Medals secured in Tokyo, aiming to achieve the very same later this year at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, such is the quest for the principal names on duty at the 2024 Czech Para Open.
A factor 20 tournament for World ranking points, the three-day tournament commences in Ostrava on Thursday 20th June.
In the men’s singles, gold medallists in the Japanese capital city, Korea Republic’s Joo Youngdae (class 1), Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk (class 4) and Hungary Peter Palos (class 11) all compete.
Earlier this year Joo Youngdae won in both Italy and Montenegro; Abdullah Ozturk prevailed in Poland but had to settle for silver in Italy and Slovenia, on each occasion losing to Thailand’s Wanchai Chaiwut. The good news for Abdullah Ozturk is that Wanchai Chaiwut does not compete in Ostrava.
Rather different for Peter Palos, also a gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, he was a semi-finalist in Egypt and Spain, the runner up in Chinese Taipe.
Silver medallist in Tokyo, Korea Republic’s Kim Younggun (class 4) competes in Ostrava, as do his bronze medal winning colleagues Cha Sooyong (class 2) and Park Jincheol (class 2).
Also, a Tokyo bronze medallist, the name of Belgium’s Florian van Acker (class 11), the winner in Rio de Janeiro will be in action, a situation that applies to Great Britain’s Paul Karabardak (class 6).
Additionally, looking forward to Paris, Norway’s Tommy Urhaug (class 5) and Jan Riapos (class 2) will be present in the Czech Republic, a situation that applies to Great Britain’s Rob Davies (class 1). All gold medallists, Tommy Urhaug won in London, Jan Riapos in Athens and London. Rob Davies in Rio de Janeiro.
Similarly, in the women’s singles events, the names of players who enjoyed success in Tokyo and will compete in Paris, appear on the entry list.
Seo Suyeon (class 2), the runner up in Tokyo plies her skills, as does bronze medallist, Brazil’s Catia Oliveira (class 2).
Also, a silver medallist, Slovakia Alena Kanova (class 3) will present as will bronze medallists Korea Republic’s Yoon Jiyu (class 3), Hungary’s Alexa Szvitacs (class 9) and Hong Kong’s Wong Ting-Ting (class 11).
Worthy competitors, furthermore, note the names of reigning World champions; in the women’s singles, additional to Alexa Szvitacs, Korea Republic’s Yoon Jiyu (class 3) and Alexandra Saint-Pierre from France (class 5) compete as in the men’s singles does Kim Jungil (class 4), alongside Korea Republic colleague Kim Gitae (class 11).
A total of 147 men and 61 women are named on the Ostrava entry list; play commences with the individual events.
