One year ago today, the curtain fell on what many consider the greatest Paralympic para table tennis competition in history. Over two extraordinary days, South Paris Arena 4 witnessed breakthrough victories, redemption stories, and historic firsts that perfectly encapsulated the magic of Paralympic sport.
On 6 September, Yunier Fernandez delivered one of the tournament’s most significant moments, claiming Cuba’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in para table tennis. His commanding 3-0 victory over Great Britain’s Robert Davies in the Class 1 Men’s Singles final was the culmination of years of perseverance for the Cuban star.
“I am very happy because this is the first gold medal for Cuba,” Fernandez reflected. “I have been training for that for a long time. This medal is a little late in coming, but the important thing is that I have won it now.”
Competing in his third Paralympic Games after fifth-place finishes in Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020, Fernandez’s path to gold showcased remarkable resilience. He overcame Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Thomas Matthews 3-1 in the quarterfinals before edging Italy’s Federico Falco 3-2 in a nail-biting semifinal that set up his historic final triumph.
Perhaps the most inspiring story belonged to 19-year-old Najlah Imad, who on 7 September became Iraq’s first-ever Paralympic medallist in para table tennis – and she made it gold. Her 3-1 victory over defending champion Maryna Lytovchenko capped an extraordinary journey that began in tragedy but blossomed into triumph.
At just three years old, a bomb explosion in Baquba had changed Najlah’s life forever, resulting in the loss of much of her right leg, her left leg at the knee, and her right forearm. Yet at age 10, she discovered table tennis despite her family’s initial concerns.
“My advice to all people, especially women, is that my disability has not prevented me from achieving my dream,” she said. “Strive, and continue to work until you reach your dream.”
Training in modest conditions with second-hand equipment, Najlah’s rapid rise saw her win her first local tournament just six months after picking up a paddle. Her Paris triumph represented not just personal achievement, but hope for countless others facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Isau Ogunkunle’s bronze medal in Class 4 Men’s Singles marked Nigeria’s return to Paralympic para table tennis glory after 24 years. His medal ended a drought stretching back to Sydney 2000, when Tajudeen Agunbiade and Alabi Olufemi claimed gold and bronze respectively.
Ogunkunle’s journey to the podium included stunning victories over reigning Paralympic champion Abdullah Ozturk and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Maxime Thomas. Though his semifinal run ended against eventual champion Kim Young-Gun, his achievement reignited Nigerian hopes in the sport.
Viktor Didukh’s story provided one of the competition’s most emotionally charged moments. Three years after losing the Tokyo 2020 Class 8 Men’s Singles final to China’s Zhao Shuai, the Ukrainian claimed his redemption with a thrilling 3-2 victory in Paris.
“Nobody expected me to win,” Didukh admitted afterwards. “He is stronger, more mobile, he has two legs, I have one leg. It makes a difference having more mobility. I don’t know how I beat him, it will take a long time to work out.”
Didukh’s journey had been shaped by a 2008 cancer diagnosis that resulted in the amputation of his left leg above the knee. Yet with guidance from his brother Oleksandr – who competed at the London 2012 Olympics – Viktor transformed personal adversity into Paralympic excellence.
The final match of the Games belonged to Belgium’s Laurens Devos, who delivered a masterclass to claim his third consecutive Paralympic gold medal. His commanding 3-0 victory over France’s Lucas Didier in the Class 9 Men’s Singles final perfectly capped the tournament’s narrative of excellence and dominance.
“I feel amazing, of course,” Devos reflected. “To be a three-time Paralympic champion is an amazing achievement. The amount of pressure on my shoulders for the last few days was big, but of course you want to defend your title. For the last three weeks I didn’t sleep at all, it’s just pressure.”
At just 24 years old, Devos had remained unbeaten in para table tennis tournaments since 2015 – a streak spanning nearly a decade. His Paris triumph, achieved with characteristic calm and precision against the passionate home crowd supporting Didier, underlined why he had held the world No.1 ranking since July 2017.
The Belgian’s victory was particularly poignant as a family affair, with his brother serving as coach and providing crucial support from the sidelines. Their bond had been instrumental throughout Devos’s remarkable journey to becoming one of the sport’s greatest champions.
As the final ball was struck on 7 September, para table tennis bid farewell to what ITTF President Petra Sörling called “a dream summer in Paris.” The tournament showcased the sport like never before, with passionate French crowds creating an electric atmosphere that elevated every match.
From historic firsts to redemption stories, from teenage sensations to veteran masters, the final two days perfectly captured why Paralympic sport touches hearts and changes lives. The medals may have been distributed across 31 National Paralympic Committees, but the real winners were everyone who witnessed these extraordinary human stories unfold.
Looking back one year later, those final 48 hours in Paris demonstrated everything magnificent about Paralympic competition. Whether it was Fernandez’s long-awaited breakthrough, Najlah’s inspirational triumph, Ogunkunle’s historic achievement, or Didukh’s sweet revenge, each story reminded us why Paralympic sport transcends mere competition. Paralympic para table tennis had delivered a finale worthy of its golden summer in the City of Light.
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One Year Ago: A Golden Finale to Para Table Tennis Glory appeared first on
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