Showdown

Aisti Sport offers the chance to play showdown in its own rented premises at the Myyrmäki hall in Vantaa. Showdown is a superb, fast-paced table tennis sport in which hearing and hand speed, rather than sight, are the key strengths. Come and try out — and take up — a fascinating sport that is a little reminiscent of the air hockey you know from games rooms!

What is showdown?

Showdown is a table tennis sport played one against one, with goggles that block sight. The sport suits visually impaired and fully sighted players equally. The playing table is rectangular, with side walls, a centre screen and goal pockets. The ball is hard plastic and contains shot. Showdown is played with a long wooden bat, and the bat hand is protected by a glove and a sweatband.

Matches consist of sets, which end when one player reaches 11 points with a two-point margin. A goal scores two points and an opponent's error scores one. Further information and the detailed rules are available in English on the website of the international organisation IBSA: information and rules in English.

YLE Galaxi filmed an episode of MUN LAJI about Solina, who plays showdown regularly and has taken part in several tournaments. Watch the engaging episode, which captures the sport very well, on YouTube below.