Updated showdown world rankings have been released ©IBSA

An updated set of world rankings has been released by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Showdown Committee, with a new formula adapted in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Because several tournaments could not be held in 2020 for health reasons, ranking points achieved at the 2019 editions remain valid in the rankings.

Points achieved at recent tournaments which could go ahead have also factored into the new rankings.

Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Belarus have all staged National Championships in recent months.

Polish due Adrian Sloninka and Krystian Kisiel are clear at the top of the updated men's world rankings.

Sloninka has 1,520 points, Kisiel is second with 1,480, and Finn Ari Lahtinen third on 1,114.

Polish players top the latest showdown world rankings ©IBSA
Polish players top the latest showdown world rankings ©IBSA

There a 327 ranked men's players in total.

Elzbieta Mielczarek, on 1,760 points, leads the women's rankings in another triumph for Poland.

Jaana Pesari of Finland is second, on 1,740, and 234 players are ranked in total.

Many showdown events were cancelled or postponed in 2020, including the European Championships in Bulgaria, and the IBSA calendar for 2021 only features three international showdown tournaments at present.