Three showdown players from Nice traveled to Bondy to compete in a national tournament held from September 19 to 21. They returned with encouraging results, notably a silver medal won by Jérémy, who managed to stand out in a highly competitive event.
Showdown, an adapted racket sport for visually impaired people, continues to develop in France. Originating in the 1960s in Northern Europe, it is played on a rectangular table with flat rackets and a sounding ball. The goal is to score points by sending the ball into the opponent’s goal. Although still relatively unknown to the general public, the sport attracts a growing number of participants, allowing for a combination of athletic performance and accessibility.
In this context, three players from Nice, Bernard, Jean-Philippe, and Jérémy, traveled to Bondy to participate in one of the major events of the season. The local club, ASBondy Showdown, hosted 32 competitors from all over France. The players from Nice were accompanied by Kamélya, a referee from the same club, who contributed to the smooth running of the matches.
A Challenging Journey for the Players from Nice
The train journey to Paris marked the beginning of an intense sports weekend. After a night’s rest, the players started their matches on Saturday morning as part of the “Oak Tournament.” All three successfully passed the first stage by reaching the round of 16, a performance that already reflected their good preparation.
The quarterfinals were a turning point. Bernard and Jean-Philippe, despite matches played in three sets, did not manage to secure their tickets for the next stage. Jérémy, however, remained focused and earned a place in the semifinals. His quarterfinal victory allowed him to approach the decisive semifinal the next day.
On Sunday morning, he confirmed his momentum by winning this important match. The final promised to be difficult against an opponent from Poitiers, also named Jérémy. The duel was intense but the player from Nice ultimately conceded. His silver medal, however, reflects his commitment and level of play, recognized by his peers as well as the organizers.
Encouraging Results for the Nice Club
In the final standings, Jérémy secured the second place, Bernard finished seventh, and Jean-Philippe eleventh. These positions illustrate the competitiveness of the Nice delegation in a discipline that is gaining visibility. The collective results are even more satisfying given the strong competition, with more than thirty players present.
For the Nice club, this trip was also an opportunity to strengthen group cohesion and raise awareness of adaptive sports in the region. Officials point out that such competitions help to increase awareness of showdown and encourage new people to try the sport.
The Anices Handisport association, which supports these athletes, has been working for several years to develop adapted practice in various fields. It organizes regular training sessions and supports players during their tournament trips. The journey of Jérémy and his teammates illustrates the importance of this associative commitment.
Promoting Adaptive Sports in Nice
One of the challenges remains media coverage. The club’s leaders want these performances to be reported to reach a wider audience. The goal is to attract new participants and raise awareness of the benefits of sports for all. Showdown, due to its accessibility and competitive nature, indeed has all the qualities to attract more participants.
Beyond the rankings, this weekend was a formative experience for the three players and their referee. It demonstrates that adaptive sports in Nice have real development potential, provided they find supporters and partners.
