Determination was a major feature apparent at the recent 2024 ITTF United States Para Open in Corpus Christi; at the forthcoming 2024 ITTF Egypt Para Open, to be held in Gizi from Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27 January, undoubtedly, an even higher level of willpower will be witnessed.
For the first time, the tournament carries the factor 40 value for World ranking points; consolidating positions, making progress to the higher echelons of the global order are prime factors for those with Paris 2024 Paralympic Games aspirations.
The World ranking lists issued on Monday 1st April will decide the names of 71 men and 24 women across 21 events who have not already qualified following victory at continental qualification tournaments organised in 2023.
Notably there are illustrious names on duty in Giza who have secured medals at the Paralympic Games but have yet to reserve Paris tickets; World ranking points are at a premium!
Three years ago in Tokyo, Hungary’s Peter Palos, won men’s singles class 11 gold, a good performance in Giza will settle nerves; in the same category the scenario also applies to Frenchman Lucas Creange, he secured bronze in Japan’s capital city.
Likewise, the situation applies to another Frenchman, Mateo Boheas, in Tokyo he was a class 10 silver medallist.
Also, for the men, bronze medallists in Tokyo will be seeking to secure their Paris places. Korea Republic’s Nan Kiwon (class 1), Turkey’s Ali Ozturk (class 3) and Ukraine’s Ivan Man (class 9) appear on the Egypt entry list.
Meanwhile, for the women, the situation is just as pronounced; players who enjoyed success in Tokyo aim to enhance their Paralympic Games possibilities.
Silver medallists, India’s Bhavina Patel (class 4) and Lea Ferney from France (class 11) compete in Giza as do four Tokyo bronze medallists. Korea Republic’s Li Migyu (class 3), Hungary’s Alexa Svitacs (class 9) and Hong Kong’s Wong Ting-Ting (class 11) compete alongside Japan’s Maki Ito (class 11).
Worthy names and there are more from more distant times; both Paralympic Games men’s singles gold medallists, Norway’s Tommy Urhaug in 2012 (class 5) and Frenchman Stéphane Messi in 2004 (class 7) are named on the entry list.
Both have yet to officially secure Paris places, a situation that does not apply to two further entrants, both qualified as a result of success at 2023 continental tournaments.
In the men’s events Egypt’s Sayed Youssef (class 7) will be on duty as in the women’s will be Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovchenko (class 6).
Overall, representing 27-member associations, 124 men and 69 women compete in Giza, the most ever at a Para tournament in Egypt, the number beats last year’s previous high of 132 players by a considerable margin.
Play commences with men’s singles and women’s singles events.
