Paralympic champions Valentin Baus and Maryna Lytovchenko Secure World Para Table Tennis Titles in Spain
On Saturday, November 12th, Paralympic gold medalists Valentin Baus of Germany and Maryna Lytovchenko of Ukraine added to their impressive resume with title triumphs at the World Para Table Tennis Championships in Spain.
In the men’s singles class 5 final, Baus emerged victorious over double Paralympic bronze medalist Ali Öztürk of Turkey, securing the title with a 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 victory. Meanwhile, Lytovchenko delivered a dominant performance in the women’s singles class 6 final, besting former Paralympic champion Katarzyna Marszał of Poland.
The event also saw South Korea’s Kim Gitae achieve a remarkable feat, becoming the sole athlete to clinch a full house of titles. Partnering with Seo Yanghee, Kim first secured the mixed doubles crown, followed by the men’s doubles gold medal with Jeong Kyuyoung in class 22. He then went on to claim the individual class 11 title, defeating compatriot Kim Changgi 11-7, 11-7, 11-3.
South Korea’s success was a highlight of the championships, as the nation emerged with 10 gold medals in total. This included a triumph for double Paralympic bronze medalist Yoon Ji-yu, who captured the women’s singles class 3 title against Croatia’s two-time Paralympic medalist Anđela Mužinić, sweeping the match 11-5, 11-6, 11-5.
In the women’s singles class 7 final, three-time Paralympic medalist Kübra Öçsoy Korkut of Turkey avenged her defeat four years ago, overcoming Paralympic champion Kelly van Zon of the Netherlands 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7. The women’s class 11 final saw an intriguing clash between experience and youth, with 18-year-old Léa Ferney of France, the Tokyo 2020 runner-up, triumphing over Athens 2004 champion Krystyna Maria Łysiak of Poland, winning 11-6, 11-8, 11-7.
“Our hosts have been outstanding and delivered an unforgettable event. I would like to congratulate and thank the Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation and its delivery partners, particularly the Government of Andalusia region and the Municipality of Granada.” – ITTF President Petra Sörling
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