, before Jack Oliver & Daniel Guildford defeated Sean Edmonds & Matt Power in the final.
Five Men’s Doubles pairs played each other on a busy Sunday
Tournament director Owen Mugridge organised the draw such that Sion Wiggin and Julian Main faced Aussie pair Leigh Sands and Stuart Bromley in the last match of the day.
This match was ultimately the final, with both pairs remaining undefeated until they met. But there was a near upset in the first match of the day.
Father-son combination Sean & Hayden Martin recovered from a horror 7-21 table tennis against the Aussies to almost pinch the match. Leigh & Stuart needed just 3 in tennis, but became increasingly nervous as the set wore on. They scored their third point when the Martins were on 13.
Sean & Hayden were able to recover to win the bronze medal match against Matt Ball & badminton star Josh Curry.
Close sets in the final, but all one way traffic
The last match of the tournament was the Men’s A Grade Doubles final. The Kiwis got their noses in front early and did not relent.
“Even though we won the first three sports, they were all super tight and it could’ve gone anyone’s way,” Sion recalled. “So it was very fortunate that we were able to sneak those three… it might’ve made it even tougher in the tennis.”
Squash in racketlon is played in two halves, rather than a proper doubles squash set. Typically (but not always) the weaker squash player from each pair will play against each other first to 11 points, then the stronger players complete the set to 21.
Julian Main played against Stuart Bromley first, then took a seat to watch the rest of the squash.
“The last half was a pleasure to watch, Leigh and Sion play,” Julian said. “Good quality.”
“And tennis, not so much,” Leigh interjected.
“Yeah, we won’t mention the tennis!” Julian agreed.
Final scores: Julian Main & Sion Wiggin (NZ) defeated Leigh Sands & Stuart Bromley 21-12 21-19 21-19 9-1 (+21).

Doubles facts:
- Third NZ Doubles title for Julian Main & Sion Wiggin, but first one as World Tour event
- Third NZ Doubles runner-up for Leigh Sands, previous two with Eric Durand
- Second World Tour elite Doubles title for Sion Wiggin, after winning the 2023 CHA Racket Masters Augsberg with Stefan Neumann

The next tournament on the FIR World Tour is the IWT Hong Kong Open 2025, which commences this Friday. Draws are now live on Tournament Software.