The 2019 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Showdown World Championships are underway in Olbia, Italy, and run until 5 October.

Players from 17 countries are in the Sardinian city going for gold in men’s, women’s and team events.

In the men’s Slovenia’s Peter Zidar headlines the field as the defending champion.

At the last edition in 2017, Zidar claimed the title against Poland’s Krystian Kisiel. 

Kisiel’s teammate Adrian Sloninka left with bronze.

In the women’s Finland’s Hanna Vilmi is the player to watch. Vilmi is also trying to reclaim her title from two years ago.

Back then it was an all Finnish final as Vilmi took on Jaana Pesari. The country’s dominance could once again be confirmed in Olbia.

However Poland will also be going for a strong showing with Elzbieta Mielczarek, the reigning bronze medallist, in the mix.

The Polish team are also the title-holders in the mixed team event. In 2017 Sloninka, Kisiel, Mielczarek and Lukasz Byczkowsi stormed to the top of the podium.

Finland were second as Vilmi and Pesari partnered with Ari Lahtinen, Juha Oikarainen and Jouni Viitamaki. 

Slovenia rounded off the top three with Zidar, Denis Repa, Sanja Kos and Tanja Oranic.
 
The 2019 IBSA Showdown World Championships got underway on Thursday (3 October) with first round matches. The second round will follow on Friday ahead of Saturday’s deciding matches.
 
More information, including results and a livestream, are available at the official website.