Wednesday, July 31, 2024

2024 World Footbag Championships update

 Hello fellow footbag enthusiasts!

The 2024 World Footbag Championships saw their 3rd day action cancelled today due to adverse weather, namely lots of rain. 

I've been watching some of the Footbag net (Kick Volley) competition on Monday and Tuesday and, already, saw some very good matches. I'll be attending the 3 remaining days non stop and filming lots. 


Links

Just a few links to start you up if you don't know where to go for the best info:
The official website, in french and english is at: https://akiquebec.org
The Facebook page of the event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555965686460
The net competitions results are displayed on the tournament software at:
https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draws.aspx?id=BD8C8961-10FF-4442-8BD7-B8688E1203F1


First Impressions and pictures

It is the fifth time that the World Footbag Championships land in Montreal after the 1996, 1998, 2004 and 2013 editions. The current one is produced with minimal means but the spirit is intact. It's so much fun to see the enthusiasm of the players on and off the courts, makes me a little bit emotional to see all my old and newer friends flock to our beloved city for the annual footbag pilgrimage.

Our local club, Aki Québec, is doing very well with established top players as well as new sensations. 

Portland, Oregon is back at it


So far, one of the best stories I've heard originates from the cradle of the sport. Indeed, the great Kenny Shults, my first mentor and nemesis, started practicing again at the demand of his son Jasper, who wanted to do well in the tournament.
Kenny himself, is still going strong in the tournament, being in the quarter finals in open singles and open doubles net and Jasper shows great improvement and lots of grit.
To complement this story, Kenny also asked his old time partner, Mag Hughes 73, to compete with him in the masters division. I personally experienced the Mag Hughes effect, aka the coach, when I went to the ''Mag Hughes net training camp'' in 1989 and 1990 to overhaul the technical level of our Montreal club, and mine of course.


The master himself, Ken Shults looking at his partner getting ready to receive a serve

More pictures

Here are some more random pictures that I took from the open doubles prelims.


Wiktor Debski, side kick
Wiktor Debski, side kick

Yves Kreil, Scuff

Yves Kreil, Pull Down

Ken Shults, Sweep

Chris Cleaver and Jasper Shults

Eurik Lindner ducks a spike

Zack Bourdeau Pouplier jousts Ben Alston

Zack slaps the footbag
The Brotherhood of Yves, Kreil and Archambault
Walt Houston, Devastating Sweep

Yves Kreil breaks the plane to attempt a block

More to come as the tournament progresses

I'll post some more images and comments here as the tournament advances. In the meantime, keep on kicking or whatever you like to do to stay fit. 😎






3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome write up and pics, Yves, thanks for sharing

Danny Botkin said...

Thanks for your Summary. What fun wish I was there. Love from laughing dog farm!

footbagarchives said...

Thanks Danny, It's a story of love and passion, it was, indeed, great fun! So happy that the youngsters continue to organize these beautiful tournaments in my beloved city. Love from Montreal!