Goalball world rankings released

After winning the IBSA Goalball European B Championships, the Ukrainian men’s goalball team jumped from 11th to seventh in the world rankings, as published by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

Brazil remain top, followed by Paralympic champions Lithuania, Iran, China, Turkey and USA. Sweden, Finland and Slovenia complete the top ten.

Germany and Israel swapped places for ninth and tenth, respectively, in the women’s world rankings, the only change amongst the top ten.

Brazil continue leading ahead of Paralympic silver medallists China, Rio 2016 champions Turkey, USA, Japan, Russia, Canada and Australia.

Men’s standings: 1. Brazil; 2. Lithuania; 3. Iran; 4. China; 5. Turkey; 6. USA; 7. Ukraine; 8. Sweden; 9. Finland; 10. Slovenia.

Women’s standings: 1. Brazil; 2. China; 3. Turkey; 4. USA; 5. Japan; 6. Russia; 7. Canada; 8. Australia; 9. Germany; 10. Israel.

Full rankings are available on IBSA’s website.

Budaors, Hungary selected host city of the 2017 IBSA Goalball World Youth Championships

The competition, organised by the Hungarian Paralympic Committee and the Hungarian Handball Federation, will be held from 30 June-9 June and will be open to both male and female national teams. Competitors can be no older than 19 as of 31 December 2017.

Budaors, Hungary, will be the first European city to ever host this event.

More information is available on the IBSA’s website.

*Editor’s note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games. For further information please click here.