A list worthy of the title
The Elite Converge in Slovenia
Elite by name and elite by nature. The ITTF Para Elite event in Lasko, presented by I FEEL SLOVENIA, is set to welcome an impressive roster of competitors. This year’s entry list is filled with world-renowned athletes and Paralympic medallists, ensuring a competitive atmosphere throughout the tournament.
Spotlight on the Men’s Singles
Leading the charge in the Men’s Singles 2 (MS2) category is Poland’s Rafal Czuper, who has already captured the spotlight as a champion in preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. His resolve and determination signal a potential continued excellence in the sport. In the Men’s Singles 3 (MS3), Germany’s Thomas Schmidberger is making his return to the table, aiming to add another remarkable year to a career already filled with accolades.
Meanwhile, Tommy Urhaug, a multi-time World Champion, is at the heart of the competition. This seasoned athlete has made a strategic decision to focus solely on this elite event, foregoing participation in the earlier Challenger event to ensure he is at his best in Lasko.
Continuing Success for Great Britain
Following strong performances in the previous week’s events, many athletes are eager to showcase their skills once again. Will Bayley, who left a lasting impression with two gold medals last week, is back alongside fellow countrymen, including Aaron McKibbon and Josh Stacey. The question on everyone’s mind is whether they can replicate their success and achieve a remarkable double victory in Slovenia.
Women’s Competition Heating Up
The women’s competitions are equally charged, particularly with the renewed rivalry in the Women’s Singles 1 (WS1) category between Aino Tapola and Dorota Buclaw. Their history of competition has consistently delivered thrilling matches, and their upcoming clash is highly anticipated by fans and competitors alike.
Returning to the field in the women’s divisions are several notable athletes who performed admirably the previous week. Among them is Germany’s Sandra Mikolaschek, who claimed victory in the WS4-5 category. Likewise, Croatia’s Andela Muzinic-Vincetic also brings a winning momentum into the Lasko competition, aiming to continue her successful run.
Excitement Builds in WS7
Perhaps the most intriguing competition this week lies within the Women’s Singles 7 (WS7) category. Three of the four medallists from the Paris 2024 Paralympics will be competing, bringing a heightened level of excitement and anticipation. Last week saw Bly Twomey secure gold, triumphing over Turkiye’s Kubra Korkut. However, the return of four-time Paralympic individual gold medallist Kelly van Zon is expected to add a new layer of intensity to the competition, drawing significant attention from fans and fellow competitors.
Recap of Last Week’s Challenger Event
Looking back at the previous week’s Challenger event, Great Britain enjoyed an outstanding couple of days, capturing multiple individual gold medals. With a formidable lineup that included Will Bayley and Bly Twomey, it was fitting for these two to emerge as part of a golden haul, both individually and in partnership.
In mixed competition, Bayley and Twomey made waves with their stunning performance, clinching a remarkable victory just days after their individual successes. Beyond their teamwork, British players such as Jack Hunter-Spivey, Martin Perry, Aaron McKibbin, and Joshua Stacey all achieved personal victories, contributing to Great Britain’s impressive showing.
France also celebrated its success during the Challenger event. Athletes Tru Kamkasomphou and Fabien Lamirault shone brightly, winning gold medals in their respective categories. Germany’s representation was equally strong, led by the iconic Sandra Mikolaschek and Jana Spegel, who claimed victories in Classes 4-5 and 1-2.
Looking Ahead: Events on the Horizon
As the Elite series wraps up, fans will need to wait a couple of months for the next set of exciting competitions, which will resume in Nakhon Ratchasima in July. However, for the Future and Challenger events, there is an action-packed schedule ahead.
In late May and early June, South America will take center stage for Future competitors, starting with events in Buenos Aires, followed by Santiago. Following this, European action will resume with a competition in Ostrava slated for June 19-21. The anticipation for these upcoming events promises a busy and exhilarating time for athletes and fans alike.
How to Stay Updated
For those wishing to follow the action, select matches will be available to watch on YouTube starting today. Live results can be accessed on the official website by visiting the events section. Additionally, fans should stay connected through the organization’s social media channels for real-time updates and highlights from the competitions.
