The biggest IBSA Showdown tournament in the sport’s history took place between 3-5 May in Tirrenia, Pisa, Italy, attracting 105 players from 14 countries.
 
An incredible 546 matches saw Poland and Finland emerge on top in the men’s and women’s competitions, respectively.
 
Jaana Pesari was the victor in the women’s tournament, staging a comeback against teammate Hanna Vilmi by 3 sets to 2 (11-3, 11-4, 3-11, 4-12, 5-11). Poland’s Elzbieta Mielczarek was third after winning her game against Slovenian Tanja Oranic.
 
Vilmi went on to receive the Comerro award for the Most Valuable Player in the women’s.
 
In the men’s the glory belonged to Poland’s Krystian Kisiel after he claimed the win against Slovenia’s Peter Zidar (11-5, 10-12, 11-9, 5-11, 10-13). Drawing after two sets, Kisiel made a slip in the third but recovered well in the final two sets and won the decider.
 
Kisiel’s compatriot Adrian Sloninka was third after beating France’s Matthieu Juglar in straight sets.
 
Zidar received the Schirru Award for the Most Valuable Player in the men’s.
 
The competition was dedicated to Polish Referee Michal Wrzesinski, who passed away in November 2017.  Agniesza Bardizik received an award in his memory for the youngest player at the tournament.
 
Sixteen international referees umpired Pisa 2018 which was organised by Togetherness Onlus Association, in partnership with FISPIC (Italian Paralympic Blind Sports Association) and the Olympic Beach Hotel. IBSA Showdown Committee Chairperson Massimo Sanapo was in attendance.
 
Full results can be found here.
 
Youtube videos of the tournament are available here. The prize giving and closing ceremony can be viewed here.
 
Pisa Open Local Organising Committee
Tournament Manager – Riccardo Santini
Tournament Coordinator – Elena Santini
Hotel Olympic Beach Le Torri Manager – Ivan Barile
 
Pisa 2018 was a crucial test for players ahead of the 2018 IBSA Showdown European Championships in Warsaw, Poland, between 22-26 August.