The “tetra loop,” which the French have coined as the “retro candle,” has emerged as a significant point of discussion at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This advanced technique in wheelchair table tennis involves a precise strike that sends the ball sharply upward, causing it to drop just over the net and spin back toward the player’s side of the table. Often resulting in an un-returnable shot, the retro candle is both a potent and controversial tactic.
Some critics argue that the retro candle takes advantage of the physical limitations of wheelchair players, making it nearly impossible for opponents to counter effectively. This perspective has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with spectators at the South Paris Arena sometimes expressing their disapproval through boos and whistles when the move is executed. These critics see the retro candle as unsporting and contrary to the spirit of fair play.
However, within the Para table tennis community, the retro candle is widely defended as a legitimate and highly technical move. French Para table tennis champion Fabien Lamirault, who frequently uses the tetra loop, emphasises the immense skill and dedication required to master this technique.
‘Those who find it unfair don’t know anything about table tennis, We’re not here to be play nice but to win matches. In the quarter-finals in doubles, we played the Polish, one of whom, Rafal Czuper, is a real specialist. He does it at least ten times per set. But try to reach his level, you’ll see that it’s complicated. It takes years and years of work to perform this move perfectly. And when he succeeds, we have to applaud!
Whatever the discipline, you have to play on the opponent’s weakness. The most important thing is to score the point. That is to say, put the ball where the opponent cannot return it. It is the same for everyone, with or without a wheelchair.”
To better highlight the complexity and artistry of this controversial shot, a new camera has been installed on the wheelchair broadcasting table specifically to capture the retro candle in action. This technological enhancement aims to give viewers a deeper appreciation of the skill involved in executing the retro candle, offering a fresh perspective on the ongoing debate about its use.
Experts have likened the retro candle to other high-risk, high-reward techniques in different sports, such as the panenka in football or the drop shot in tennis. Raul Calin, the Secretary-General of ITTF and former coach of the Spanish national team, draws parallels between these moves and the retro candle.
“When you pull off a panenka, everyone applauds, but if you miss, you might face jeers. It’s the same in tennis with the drop shot. It’s encouraging to see strong reactions to the retro candle. One of the goals of the Paralympic Games is to introduce the world to Para table tennis, and sparking debates like this helps achieve that. By the end of the Games, I’m confident that people will come to appreciate the retro candle for what it is—a brilliant technical feat.”
In Class 4, French player Flora Vautier acknowledges that she doesn’t often attempt the retro candle due to its difficulty and the risks involved. Nevertheless, she executed a remarkable one recently during the quarterfinals of the Class 10 Women’s Doubles, which quickly went viral on social media.
“In my class, it’s less common, that’s true. It’s an incredibly difficult shot to make. The ball needs to fall just behind the net. If it’s too far, you’re exposed to a block, and if the backspin fails, the opponent can easily smash it.”
View this post on Instagram
The new camera technology is expected to enhance the audience’s understanding of the strategic depth in Para table tennis, where athletes must constantly adapt their tactics based on their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.
As the Paris 2024 Paralympics progress, the retro candle, or tetra loop, will likely continue to be a topic of lively discussion—not only for its effectiveness but also for how it challenges public perceptions of people with disabilities athleticism in Para sports. Ultimately, as more spectators and players gain insight into the intricacies of Para table tennis, the retro candle may well be celebrated as a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the athletes who master it.
