Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – 27 November 2025:
The 2025 WPA African Heyball Open officially opened today at the stunning Hotel Concorde El Salam Sport, welcoming athletes from across the world with a vibrant and traditional local ceremony that showcased Egyptian culture, music, and hospitality. The atmosphere set the tone for an electrifying start to Africa’s premier international heyball championship.
This year’s event features 83 players across men’s and women’s divisions, all competing for a combined $116,000 prize pool—with $58,000 awarded in each discipline. As play began, spectators witnessed world-class shotmaking, early upsets, and dominant performances in the Round 1 and Winners Round 1 brackets.
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS – 2025 WPA African Heyball Open
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – 27 November 2025
Day 1 of the 2025 WPA African Heyball Open delivered a powerful start in Sharm El Sheikh as global athletes battled through the opening round of competition. With 57 men and 26 women in the field, the action was intense from the very first rack.
After a vibrant traditional Egyptian opening ceremony, play got underway across all tables — and the results did not disappoint.
MEN’S DIVISION – Players Enter the Last 32 (Winners’ Side)
Several top performers secured their spots in the Last 32 on the winners’ side, showing strong early form:
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Jack Joseph Whelan (GBR)
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Ankhtuya Delgerkhuu (MGL)
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Jason Theron (RSA)
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Arseny Sevastyanov (FIN)
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Stephen Ellis (GBR)
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Mikael Oegaard (NOR)
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Xin Liu (CHN)
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Jordan Shepherd (GBR)
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Jose Alberto Delgado (ESP)
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Sundeep Gulati (IND)
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Arfan Dad (PAK)
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Michal Turkowski (POL)
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Sina Valizadeh (BRN)
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Yuma Dorner (GER)
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Shivam Arora (IND)
These players remain undefeated and will continue on the winner’s path.
The remaining competitors move into the losers’ bracket, where they will fight for a second chance to stay alive in the tournament.
WOMEN’S DIVISION – Players Advance to the Last 16
A strong group of contenders punched their tickets into the Last 16, setting up a powerful Day 2 bracket:
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Tianqi Shi (CHN)
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Sara Rocha (POR)
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Wendy Jans (BEL)
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Ganbat Gan-Orkhon (MGL)
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Mary Talbot (GBR)
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Narantuya Bayarsaikhan (MGL)
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Marion Jude (FRA)
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April Larson (USA)
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Alexia Julius (RSA)
(and others completing the Round of 16 lineup)
Women who dropped their first matches will move to the second-chance bracket for another shot at progressing.
THE COMPETITION CONTINUES TOMORROW
Day 2 promises even more high-stakes matchups as:
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Men continue their battles through the Last 32 and elimination rounds
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Women push toward the quarterfinals and elimination rounds
Live coverage continues on WPALive.tv with full multi-table viewing.
To be continued tomorrow — Day 2 awaits.
A GLOBAL STAGE ON AFRICAN SOIL
This year’s edition of the WPA African Heyball Open brings together athletes from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas—making it one of the most diverse fields in the tournament’s history.
WPA President and event officials praised the local organizers for delivering a seamless and heartfelt opening, blending Egyptian tradition with world-class sporting standards.
Spectators can follow every match live through WpaLive.tv, with multi-table coverage available throughout the event.
EVENT DETAILS
📍 Venue: Hotel Concorde El Salam Sport, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
📅 Dates: 27–30 November 2025
💰 Prize Fund: $116,000 Total ($58,000 per division)
📺 Watch Live: WPALive.tv
📊 Full Draws:
Women – https://digitalpool.com/tournaments/2025-african-heyball-open-women/viewer
Men – https://digitalpool.com/tournaments/2025-african-heyball-open-men/viewer
