It is also played by sighted players, but they are not allowed to participate in the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) tournaments.
The sport is comparatively inexpensive to start up, requires minimal maintenance, and can be played in a room the size of a classroom.
The game is played by 2 players, on a rectangular table with a centre board screen, and goal pockets on either short sides.
To serve correctly, players must hit the ball so that it bounces off the side wall of the table exactly once, before passing under the centre screen.
He ended up inventing the game of Showdown, which now is played by the visually impaired, as well as by the sighted, all over the world.
Over the years, Patrick York, a totally blind, Canadian athlete, has collaborated with Lewis on refinements to the rules and equipment.
Showdown was an international success at its debut as a recreational sport during the 1980 Olympiad for the Physically Disabled in Arnhem, the Netherlands .
In Europe Showdown is played in at least 21 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland[1] Turkey and the United Kingdom[2].
James Mastro is teaching people how to play showdown, or Power-Showdown, as he calls it, in the United States.
Most people chose to play for more recreational purposes, making it difficult to start professional tournaments.
The first official IBSA world championship was held in Stockholm, Sweden in August 2009, and included participants from: Canada, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iran, Italy, Morocco, The Netherlands, Poland, The Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States.