Excitement Builds for the Return of Doubles and Debut of Mixed Doubles at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
As the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Paralympic Games approach, the table tennis community is eagerly awaiting the return of the men’s and women’s doubles events, set to commence on Thursday, August 29. Adding to the excitement, the mixed doubles competition will also make its much-anticipated debut, introducing a fresh dynamic to the tournament. These thrilling contests will culminate on Sunday, September 1, capping off the first four days of exhilarating action.
The concept of doubles is deeply rooted in Paralympic history, with the events being featured as far back as the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960. They remained a part of the program until 1980 in Arnhem, when team events took their place. Since then, doubles have been integrated into team competitions, but Paris 2024 marks the first time in over four decades that they will stand alone once again.
The inclusion of mixed doubles, however, brings something entirely new to the Paralympic table. Following the International Paralympic Committee’s decision in November 2021, the Paris schedule will feature four men’s doubles events, four women’s doubles events, and two mixed doubles events, with the classes determined by the combined classification of the two players.
“Among the contenders, several formidable pairs from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be aiming to repeat their success in Paris.”
China’s dominance is evident, with gold medallists Liao Keli and Yan Shuo, as well as Lian Hao and Zhao Shuai, set to compete in the men’s doubles events. In the women’s doubles, Chinese pairs Li Qian and Xue Juan, along with Zhang Bian and Zhou Jing, will be strong favourites.
Another team to watch is Poland’s dynamic duo, Natalia Partyka and Karolina Pek, who claimed the women’s team class 9-10 title in Tokyo and will now compete in the women’s doubles class 20. They could potentially face off against Australia’s Lei li Na and Yang Qian, who narrowly defeated them in the final at the Andalucia 2022 World Para Championships in Grenada.
The excitement doesn’t end there, as reigning World champions will also be eager to make their mark in Paris. In the men’s doubles, Korea Republic’s Cha Soo Young and Park Jin Cheol, as well as Kim Young-Gun and Kim Jung-Gil, will be contenders, alongside Great Britain’s Paul Karabardak and Billy Shilton, and Ukraine’s Lev Kats and Ivan Mai.
In the women’s doubles, Italy’s Michela Brunelli and Giada Rossi, Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic and Nada Matic, and Australia’s Lei li Na and Yang Qian will all be in contention, while the mixed doubles category promises equally captivating battles, with Germany’s Thomas Brüchle and Sandra Mikolaschek, Brazil’s Paulo Salmin and Bruna Alexandre, and the Netherlands’ Jean-Paul Montanus and Kelly van Zon among the top teams.
With the return of doubles events and the introduction of mixed doubles, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are set to deliver an extraordinary spectacle for table tennis enthusiasts. Fans can expect intense battles, strategic brilliance, and unforgettable moments as the world’s top Para table tennis players vie for glory on the global stage.
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