Moldovan Table Tennis Player Vladislav Ursu Qualifies for 2024 Olympics in Stunning Upset
Amidst the excitement and surprises in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 19-year-old Vladislav Ursu, a Moldovan table tennis player, stunned top seeds to become the first from his country to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The European Olympic Qualification Tournament, held from May 14 to 18, witnessed the participation of 47 men and 44 women from 26 European nations.
Ursu’s impressive performance saw him defeat Hungary’s Adam Szudi 4-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4), securing his ticket to the prestigious event. “It is unbelievable. I could not believe I would make it. In Moldova, we have never had a table tennis player represent us at the Olympics, and I am so happy I am the first,” expressed a delighted Ursu.
Joining Ursu on the flight to Paris is the legendary Greek star Panagiotis Gionis, who will compete in his sixth Olympic Games after making his debut at Athens in 2004. Gionis, a 44-year-old dentist, secured one of the two early tickets in Sarajevo, defeating Slovakia’s Yang Wang 4-0 (12-10, 11-5, 11-8, 14-12).
Polish teenager Milosz Redzimski will make his Olympic debut in Paris, showcasing his maturity by edging out experienced Spaniard Alvaro Robles 4-1 (5-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 14-12). Ukraine’s Yaroslav Zhmudenko, who made his Olympic debut at London 2012, also secured his spot, overpowering Slovakia’s Yang Wang 4-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5).
In the women’s singles, 17-year-old Anna Hursey of Great Britain became the first athlete to secure a Paris ticket, defeating four-time Olympian Georgina Pota of Hungary 4-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4). Britt Eerland of the Netherlands secured her third Olympic appearance, defeating Barbara Balazova of Slovakia 4-2 (9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 15-13, 11-6).
“It is unbelievable. I could not believe I would make it. In Moldova, we have never had a table tennis player represent us at the Olympics, and I am so happy I am the first,” – Vladislav Ursu
Portugal’s duo of Jieni Shao and Fu Yu, as well as Ukraine’s Margaryta Pesotska, also secured their places in Paris, showcasing the depth and talent of the European table tennis scene.
The European Qualification Tournament in Sarajevo has set the stage for these exceptional athletes to shine at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking another thrilling chapter in their sporting careers.
🔗 Source
