A Racketlon tournament took place on the Rhodes University campus recently. Racketlon is a tournament requiring teams of four (two men and two women), with each member competing in the four racquet sports: badminton, squash, table tennis, and tennis. The event was organised by the four respective Rhodes clubs.
A Racketlon tournament took place on the Rhodes University campus recently. Racketlon is a tournament requiring teams of four (two men and two women), with each member competing in the four racquet sports: badminton, squash, table tennis, and tennis. The event was organised by the four respective Rhodes clubs.
The first day's play favoured the players with much sunshine and promise of good weather, and so began the tournament. Several teams competed, sporting team colours and interesting team names, ranging from The Super Special Cool Kids to The Perverted Panthers.
Each sport division except squash required each team to divide itself into two pairs, with each pair playing doubles matches.
To avoid drawing out the tournament for too long, each match required pairs to play for points, with the winner being the pair that reached 21 points first. That way everyone got to experience a good match in each sport.
Tennis was up first, making full use of the good weather. Many weren’t familiar with the proper serves and made use of underhand serves, to the amusement of the other players. The experts had the others running around.
Badminton was the second sport, and was unfamiliar for many of the players. However, it proved quick to learn. Table tennis came next. Most residences already have table tennis tables and so many have developed the necessary wrist action to get the balls in the right spots.
Last, squash was played. Here, players had to get serious and play against their opponents one-on-one. No longer could they put the blame on their partners for any lost points.
In the end, the winning team was Team BMW, with members Roxanne Fietze, Matthew Nolden, Carmen Foster, and Jacques de Villiers. They won most of their matches, being three points shy of full marks.
