Chengdu, CHINA – August 14, 2025 – South Africa’s Jason Theron secured a silver medal in the Mixed Heyball competition at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China Tianfu Campus Gymnasium, concluding a strong run that began on August 10 and finished on Thursday, August 14.
Road to the Final
Theron opened his campaign with a solid 5–3 victory over Thailand’s Waratthanun Sukritthanes, followed by a convincing 5–2 win against Chile’s Alejandro Carvajal. In the semifinal, he overcame China’s Chunxiao Tang 5–3, displaying composure under pressure to advance to the gold medal match.
In the final, Theron faced Taiyi Zhang of China. Despite a competitive contest, the South African fell short, losing 3–5 to settle for the silver medal.
Reflections After the Event
Following the final, Theron acknowledged both his disappointment at missed opportunities and his pride in the achievement. On his Facebook page, he wrote:
“What can I say, mixed emotions lol, definitely had my chances to win the gold, pressure definitely got to me. Missing the 6 ball to go 3-2 up and the blackball to make it 4-all will hurt for a while. But saying that, I am very proud to have won a silver medal for my country in the mixed heyball division. To each and everyone of you who messaged me and supported me along this journey of mine I cannot express my gratitude to you all.”
He also confirmed he will be returning home for a short rest before travelling back to China in two weeks for his next competition.
Tournament Experience in China
After his semifinal victory, Theron described the overall experience in China as memorable, praising the hospitality of the hosts. He highlighted the standard of competition and the atmosphere in the athletes’ village:
“All my matches were tough, and somehow I managed to hold it together and come through on the winning end every time. The buzz in the village has been amazing, meeting athletes from all around the world, and it’s something I’ve not experienced before in my life.”
About Heyball
Heyball is a cue sport that combines elements of snooker and pool, played on a smaller snooker table with pool balls. It features 15 object balls divided into solids and stripes, with unique rules around open play and group assignment. Players must clear their assigned group before attempting the 8-ball, making tactical precision an important part of the game.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
For More South African World Games News:
Lovemore claims double silver for Team SA at The World Games in Chengdu
2025 World Games: South Africa’s Compact Team in a Global Celebration of Niche Sports
