The Japanese women’s team are the big movers in October’s IBSA Goalball world rankings following their win at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Japan overcame Paralympic silver medallists China in the final in Jakarta for their first win at the competition. Their gold medal-winning performance sees them move from fifth to fourth in the rankings.

The Asian Para Games were main event to effect the world rankings last month.

As a result Turkey, China and Brazil all retain their strong respective top three positions. The USA, Canada, Israel and Australia occupy the sixth to ninth places.

The Algerian women and men also leapt forward in October.

The women’s side move into 10th from 16th, replacing Greece. In the men’s they moved from 15th to equal their compatriot’s position.

Elsewhere in the men’s Iran retain fifth place following their 10-8 win over China in the final of the Asian Para Games.

Lithuania, Germany, Brazil and Belgium remain the current world top four.

The next major competitions currently scheduled in goalball are the 2019 IBSA Goalball and Judo International Qualifier in Fort Wayne, USA, from 29 June – 9 July; the 2019 IBSA Goalball European Championships A in Rostock, Germany, from 5-14 October and the 2019 IBSA Goalball Asia/Pacific Championships in Chiba, Japan, from 2-11 December.

All three competitions will offer teams the chance to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.