Press Release: Gothenburg Racketlon
World Open
Date: 2002-09-15
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The following press release has today been submitted on the international media arena. See also the Swedish version.
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WHO IS THE BEST RACKET PLAYER IN THE WORLD?
Gothenburg, Sweden, 2002-09-15
In the beginning of November (1st-3rd) the best racketplayer in
the world will be appointed in Gothenburg, Sweden. That is when
Gothenburg Racketlon World Open will take place. Racketlon is the
sport where players challenge each other in all four of the
World's major racket sports table tennis, squash, badminton and
tennis. Each discipline is played to 21 and the total number of
points are summed up to decide the winner.
About 100 players from at least seven different countries will
gather at the tournament, which is now being carried through for
the second time. Last year's event meant an international
breakthrough for the game of Racketlon. It was the first
tournament in the history of Racketlon with participants from
more than one country. Since then another two international
Racketlon competitions have been played - one in Finland, the
other in Scotland. Scottish Open became the first Racketlon
competition outwith Scandinavia and the spreading continues as an
English Open will take place in London in the beginning of
October.
The biggest novelty in this year's World Open is the team
tournament for national teams. Sort of a "Davis Cup"
for Racketlon. Team matches contain four regular Racketlon
matches; three men's and one ladies'. For the first time in
history the best racketnation in the world will be appointed. The
two dominant Racketlon powers at present, Finland and Sweden,
will be challenged by teams from Scotland, England, Germany and
France.
The individual tournament will also attract considerable
attention. This year's tournament is, like last year's
tournament, set to be the best Racketlon tournament that has ever
been played. Prize money will be introduced. The winner will
receive a prize cheque the size of which will be decided by an
internet sponsorship auction that is currently going on at
www.racketlon.com ! One of the competitiors for this is the
Swedish Champion of the last three years, former ice hockey
professional(!) Magnus Eliasson. He seeks revenge for last year's
defeat against Finland's Mikko Kärkkäinen, defending Champion
of the World. It has been confirmed that the charismatic Swedish
#1 has trained harder than ever before since then... In addition
it is likely that everybody(!) on the World Top 10 list will
attend and there will also be serious challengers from new
Racketlon nations like England, France and Germany. Which is very
interesting considering the fact that Racketlon is still unknown
enough for new stars to emerge over night. The best racketplayer
in the World might well hide among people that have not yet tried
Racketlon!
A particular challenge is coming from Sweden's former top
international tennis player Magnus Gustafsson who played his last
tournament on the ATP circuit one week before he took part in
last year's Racketlon World Open. Since then Gustafsson has
engaged in intense Racketlon training leading to rapid
improvement and he has now entered the Elite class thereby for
the first time challenging the best racket players in the World.
Gothenburg Racketlon World Open will be played at Alelyckan's
Sportcenter in Gothenburg. In addition to the Elite categories
there will be several amateur categories for men, ladies and
veterans. Management welcome media! Please, contact the
Gothenburg Racketlon media officer at
Gothenburg_Racketlon@Hotmail.com
Read more about Racketlon at www.racketlon.com where e.g. a
comprehensive introduction to the game of Racketlon can be found
(look under "THE GAME")
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