Both compass-supported players Görkem Öcal (Turkiye) and Danilo Faso (Italy) made their senior World Championships debuts when the competition celebrated its 100th anniversary—just like in 1926, it was held in London. And both performed very well. Görkem won two matches for Türkiye, and Danilo also secured two wins for Italy.

Türkiye had to face Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Egypt in the first group stage. Görkem, just 14 years old, began his World Championships debut with a victory—3:1 against Alan Kurmangaliyev, who is ranked 159 in the world (while Görkem is ranked 226). Görkem also lost one match—to Kazakhstan’s number one, Kirill Gerassimenko. In the team match, Kazakhstan won 3:1.

“I was very excited before the tournament because it was my first time competing in a senior World Championship,” Görkem said. “When I stepped out for my first match, my heart was racing. In the end, I won that first match with a strong performance. I believe I played my signature style—staying close to the table and being aggressive—very well during the Kazakhstan match. It is a great honour to be on this stage.”

Against Thailand, Türkiye managed to win 3:1, with Görkem Öcal contributing by overcoming Phakpoom Sanguansin 3:2, taking the decider 11:8 in the opening—and therefore very important—match.

Against Egypt, in the third encounter of the group, Türkiye lost 2:3. A win would have meant qualification for the next stage of the tournament. Instead, Türkiye finished third, and their World Championships campaign was over—for now.

Against Egypt, Görkem lost both of his matches—0:3 to Youssef Abdelaziz and 1:3 to Omar Assar.

Gökmen Öcal, Görkem’s father and coach, added:

“I didn’t go to London. I watched Görkem’s first match on TV and recorded it as a keepsake since it was his first-ever Senior World Championship appearance. I had full confidence in him; from the very beginning, I told him that this arena is very important for him and that he should just enjoy the moment. In my opinion, he put on a great performance. I am incredibly happy for him. Now, the time has come to see Görkem in the senior arena much more often.”

Danilo Faso, 15, was nominated for the Italian team, who received a walkover against Togo in their first match of the initial qualification group. Thereafter, Italy lost 0:3 to Austria, but Danilo came closest among the Italians to winning a match, losing 8:11 in the fifth game to Andreas Levenko, who is ranked 177 in the world (Danilo is ranked 320).

In the third match, Italy overcame Malaysia quite comfortably, 3:1, but Danilo did not participate.

After the group stage, Italy had to face Argentina in the preliminary round for the playoff stage with the last 32 teams. Italy won 3:0, with Danilo defeating Francisco Sanchi in straight games.

In the round of the last 32, Italy faced Croatia and lost 1:3. The only Italian to win a singles match was Danilo, who, in his best performance during these World Team Championships, defeated Ivor Ban, ranked 152 in the world: 11:6, 11:5, 8:11, 12:10.

Danilo Faso was very satisfied after this second experience with the Italian senior national team, following his first appearance at the European Championships in Croatia about half a year ago.

“I played three matches and felt I was competitive in all of them,” Danilo stated. “I felt more stable and I felt I could play my own game, being aggressive and staying close to the table.

Against Austria I lost to Levenko 2:3, 8:11 in the decider after being up 1:0 and 10:8, so I felt I could have won. I knew Sanchi from a tournament in Italy, and to defeat Ivor Ban, a strong Bundesliga player, was my best match in London.”

Against Ban, the 15-year-old Danilo played under heavy pressure, as Italy had already lost the first two matches. Another loss would have ended their World Championship campaign. But Danilo managed to perform very well and won 3:1—11:6, 11:5, 8:11 in the first three games.

“In the fourth, I was down 6:9 but managed to win 12:10.”

Thereafter, compatriot John Oyebode won, but in the final and decisive match Danilo’s second teammate Matteo Mutti lost, which meant a 2:3 defeat and that Italy was out of the tournament.

Still, it was a great and important experience for Danilo, as his father and coach Marco Faso concluded:

“To be part of such a tournament is a big thing. Being in the same training hall as the very best players in the world, watching them, speaking with them, and then trying to defeat them—that is a very important experience.”

And compass expert coach Bogdan Pugna was also pleased with what he saw in London:

“Both Görkem and Danilo showed mental strength and played aggressively. They proved they belong at the senior level.”