Iran, also the winners of the men’s sitting volleyball gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, started their World Championship campaign with a straight games triumph over Iraq 25-11, 25-17, 25-15.

Hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina also started with a straight games win, beating Serbia 25-17, 25-7, 25-22.

All the men’s matches on the opening day were decided in straight games with the United States overcoming Japan 25-19, 25-15, 25-14, while Germany beat Canada 25-15, 25-22, 25-15.

Elsewhere Kazakhstan beat Croatia in three close games 25-21, 25-22, 25-23, Egypt overcame the Netherlands 25-11, 25-19, 25-19, Brazil beat Poland 25-16, 25-8, 25-11 and Ukraine overcame Rwanda 25-20, 25-15, 25-22.

In the women’s competition there will be a new champion with holders Russia banned from defending their title, due to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine.

With China, who won the two prior editions, absent due to the coronavirus situation in the nation, United States, who have been runners-up on the last three occasions, will fancy their chances of breaking their duck.

The US got their campaign off to a winning start today beating Iran in four sets by a scoreline of 25-13, 25-12, 20-25, 25-16.

In the day’s only other women’s match, Rwanda overcame Poland 26-24, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17.

Eight men’s and seven women’s group matches are due to be played tomorrow.

The tournament is due to run until Friday (November 11), when men’s and women’s champions are set to be crowned.