Full Breakdown
Teqball Makes Historic Debut at the 2026 Asian Games, Crowned First Champions
By Drooid · · How we work
Event Overview
Teqball entered the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan as an official medal sport, with its first medals awarded on September 20 (scheduled) at the Higashi Sports Centre. The venue, which seats only a few hundred spectators, hosted five events. Thai athletes captured three titles, while South Korea’s Lee Jun-suk won the men’s singles gold and Myanmar’s Khin Hnin Wai secured the inaugural women’s singles gold. The competition marked the sport’s transition from a niche training exercise to a recognized multi-sport event.
Background & Context
The sport was invented in Hungary in 2014 by a former professional soccer player and a computer scientist who adapted a ping-pong table with a curved surface. The International Teqball Federation (ITF) was established in 2017 and has since organized world championships. Former soccer stars such as ex-Barcelona captain Carles Puyol have promoted the game, helping it gain a fan base across Asia. Its inclusion alongside other unconventional Asian Games disciplines—virtual taekwondo and esports—reflects a broader push for new, youth-oriented sports that could eventually join the Olympic programme.
Data & Statistics
- Men’s singles final: Lee Jun-suk (South Korea) defeated Iraq’s Ali Jalil Mezher Alelayawi 12-11, 12-5.
- Women’s singles final: Khin Hnin Wai (Myanmar) beat Indonesia’s Sumaya 10-12, 12-8, 12-9.
- Thai medal haul: three gold medals across men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a second men’s singles podium.
- Korean team composition: three male players (Lee Jun-suk, Lee Tae-been, Kim Eun-jun) and one female player (Jang Eun-sun), all amateurs; fewer than 20 athletes competed in national trials.
- Training constraints: The Korea Teqball Association is not a full member of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, preventing use of the Jincheon National Training Center. Athletes rented private facilities, purchased their own meals, and stayed in a cramped business hotel.
Official Statements & Responses
International Teqball Federation general secretary Laszlo Vajda described the Asian Games debut as “an amazing milestone” and expressed confidence that the event will persuade the International Olympic Committee to recognize teqball.
Former soccer star Carles Puyol highlighted the sport’s technical benefits, noting it helps professional players improve and serves as an effective warm-up.
On-the-Ground Reports
The Higashi Sports Centre’s modest crowd watched athletes exchange a football-sized ball over a curved table without using hands or arms. After his victory, Lee Jun-suk shouted “Mom” and later expressed elation, saying he “could die right now.” Puyol conducted a kick-around with Asian influencers and held a clinic at a nearby university, emphasizing the sport’s social-media appeal.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think it helps professional players improve technically, and also for warming up,” — Carles Puyol, ex-barcelona captain
- “I am so happy I could die right now,” — South Korea's Lee Jun-suk
- “I think we are paving a good path for teqball in Korea,” — Lee Jun-suk
What’s Next
The ITF views the Asian Games medal event as a stepping stone toward Olympic inclusion, hoping the International Olympic Committee will assess teqball’s relevance to youth audiences and global reach. No specific future dates have been announced.