posted Apr 11th, 2025 - The 8-way competition at the FAI Indoor World Championship 2025 was promising an even tighter battle than expected between the three medal contenders from the United States, France and Qatar after the scores for Round 1 were posted.

The previews related to the new French 8-way team D'Arc8 made it look like France could be able to challenge the 8-way superpower and reigning world champions of GKXP8. The scores of Round 1 confirmed the potential for a tight competition, even with the Qatar Falcons in reach of the top spot, as well.

The hopes for an exciting 8-way competition lasted only for one round and until XPG8 noticed that a walk in the park would probably not be enough to fend off the two opponents. They picked up the pace in Round 2 and made clear that they had no plans of allowing either France or Qatar anywhere near to their top spot.

It continued the same way in the next two rounds until there was finally a 16-point lead for the U.S. 8-way team after the four rounds on the first day. Even the competition for the 2nd place between D'Arc8 and Falcons seemed to be over just after Round 2 when the French team won by four points over Qatar.

FAI Indoor World Championship 2025			1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		Total	Avg
Rank	8-way Open		D,4,17		C,22,10		5,P,Q,18		1,M,J,O		16,6,19		H,8,21		12,13,A		L,G,K,9		15,F,7		E,2,N,B		TBD		Total	Avg
1	Paraclete XP8	US	39	-1	30		31		40	-1	-		-		-		-		-		-		-		140	35.0
2	D'Arc8	FR	38		26		26	-1	34	-1	-		-		-		-		-		-		-		124	31.0
3	Qatar Falcons	QA	37		22	-4	26	-2	30	-5	-		-		-		-		-		-		-		115	28.8
4	China	CN	24		18	-1	19	-1	23	-2	-		-		-		-		-		-		-		84	21.0
5	Netunos	BR	20	-3	18		20	-1	23		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		81	20.3
6	Team Canada	CA	18	-1	14		13	-3	17		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		62	15.5

At least the silver medal position still seemed to be in contention, as the Qatar Falcons only lost Round 2 to D'Arc8 after four point deductions, and both teams tied their scores in Round 3. In fact, both 8-way teams behind GKXP8 are on exactly the same pace. They would be tied in 2nd place before penalties.

Qatar Falcons have lost a total of 11 points in the first four rounds, France only two. Both teams would have a total of 126 points after Round 4 without the respective point deductions. This means that it will be very difficult for Qatar Falcons to reduce the distance and catch up with the French 8-way team.

It would require the Qatar team to increase the pace, which would probably increase the potential for more mistakes and point deductions. D'Arc8 are in a comfortable position by now, as they only have to continue doing on the second day what they have been doing in the first four rounds to secure the 2nd place. Martial Ferre has all the competitive experiences that it takes to understand the situation after Round 4 and guide his team in the right direction. GKXP8 is out of reach for D’Arc8 and Qatar Falcons both, and Martial Ferre does not have to take any chances trying to catch the U.S. team. The next four 8-way rounds are scheduled for this afternoon.

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