Peru’s bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities, Lima, is poised to become the focal point of table tennis excitement for five days as the continent’s top players gather for the Olympic Qualification Tournament from May 14 to 18.
Lima, renowned for hosting major table tennis tournaments, will captivate the attention of fans worldwide as players from the United States, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Venezuela, Guyana, Barbados, El Salvador, Colombia, St. Lucia, Canada, Trinidad, and Tobago, as well as the host country, Peru, come together for this prestigious event.
Among the most active players from the continent is Chile’s Burgos Nicolas, a globetrotting contender who has tested his skills against heavyweight opponents worldwide. As the top seed in the men’s singles, the 2018 Youth Olympian faces a formidable challenge in Lima.
Currently ranked No. 51 in the world, Nicolas is set to take on the giants in Lima, with a lineup of players confirmed for the tournament from May 14 to 18.
The 23-year-old, a former South American junior champion in 2017, will contend with competitors such as Puerto Rico’s Brian Afanador, Ecuador’s Alberto Mino, Argentina’s Horacio Cifuentes, and the United States’ Kanak Jha for the coveted Olympic slot.
With such a diverse and talented pool of players heading to Lima, the tournament promises to be explosive as athletes vie for their chance to secure a spot in Paris. Four (4) men and four (4) women will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The tournament will have two stages, each featuring two knockout (KO) draws. Over the first two days, KO1 and KO2 will be played, and on days four and five, KO3 and KO4 will take place. All players will have two opportunities to qualify for Paris 2024, with each knockout winner securing a spot.
Similarly, the women’s event is expected to be fiercely competitive, with a lineup of high-caliber players in contention. Among them, Canada’s Mo Zhang stands out as the top seed. At 35 years old, Zhang brings a wealth of experience, having participated in three Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020), and her impressive track record at the Commonwealth Games sets her apart from the crowd. However, she is likely to face stiff competition from the other 25 contenders in the women’s division.
For five days, Lima will be at the centre of the action as players battle it out for their chance to qualify for Paris. Find out more here and stay updated with the action when it kicks off.
