The 2005 World Games, the seventh World Games, were an international multi-sport event held in Duisburg, Germany from 14 July 2005 until 24 July 2005. Three other cities, namely Bottrop, Mülheim an der Ruhr, and Oberhausen, also held some of the competition events. More than 3,000 athletes competed in 31 official sports and 6 invitational sports.
Fistball is a sport of European origin, primarily played in the German-speaking nations of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, as well as in Brazil. The objective of the game is similar to volleyball, in that teams try to hit a ball over a net, but the rules vary from volleyball in several major ways. The current men's fistball World Champions are Germany, winners of both the 2023 Men's World Championships and the fistball category at the 2022 World Games, while the current women's fistball World Champions are also Germany, after winning the 2021 Women's World Championships.
The 1985 World Games were the second edition of the World Games, an international multi-sport event held in London. Three main venues were used, the main one being the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The opening ceremony was held at the Wembley Conference Centre. The master of ceremonies was television commentator Ron Pickering. Competitors were addressed by World Games Association President Dr Un Yong Kim, who told competitors, "the World Games is an innovation that deserves a warm welcome." Games Patron Ryoichi Sasakawa underwrote the financial shortfall to enable the Games to take place. British Olympic Association Chairman Charles Palmer opened the Games on behalf of the British sports community. The song "World Game" by John Denver was adopted as the theme for the Games. Sports included field archery, taekwondo, karate, sambo, powerlifting, finswimming, roller sports, casting, korfball, water skiing, speedway, fistball, softball and netball. The ground team at Crystal Palace was headed by former Nottingham Forest player Roy Dwight with assistance from Tosh Chamberlain. Television coverage was produced by Cheerleader productions. Commentators included Simon Reed, Martin Tyler, Gerald Sinstadt and Dave Lanning.
Fistball competition at the World Games 2009 were held from July 17 to July 20 at the Chung Cheng Martial Arts Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The fistball competition at the 2013 World Games were held from August 1 to August 4, at the Comfenalco Valle de Lili in Cali. Colombia.
The 14th Men’s World Fistball Championships was held from the 14th to 22 November 2015 in Calamuchita, Córdoba in Argentina. It was the second time the Men's Fistball World Championships have been held in Argentina, having also previously been held in Buenos Aires in 1986. The tournament was held in four settlements in Córdoba Province, three of them are located in Calamuchita: Villa General Belgrano, Santa Rosa de Calamuchita and Embalse. The fourth venue was La Cumbrecita, in Santa María Department.
Austria competed at the World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland, from 20 July 2017 to 30 July 2017.
Germany competed at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20, 2017 to July 30, 2017.
Argentina competed at the World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20, 2017 to July 30, 2017.
Brazil competed at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20, 2017 to July 30, 2017.
Chile competed at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20, 2017 to July 30, 2017.
Switzerland competed at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20, 2017 to July, 30 2017.
The fistball event at the World Games 2017 in Wrocław, Poland took place between the 22nd and the 25th of July.
The fistball event at the 2001 World Games in Akita, Japan took place between the 18th and the 20th of August. A total of 40 athletes from 5 teams entered the competition. The competition took place at Yabase Stadium.
The fistball competition at the 2022 World Games took place in July 2022, in Birmingham in United States, at the Birmingham Southern College. Originally scheduled to take place in July 2021, the Games were rescheduled for July 2022 as a result of the 2020 Summer Olympics postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time when women's tournament in fistball took place as part of the World Games.
Brazil competed at the 2022 World Games held in Birmingham, Alabama, United States from 7 to 17 July 2022. Athletes representing Brazil won two gold medals, one silver medal and five bronze medals. The country finished in 28th place in the medal table.
Austria competed at the 2022 World Games held in Birmingham, United States from 7 to 17 July 2022. Athletes representing Austria won two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal. The country finished in 30th place in the medal table.
Chile competed at the 2022 World Games held in Birmingham, United States from 7 to 17 July 2022. Athletes representing Chile won two silver medals and one bronze medal. The country finished in 55th place in the medal table.
Argentina competed at the 2022 World Games held in Birmingham, United States from 7 to 17 July 2022. Athletes representing Argentina won one silver medal and two bronze medals. The country finished in 57th place in the medal table.
New Zealand competed at the 2022 World Games held in Birmingham, United States from 7 to 17 July 2022. Athletes representing New Zealand won one gold medal, one silver medal and one bronze medal. The country finished in 40th place in the medal table.
