New Zealand’s Alfred Dela Pena and Vanuatu’s Priscila Tommy affirmed their status as top seeds at the ITTF-Oceania Olympic Singles Qualification concluded in the south of New Caledonia’s main island, as they emerged as champions to secure their places* at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Five men and five women from New Zealand, Fiji, and Vanuatu competed at the one-day tournament in a round-robin format, with the New Zealander unbeaten in all his matches to top the group of five players.
Apart from winning three matches without dropping a game, Pena was only tested by his compatriot – Timothy Choi, in an encounter that nearly scuttled his chance of claiming the Paris sole slot, but after going down in the first two at 8-11, 7-11, the 2022 ITTF Oceania Championships silver medallist came out fighting to continue his dominance with a commanding 11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 to complete his 4-2 rout of his familiar opponent. This win ensured that Pena would be joining the flight to Paris in July.
Experience was what Vanuatu’s Tommy needed to secure her second appearance at the Olympic Games, as the 32-year-old had a smooth sail to Paris with a domineering win over all four of her opponents in the women’s singles to be certain of adding the Paris ticket to her Olympics outing.
Despite not being certain of making it to Paris, a proud Pena said: “It’s funny because I might not go. I have qualified; however, it’s still not certain that I will go because it’s up to the New Zealand Olympic Committee to decide whether or not I’m going! So there is still a chance that New Zealand won’t be represented in table tennis at the Olympic Games. But I’m still very proud that I won today.”
Tommy, who is adding the Paris ticket to her maiden outing at Beijing 2008, said, “I feel very lucky and grateful to qualify for my outing at the Olympic Games! I am so excited, and I can’t wait to participate in July.”
* The participation of athletes in the Olympic Games is contingent upon their respective National Olympic Committees’ selection for representation at Paris 2024, as per their exclusive authority.
