Italy’s Para table tennis team has soared to new heights at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, claiming its first gold medals in over 50 years (Class 1-2 Women’s Singles and Class 6 Men’s Singles) along with two bronze medals (Class 3 Women’s Singles and Class 1 Men’s Singles). This outstanding achievement matches Italy’s four-medal haul from Barcelona 1992, where the team secured two silver and two bronze medals.

The success at Paris 2024 reflects the culmination of Italy’s long-term vision and strategic 20-year rebuild. This marks Italy’s most successful Paralympic Games in table tennis since the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome 1960, highlighting the determination and effort that has transformed the team.

The 20-Year Transformation: From Setbacks to Success

The transformation of Italy’s Para table tennis program began in 2005, when head coach Alessandro Arcigli, the former head coach of Italy’s women’s able-bodied team, was brought in to overhaul the Para table tennis program after disappointing results at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games. His mission was clear: to transform Italy’s Para table tennis landscape.

Arcigli launched a 20-year development strategy that would fundamentally change the way Italy approached Para table tennis. With the full support of Para table tennis by the Italian Table Tennis Federation, the groundwork was laid for long-term success.  A new approach to scouting began, targeting rehabilitation centres to identify potential players and encouraging them to take up the sport. These fresh talents were integrated with seasoned players, creating a team that blended the experience and wisdom of veteran athletes with the energy and enthusiasm of the new generation. This approach fostered a stronger, more cohesive team, combining the best of both worlds.

‘I actually started a bit by chance, in 2016, when I was in rehabilitation in Montecatone after a spinal surgery. One evening I heard the noise of the balls coming from the floor above mine and I went to see. I met the president of my current company, Lo Sport è vita Onlus of Imola, who was training with other patients. Then, still during my hospital stay, I met the technical director of the National Table Tennis Team, Alessandro Arcigli, who invited me to see the Italian Championships that were held in Lignano Sabbiadoro that year. I went and slowly I became more and more passionate, the training intensified and over time the first call-ups, the first competitions and also the first satisfactions arrived’ Paris 2024 bronze medallist, Carlotta Ragazzini on how she started playing (settesere.it, 10 Apr 2022)

Integral to the success of Italy’s para table tennis program has been the unwavering support of the Italian Table Tennis Federation, which governs both able-bodied and para table tennis. Additionally, the Italian Paralympic Committee has provided essential funding, enabling the team to operate at a high level and continue its development, driving the program’s growth and success over the years.

Focused Strategy: Quality Over Quantity

Unlike table tennis powerhouse nations like China or Korea, Italy took a different path—focusing on a smaller, elite group of players. Currently, the top level of Italy’s national Para table tennis team consists of just seven athletes—six wheelchair players and one standing player. This decision reflects a deliberate strategy allowing Italy to concentrate its resources on these select few, ensuring that they receive the highest quality training and support.

At the heart of this focused strategy is the full-time training centre in Lignano. Here, the athletes train up to 40 hours a week, living and working together as they hone their skills. The Para table tennis program benefits from a robust support network, including head coach Alessandro Arcigli, coaches Massimo Pischiutti and Hwang Eunbit (the former head coach of the Korean women’s para table tennis team, recruited after Tokyo 2020), sparring partners along with dedicated physical trainers and physiotherapists. This holistic support system has been vital in the athletes’ growth and development.

Creating Champions: Building a Mentality for Winning and Losing

While Italy’s athletes are trained to win, Arcigli and his team have worked tirelessly to cultivate a healthy mindset around competition. Winning is celebrated, but losing is normalised as part of the game.

“When you play, one player wins, one loses—both want to win but losing is normal. Of course we are more happy to win but losing is part of the sport. I am proud of all my players because they have not only tried their best during the match but also because of all their efforts in the preparation and training leading up to the match, regardless of the outcome.” Arcigli

This philosophy has fostered a family-like atmosphere within the team, where all members share in each other’s successes and failures. When a player wins a medal, it’s a victory for the entire team.

“We live, work and build together, day in and day out. It’s a family, and we all win together.” Arcigli

Paris 2024: Italy’s Breakthrough Moment

At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Italy’s focused strategy has yielded extraordinary results. All seven athletes qualified without the need for wildcards. Six players advanced to the quarter-finals, four reached the semi-finals and two players won their event – securing four medals in total. This achievement marks a significant improvement from previous Games and solidifies Italy’s place as a rising force in Para table tennis.

In a thrilling Class 6 men’s singles showdown, Matteo Parenzan proved his dominance, winning the title without dropping a single game. In the semifinals, Parenzan delivered a stunning performance, defeating Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Ian Seidenfeld 3-0. He kept the momentum going with another spectacular victory in the final, toppling Thailand’s Rungroj Thainiyom 3-0. Like Italy, Thailand has also been working tirelessly advancing their own Para table tennis program.

In the Class 1-2 Women’s Singles, Giada Rossi pulled off a jaw-dropping upset by dismantling China’s Liu Jing, who had dominated the event with four consecutive Paralympic titles. Rossi’s 3-0 win left the crowd in awe and marked a historic moment in the sport.

The Italian public has fully embraced the team’s success, with increased media coverage highlighting the impact of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Over 1 million viewers tuned in to watch Carlotta Ragazzini’s Class 3 women’s singles semifinal, a clear indication that para table tennis is gaining mainstream attention. This exposure not only signals the growing popularity of the sport in Italy but also works to inspire a new generation of athletes.

Looking Ahead: Building the Future of Italian Para Table Tennis

While Italy’s current crop of players has delivered incredible results, the future looks even brighter. Many of the athletes competing in Paris are young and have years ahead of them in the sport. Now, with the confidence of winning on the biggest stage in Para sport, they’re ready to continue their rise.

For the first time in history, Italy will also be creating a Para table tennis youth team—fuelled by the momentum from Paris 2024 and the increased media exposure. A new generation of athletes will be developed under a fresh coaching team, aiming to follow in the footsteps of those who have paved the way with the foundation built by Arcigli over the past 20 years serving as the model for this new team. The goal? To prepare the next wave of players for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

A New Era of Success

Italy’s Para table tennis success at Paris 2024 is the culmination of two decades of vision, hard work, and belief. Under Arcigli’s leadership, the program has risen from the ashes to a new era of achievement. With four medals in hand and the promise of more to come, Italy is not only celebrating its present but looking confidently towards the future, ready to build on this incredible momentum for years to come.