History will be made at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as, for the first time, three Olympians will compete in the table tennis competition. Out of only 19 athletes who have ever competed in both the Olympics and Paralympics, three are part of this year’s Paralympic Games, making this a truly remarkable event.
The women’s singles Class 10 competition promises to be fiercely contested, featuring three Olympians: Melissa Tapper of Australia, Bruna Alexandre of Brazil, and seven-time Paralympian Natalia Partyka of Poland. These athletes are set to challenge the reigning champion, Australia’s Qian Yang, in a bid to claim the title.
Yang, who took gold in Tokyo 2020, ended Partyka’s long-standing dominance in the event. Partyka, a Paralympic legend, is making her comeback, determined to reclaim her crown.
“It is a really strong field. We will have some tough matches. Step by step. I know I’m capable of winning gold, and that is my goal. There are three, four, or five girls that can win, so we will see,”
Partyka made her Paralympic debut at just 11 years old at the Sydney 2000 Games, setting the record for the youngest Paralympic athlete. She currently holds six Paralympic gold medals, winning the Class 10 Women’s Singles in four consecutive Paralympics (2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016). Partyka has also competed in four Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020), making her the first table tennis athlete to do so. She retired from the Olympic national team two years ago, choosing to focus on her Paralympic career.
“I decided to quit the (Olympic) national team two years ago. I was tired—it was enough, and I didn’t want more. It was the right decision, and I’m proud of myself that I made it. It’s the first time since 2008 that I’m not playing both. I enjoyed the free time. No stress, and I could watch the Olympics for the first time since 2008. I enjoyed watching the volleyball and athletics on TV.”
Melissa Tapper is no stranger to both the Olympic and Paralympic stages, as she embarks on her third consecutive Olympic-Paralympic double and her fourth Paralympic appearance. She was eliminated in Paris in her opening singles match against No. 4 seed Shin Yu-bin of South Korea but will bring her experiences earlier in Paris to the Paralympics Games.
Bruna Alexandre, on the other hand, made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 after achieving notable success in non-para table tennis, including winning a bronze medal in the women’s team event at the 2023 Pan American Games. Excited for another opportunity to compete, Alexandre is focused on making her mark.
“It’s very difficult to qualify for the Olympics as well as the Paralympics, so I’m trying to make the most of this experience,” Alexandre shared. “I have to flip the switch. I try to adapt my game, slow it down a little bit, play different angles. I’m used to it now. I have 20 years of experience.”
Alexandre is looking to avenge her Tokyo 2020 loss in the finals against Yang (11-13, 11-6, 7-11, 9-11).
“My dream is to win the gold medal… This is a simple elimination tournament, and it can be dangerous to think ahead. My mind is on the first game.”
Alexandre had her right arm amputated because of a blood cot when she was a few months old, Tapper has brachial plexus palsy, a type of paralysis to her right arm caused during her birth and Partyka was born without a right hand and forearm.
Both Alexandre and Partyka have already secured bronze medals in the Class 20 Women’s Doubles and will be looking to add a singles medal to the collection.
Alexandre and Partyka have advanced to the semifinals, securing their spots with wins over Sweden’s Anja Handen and Turkey’s Merve Demir, respectively, and ensuring themselves a medal. Tapper, however, fell short in a tough match against Chinese Taipei’s Tian Shiau Wen. Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Qian Yang also made it to the semifinals and will face Alexandre in a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 finals.
Class 10 Women’s singles will resume on Tuesday 3rd September at 13:45 GMT+2.
