Teqball players aiming high
Athletes of unique sport, blending football and table tennis, aim to attract more people to the game, Xing Wen reports.
Her online presence has garnered more than 200,000 followers.
It was her juggling skills that caught Zhang's attention. He extended her an invitation to join his team and participate in the Qingdao Teqball Tour, which kicked off on Aug 4.
Gao found herself hooked after her initial experience with Teqball. "Every time I play Teqball, it feels like time flies by," she says.
As a female player, she noticed that Teqball requires participants to cover a smaller playing area, requires less intense physical contact and a relatively shorter match duration.
Both men and women can compete on an equal footing.
"Most of the time, I feel like I'm competing against myself. Ensuring I don't make mistakes and successfully volleying the ball onto the opponent's table feels like winning half the battle.
"Achieving beautiful teamwork with my teammates also gives me a great sense of accomplishment," she says.
The 22-year-old has applied for free Teqball tables from BODA to be installed at her university. She hopes to inspire more of her teammates to enjoy this unique variation of football.
She also sees significant potential for Teqball's growth in China. "It offers an easy entry point for football enthusiasts," she says. "Unlike full-sized football fields, Teqball tables require minimal space and can be conveniently placed in settings like residential communities and parks."
