The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have begun in breathtaking fashion, marking the return of doubles to the Paralympic schedule for the first time since 1976 and the historic debut of mixed doubles.
Amidst all the excitement, two Para table tennis legends reached an extraordinary milestone, joining the exclusive circle known as “Club 8.” These are not just any Paralympians; they are the titans of Para table tennis, who have defied age, competition, and the odds to compete a staggering eight times on the world’s grandest stage.
Eight Paralympic table tennis appearances is a testament to an athlete’s unwavering dedication and exceptional talent. These players have dedicated years of relentless training, honing their skills to compete at the highest level.
Spain’s Jose Manuel Ruiz kicked off his legendary 8th Olympic Games teaming up with Alejandro Diaz in the Class 18 Men’s Doubles against China’s Lian Hoo and Zhao Shuai, where they were unfortunately unable to claim victory.
Ruiz made his Paralympics debut at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics at just 17 years old and has competed in eight consecutive Paralympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024). Throughout his Paralympic career, Ruiz has claimed a silver medal in the Class 10 Men’s Singles (2000), two silver medals in the Class 10 Men’s Teams (2008 and 2016), and two bronze medals in the Class 10 Men’s Teams (2012 and 2000). Ruiz continues his Paris 2024 run in the Class 10 Men’s Singles starting on Sunday, September 1st.
“For me this is so special but not only for me, when I say me I mean my whole team, my coaches from all my career, my family, parents, friends, sponsors and the Spanish federation. I think that this is a big moment, this is the first time an athlete in Spain has played eight Paralympic Games so I enjoy every moment, in the village, with my friends, every training practice and enjoy every point and every match.”
Joining him in Club 8 is Slovakia’s Jan Riapos, who will make his first appearance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics this afternoon, partnering with Peter Lovas in the Class 4 Men’s Doubles against Spain.
Like Ruiz, Riapos also made his Paralymic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics and has competed in 8 consecutive Paralympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024). Winning his first gold medal in the Class 2 Men’s Singles in 2004 in Athens and again in London in 2012, the goal for the now 56 year old is to clinch gold medals in three seperate decades. In the Class 2 Men’s teams Riapos has accumulated an impressive collection with two gold medals (2008 and 2012), one silver medal (2004) and one bronze medal (2020).
Welcome to Club 8, where legends never stop playing.
