Over the course of five days, the world champions in singles and doubles across four categories were determined, who for the first time in the history of the championship also received cash prizes, with the Australian team shining brightest in the tournament.
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The Australians won four of the eight singles competition titles. Oliver Fanshawe triumphed in the B2 men’s category, Michael Leigh in B3 men’s, Caroline Lane in B3 women’s, and Grace Hobbs in B4 women’s.
The women’s B1 world champion was Italian Rosa Daniela Pierri, and in B2 it was Luxembourg’s Liz Conzemius. In the men’s B4 category, the champion was Great Britain’s Ivan Rodríguez Debas, and in B1 men’s category – Finnish Jani Kallunki.
After almost 30 years – another world-class triumph
One of the highlights of the last day of the championship was the B1 men’s final. In it, Finnish Jani Kallunki defeated the IBTA ranking leader, Brit Naqi Rizvi, 4:1 5:3, becoming the world champion. Bronze went to Japanese Harufumi Shiozawa.
“Since morning I felt that today would be my day. Actually, that feeling accompanied me from the moment I woke up until the start of the final. I knew Naqi is a great player and a huge challenge awaited me. I served very well, and at the crucial moments of the match – also received well,” said the Finn after the final.
J. Kallunki thanked his coaches and teammates, emphasizing that without their work and dedication he would not have won this title. When asked to describe the emotion that overwhelmed him after the victory in one word, the Finn did not hesitate – “crazy.”
The new world champion of blind tennis also has an impressive Paralympic history. J. Kallunki has participated in several Paralympic Games, competing in judo and goalball, and in 1996 in Atlanta became a Paralympic champion with the Finnish goalball team.
“Almost 30 years have passed and here I am – the world champion of blind tennis. Absolutely incredible, absolutely,” the Finn did not hide his emotions, marking the victory on the central court of the “SEB arena” with a cheerful champion dance.
In the women’s B1 final, Italian R.D. Pierri defeated Argentine Rosana Lescano 4:2 2:4 10:3 after a tough three-set battle. Bronze went to Australian Tess Whelan.
First cash prizes in history for the champions
The world championship held in Vilnius was also distinguished by another innovation – for the first time in the history of these competitions, a cash prize fund was allocated to the best athletes. Each category’s world champion received 1000 euros, the silver medalist – 700 euros, and the bronze – 400 euros.
“We want blind tennis athletes to receive the same recognition for their work and achievements as athletes in other sports. There has never been a cash prize fund at any world championship before. It is very important to us that we took this step in Vilnius. I believe that in the future this will become a rule, a usual part of the biggest blind tennis tournaments,” says A. Danilovas.
Australian team – the clear leader of the championship
Australian athletes dominated not only in singles but also in doubles competitions. The B1 men’s doubles champions were Brit N. Rizvi and Australian Isaiah Mulleris, B2 men’s – Australians O. Fanshawe and Ethan Cook, and B2 women’s – Australian Courtney Webeck and L. Conzemius from Luxembourg.
The B1 women’s doubles champions were British Tracy Compton and Yvette Priestley, while in the combined B3–B4 doubles categories, Australian pairs triumphed: men’s – M. Leigh and Reuben Alexander Fairbank, women’s – C. Lane and G. Hobbs.
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The Australians collected 23 medals after the championship – 12 gold, 9 silver, and 2 bronze. Great Britain was second in total medals, with its athletes winning 8 medals – 4 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.
Italy, Poland, and Germany each won five medals. Italy’s tally included one gold and four silver, Poland’s – two silver and three bronze, Germany’s – five bronze awards.
Best Lithuanian result – seventh place
The Lithuanian team failed to win medals at the world championship held at home. The best result in singles was achieved by Vaida Litinskaitė, who played in the B3 category. The Lithuanian reached the main knockout stage and finished seventh overall. Živilė Karoblienė was eighth in this category.
In the B1 men’s tournament, three Lithuanian representatives – Karolis Verbliugevičius, Justas Pažarauskas, and Gražvydas Butrimas – reached the main knockout stage. However, all of them were eliminated in the round of 16, with G. Butrimas finishing tenth overall.
Lithuanian Oksana Dobrovolskaja also took tenth place in the B1 women’s competition. In doubles, she and Polish Monika Dubiel reached the B1 category semifinals and finished fourth overall.
The championship can become a strong impetus
The championship director and coach of Lithuanian team leader K. Verbliugevičius, A. Danilovas, says that more than ten months of preparation paid off – the first large-scale blind tennis tournament held in Lithuania went smoothly, and the participants’ feedback was excellent.
“We prepared for this championship for more than 10 months, and it passed like a moment. Everything went really smoothly. I want to thank everyone involved in the implementation of the championship – the team, volunteers, sponsors, spectators, and of course the players and their teams. Each of their contributions to this celebration was very important,” says A. Danilovas.
In sporting terms, according to him, not everything went as expected for the Lithuanian team. The greatest hopes were associated with European B1 champion K. Verbliugevičius.
“Karolis and I set the highest goals – to win the championship held in Vilnius. Unfortunately, sport is sport and our plans were not destined to come true. On the other hand, the path to the greatest victories leads through painful defeats. I know that this championship will be a great motivation for Karolis to strive for victories in the future,” says A. Danilovas.
The championship director also positively evaluated the performance of the entire Lithuanian team, emphasizing that for many of its members blind tennis is still a relatively new sport.
“Our team is still very young. Many of its members took up the racket relatively recently. I have no complaints about anyone – I want to wish them persistence and determination. Victories will come. I believe this championship will become a strong impetus for blind tennis in Lithuania. Socially responsible businesses have already noticed us, so I hope it will be easier for us to find funding. Finally, I want to believe that after this championship even more people with visual impairments will dare to try blind tennis,” says A. Danilovas.
