USAA 2015 World Air Hockey Championships Sees Record Turnout

HOUSTON -- The United States World Air Hockey Association held its 2015 World Championships at TDECU Stadium Club on the University of Houston campus. Taking place Oct. 15-18, the tournament drew 137 players in the main singles bracket. They included new players from the university and a contingent from local Boys and Girls Clubs, who help set a record turnout for the air hockey tourney.

Air hockey sensation Colin "The Prodigy" Cummings of Beaumont, TX, won the tournament. At just 16 years of age, he became the youngest player to win a USAA champion title. In 2015, Cummings won every major air hockey tournament.

Four-time finalist Pedro Otero of Caracas, Venezuela, placed second; 11-time champion Danny Hynes of Houston took third; four-time champion Billy Stubbs of Chicago placed fourth; and Brian Quezada of Chicago was fifth.

Chris Gibson of Houston won the handicap (point spot) tournament. Danny Hynes and Ehab Shoukry captured the title in the doubles tournament, which drew 64 players. Jeorgia Rodriguez of Houston was crowned the women's champion.

The USAA World Air Hockey Championships is sponsored by Valley-Dynamo, Gold Standard Games/Shelti and Quickpassport.com, along with local businesses. This year's tournament marked the 40th anniversary of the USAA's founding, which was commemorated in a proclamation by the mayor of Houston.

"This was a great venue for the biggest USAA tournament ever, and is part of our effort to invigorate the air hockey market by getting college students and youth groups involved in the sport," said Mark Robbins of Gold Standard Games.

Mick White of Valley-Dynamo added, "We are always supportive of efforts to promote the sport of air hockey and expand the player base."

facebook.com/USAirhockey