As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games approach, excitement is building for the return of the men’s and women’s doubles events, set to kick off on Thursday, 29 August. On the same day, the mixed doubles competition will also make its much-anticipated debut, adding a fresh dynamic to the tournament. These thrilling contests will culminate on Sunday, 1 September, capping off the first four days of exhilarating action.
While the mixed doubles category is a new addition, the concept of doubles is deeply rooted in Paralympic history. Men’s and women’s doubles were featured as far back as the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960 and remained part of the programme until 1980 in Arnhem, when team events took their place. Since then, doubles have been integrated into team competitions, but Paris 2024 marks the first time in over four decades that they will stand alone once again.
The inclusion of mixed doubles, however, brings something entirely new to the Paralympic table. Following the International Paralympic Committee’s decision in November 2021, the Paris schedule will feature four men’s doubles events, four women’s doubles events, and two mixed doubles events. The classes for these events are determined by the combined classification of the two players, ensuring a balanced and competitive field.
For the wheelchair and standing athletes, the following events will be contested:
Men’s Doubles:
– Wheelchair Class 4
– Wheelchair Class 8
– Standing Class 14
– Standing Class 18
Women’s Doubles:
– Wheelchair Class 5
– Wheelchair Class 10
– Standing Class 14
– Standing Class 20
Mixed Doubles:
– Wheelchair Class 7
– Wheelchair Class 17
Among the contenders, several formidable pairs from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be aiming to repeat their success in Paris. China’s dominance is evident, with gold medallists Liao Keli and Yan Shuo, the men’s team class 6-7 champions, now competing in men’s doubles class 14. Their compatriots, Lian Hao and Zhao Shuai, who took home the men’s team class 9-10 title in Tokyo, will be competing in men’s doubles class 18.
In the women’s doubles, Chinese pairs Li Qian and Xue Juan, along with Zhang Bian and Zhou Jing, will be strong favourites. Li Qian and Xue Juan, who secured gold in the women’s team class 1-3 event in Tokyo, will now compete in class 5, while Zhang Bian and Zhou Jing, winners in the women’s team class 4-5, will challenge in class 10.
Another team to watch is Poland’s dynamic duo, Natalia Partyka and Karolina Pek, who claimed the women’s team class 9-10 title in Tokyo. They will now compete in the women’s doubles class 20, potentially setting up another thrilling showdown with Australia’s Lei li Na and Yang Qian, who narrowly defeated them in the final at the Andalucia 2022 World Para Championships in Grenada.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. Reigning World champions will also be eager to make their mark in Paris. In the men’s doubles, Korea Republic’s Cha Soo Young and Park Jin Cheol will once again compete in class 4, while their compatriots Kim Young-Gun and Kim Jung-Gil take on class 8. Great Britain’s Paul Karabardak and Billy Shilton will battle in class 14, and Ukraine’s Lev Kats and Ivan Mai in class 18.
In the women’s doubles, Italy’s Michela Brunelli and Giada Rossi, Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic and Nada Matic, and Australia’s Lei li Na and Yang Qian will all be in contention. Their performances are sure to provide plenty of drama as they aim to add Paralympic gold to their already impressive resumes.
The mixed doubles category promises to be just as captivating. Germany’s Thomas Brüchle and Sandra Mikolaschek will seek to defend their title in class 7, while Brazil’s Paulo Salmin and Bruna Alexandre aim to do the same in class 17. Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ Jean-Paul Montanus and Kelly van Zon, who triumphed in class 14 in Grenada, will now compete in class 17, ensuring fierce competition across the board.
With the return of doubles events and the introduction of mixed doubles, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are set to deliver an extraordinary spectacle. Fans can expect intense battles, strategic brilliance, and unforgettable moments as the world’s top Para table tennis players vie for glory on the global stage.
