Spotlight on the Elite: The International Table Tennis Federation

A list worthy of the title

Elite by name, elite by nature. We are thrilled to welcome a remarkable entry list to the ITTF Para Elite event in Lasko, brought to you by I FEEL SLOVENIA. This competition promises to be a showcase of exceptional talent and competitive spirit, featuring some of the best athletes in the world.

The Star Competitors

The participant lineup is nothing short of impressive, filled with world-renowned talent and distinguished Paralympic medallists. Leading the charge in the Men’s Singles 2 (MS2) category is Poland’s Rafal Czuper, the reigning champion of the Paris 2024 Games, who aims to maintain his competitive edge. Also making waves is Germany’s Thomas Schmidberger, competing in the Men’s Singles 3 (MS3) event, who looks to continue his illustrious career filled with remarkable achievements as he returns to the table.

Not to be overlooked, Tommy Urhaug, a multi-time World champion, has dedicated his focus solely to this elite competition, stepping away from the Challenger event that took place just a few days earlier. His presence is sure to add excitement and intensity to the matches ahead.

Returning Champions from Last Week

Several athletes from last week’s competition are back for another exciting chance to shine, particularly Great Britain’s Will Bayley, who achieved remarkable success by securing two gold medals during the previous event. Alongside him are colleagues Aaron McKibbon and Josh Stacey, both aiming to replicate last week’s success and make it a double win in Slovenia.

A Rivalry Reignited in Women’s Competition

The women’s competition is equally thrilling, particularly with the long-standing rivalry in the Women’s Singles 1 (WS1) category, where Aino Tapola and Dorota Buclaw gear up for another intense showdown. Their encounters have consistently captivated audiences, and expectations are set high for their upcoming matches.

Adding to the competition’s excitement, familiar faces from the previous week’s event return, including Germany’s Sandra Mikolaschek, who claimed victory in the Women’s Singles 4-5 (WS4-5) category. Croatia’s Andela Muzinic-Vincetic also made headlines with her outstanding performance, making the competition even more intriguing.

High Expectations in the WS7 Category

The spotlight this week shines brightest on the Women’s Singles 7 (WS7) category, where three of the four medallists from the Paris Games will clash once more. Last week’s champion Bly Twomey demonstrated her skills by edging out Turkiye’s Kubra Korkut for gold, and this week’s competition promises even greater excitement with the return of Kelly van Zon. The four-time Paralympic individual gold medallist’s presence will undoubtedly heighten the competitive atmosphere and draw significant attention from fans and competitors alike.

Recap of Last Week’s Challenger Event

The Challenger event proved to be a celebratory occasion for Great Britain, where athletes showcased their extraordinary talents by winning a slew of individual gold medals. The event featured notable competitors such as Will Bayley and Bly Twomey, who not only excelled individually but also secured a mixed event victory as a duo just days after their solo successes.

Great Britain’s roster of champions continued to impress, with Jack Hunter Spivey, Martin Perry, Aaron McKibbin, and Joshua Stacey all achieving outstanding results. Other nations also performed remarkably well; France celebrated victories as their athletes Tru Kamkasomphou and Fabien Lamirault secured gold medals, while Germany was strongly represented by the iconic duo of Sandra Mikolaschek and Jana Spegel, who triumphed in Classes 4-5 and 1-2, respectively.

Upcoming Competitions and Expectations

While there is a brief hiatus for the Elite series until action resumes in Nakhon Ratchasima in July, the Future and Challenger series promise an exciting schedule. South America will soon host the Future competitors, beginning with Buenos Aires followed by Santiago, welcoming athletes in late May and early June. Following this, European competition will kick off in Ostrava from June 19 to June 21, bringing more thrilling matches and outstanding players to the forefront.

How to Stay Informed

Fans eager to follow the action can do so through select live coverage available on our YouTube channel starting today. Additionally, live results can be accessed through our official website; simply navigate to the events section for up-to-date information. For the latest updates, be sure to follow our social media channels, where we share insights and highlights throughout the competition.