18th October, Munich 18-year-old Hong Kong, China national athlete, Jovi Ma Ka Yin was crowned the IBF World Cup 2026 Singles champion after defeating Gregory Riusof of France, 2-0 (202-201, 203-198) in the finals of the 2026 IBF World Cup on Sunday.
Ma has earlier ousted Mathijs Beverdam of the Netherlands, 2-0 (211-202, 218-213) in the first semi-finals match to advance to the final. Rius had to go into the third deciding match after tieing one-all (234-247, 267-224) by winning 220-173 in the other semi-finals to face Ma.
The champion edged Aseed Alroomi of Kuwait, 2-1 (232-233, 195-183, 204-203) in a closely fought quarter-finals match to advance to the semi-finals. In the Round of 16, Ma defeated Adrian Tokashiki of Peru, 2-1 (289-282, 192-215, 213-184) while his team-mate, Keith Mark took out Giorgio Gragnaniello of Italy 2-1 (198-213, 237-168, 232-199).
Men's Singles gold medalist, Jovi Ma with coach, Francois Louw
But Mark lost to Riusof, 1-2 (226-174, 233-266, 211-245) in the quarter-finals. In the Round of 32, Ma ousted Roko Knezic of Coratia, 2-0 (203-199, 203-153) to progress to the Round of 16 while Mark outclassed Mikael Aron Vilhelmsson of Iceland, 2-0 (259-199, 247-177) in the Round of 32.
Athletes were divided into four groups of four pools during the 11-matches qualifying rounds. Ma topped Group A Pool 2 with 10 wins for a total of 30 points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw). The top 2 from each pool advanced to the Round of 32.
Mark joined Ma in the Round of Top 31 after finishing second in Group B Pool 4 with 0 wins and a total of 27 points. Wu Siu Hong failed to advance after finishing sixth with 6 wins and 18 points while Dylam Lam Nok Him narrowly missed the cut when he finished third with 7 wins on 21 points.
This is the second time a Team Hong Kong, China athlete has won the Men's Singles title at the World Cup. The first was Wu Siu Hong, who was crowned champion at the 2015 event held in Las Vegas, USA. Eleven years later, Team Hong Kong, China athlete Jovi Ma has claimed the title once again, becoming the second Team Hong Kong, China athlete to be crowned champion a World Cup event—a result of extraordinary significance.
Team Hong Kong, China will compete in the Men's Team of Four (Bakers' Format) on October 19 (German time) over 11 head-to-head round-robin matches. The teams will be divided into four groups and the top 4 from each group will qualify for the Round of 16.
Photos coutesy of HKCTBC.
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