The IBSF ranking 2009, compiled after the World Championships in Wels, Austria, reveal few surprises.

Thailand, two years consecutively producing IBSF World Championship Men’s Gold medals, remain undisputed N°1 of all IBSF nations.

China has made good progress and moves from 6th place to the 2nd confirming their excellent results in the last couple of years.

Whilst two Asians countries occupy the top two spots, it is 3 Europeans countries that follow to complete the top five.

Republic of Ireland, rise from 12th to 3rd place mainly due to the excellent results of its two representatives in Wels. England, however, have dropped back two places which leaves Wales in 5th place to complete the European trio.

The ranking of the top ten nations shows a healthy balance between Asia and Europe, with five countries from each continent in the top ten list. Long time triangular rivals India (6th), Pakistan (7th) and the UAE (8th) show that the IBSF ranking metholodolgy reflects the actual standard in the member countries – these three nations have always completed closely with each other and it is good to see them so closely bunched here as well.

Belgium (9th) and Scotland, who move up six places, complete the top ten.

Australia represent Oceania in 14th place, and hoist themsleves above the first African representative, Egypt (15th).

Canada (27th) and USA (32nd) remain again a long way off the standard required to challenge Asia and Europe. But with IBSF Coaching initiatives underway in both these countries, things could be moving upward for them soon.

Overall, seventy two countries make up the official 2009 IBSF Ranking List, with nineteen member nations looking to score points for the first time in IBSF events as soon as possible.

Notable new points scorers on the 2009 list are firstly Iran. They go straight in at number nineteen mainly due to the simply tremendous performance of teenager Suhail Vahedi who reached an outstanding semi final place in the IBSF Men’s Championships in Wels, Austria. His golden cue action and rock solid temperament will surely help him go a long way in snooker and help him to fly the Iranian flag high at many more IBSF events.

Other first time scorers are Lithuania, Hungary and Spain.

The complete IBSF Ranking is available on the IBSF website : www.ibsf.info

The Top Ten :
-1 Thailand
-2 China
-3 Republic of Ireland
-4 England
-5 Wales
-6 India
-7 Pakistan
-8 UAE
-9 Belgium
-10 Scotland