Belgium claims triumph in Quidditch World Cup
b>Belgium clinches first European Quadball World Cup title
b>In Tubize, Belgium captured the coveted world championship on Sunday, becoming the sport’s inaugural European champion.
What’s Quadball?
- Officially renamed from Quidditch in 2022, the game translates the wizard‑inspired fantasy into a fast‑paced athletic contest.
- Players sprint with sticks between their legs, aiming to loft balls through hoops at a rate that keeps rivals on their toes.
Global field
- 31 teams representing continents from Latin America to Africa to Vietnam competed in the sixth edition.
- The local football grounds attracted about 2,000 fans watching the decisive match.
Belgium dominates
- In the final, Belgium defeated Germany 170–90, sealing its historic victory.
- Player Seppe De Wit, with 12 years of experience, expressed immense pride and described the day as one of the “best of my life.”
- Meanwhile, the United States, traditionally the dominant force, has earned four world titles.
Beyond the books
- The sport’s administrators have actively pushed for sovereignty over its Harry Potter roots, striving for recognition as a standalone discipline.
- Quadball’s mixed‑team format has also deliberately detached itself from J.K. Rowling’s controversial statements on transgender rights, which have sparked backlash among advocacy groups.
- Organizers at the three‑day tournament emphasized inclusivity, welcoming participants from all backgrounds.
Voices of belonging
- Japan’s captain Leo Makoto Yazaki Levine highlighted the welcoming atmosphere: “I can be myself without hiding any part of me.”
- Levine added that he feels “open and able to talk to anyone,” a sentiment that underscores the community’s acceptance regardless of gender identity.
