In Astana, Kazakhstan, a crowd erupted as Australia’s men’s team sealed gold in the 5x5 final at the 2025 Virtus World Basketball Championships. But for athletes with intellectual disabilities, this moment was about more than winning. It was about visibility, recognition and a renewed call for inclusion on the world stage.
The Virtus World Basketball Championships, held for the first time in Asia, brought together athletes from 11 countries, including France, Australia, Poland, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Venezuela, Italy, the United States and Kazakhstan. Teams competed across two formats: the traditional 5x5 and the 3x3, which is rapidly gaining popularity.
