Racketlon
Encyclopedia
Racketlon is a racquet-sport cousin of the triathlon
and decathlon
. It combines the four most popular racquetsports in a single match (table tennis
, badminton
, squash
and tennis
).
By definition, the game must be built on the concept of a match involving the same two individuals (or pairs in doubles) playing each other in all four sports - with identically formatted sets being played in each sport. The player (or pair) who wins most rallies in total is the winner of the racketlon match. The sets are played in the following order (from smaller to larger rackets): table tennis, badminton, squash, tennis. Other than short official rules, each of the four sports' matches are governed by their respective international rules.
The sport originated in Finland. Billed as the world's fastest growing sport, in terms of numbers of official players, it has grown by 300% in the last three years, with almost 2000 ranked players from 48 countries.
The first official world championship took place in November 2001, and the World Tour, which takes place in 15 countries, is now in its tenth year (2011). In 2011 the Singles World Champs take place in Vienna at the end of the year and the Teams in Milan in May.
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
and decathlon
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
. It combines the four most popular racquetsports in a single match (table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
and tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
).
By definition, the game must be built on the concept of a match involving the same two individuals (or pairs in doubles) playing each other in all four sports - with identically formatted sets being played in each sport. The player (or pair) who wins most rallies in total is the winner of the racketlon match. The sets are played in the following order (from smaller to larger rackets): table tennis, badminton, squash, tennis. Other than short official rules, each of the four sports' matches are governed by their respective international rules.
The sport originated in Finland. Billed as the world's fastest growing sport, in terms of numbers of official players, it has grown by 300% in the last three years, with almost 2000 ranked players from 48 countries.
The first official world championship took place in November 2001, and the World Tour, which takes place in 15 countries, is now in its tenth year (2011). In 2011 the Singles World Champs take place in Vienna at the end of the year and the Teams in Milan in May.