Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Qualifying Heats Up as Players Gear Up for Astana Para Open

The road to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is heating up as players from around the world gear up for the ITTF Astana Para Open 2024, the first-ever Para tournament to be held in Kazakhstan. The tournament kicks off a month filled with high-stakes competitions in Italy, Spain, and Poland, all vying to secure coveted spots in the upcoming Paralympic Games.

A total of 107 players, including notable athletes like Nam Kiwon and Maksym Chudzicki, have already qualified for Paris 2024 following their outstanding performances in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Continental Championships, and the Virtus Global Games. With the upcoming World ranking deadline on April 1st, another 71 men and 24 women will clinch their spots based on their global standings.

Among the esteemed athletes competing are former Paralympic champions such as Great Britain‘s Will Bayley and France’s Stéphane Messi, each bringing their wealth of experience to the table. Also in the fray are veterans like Jan Riapos from Slovakia and Tommy Urhaug from Norway, both aiming to add to their impressive Paralympic medal collections.

Players from Russia, who will be competing as neutral athletes in Paris following a decision by the International Paralympic Committee, are also set to make their mark in Astana. The likes of Iuri Nozdrunov, Elena Prokofeva, Maliek Alieva, Raisa Chebanika, and Victoriya Safanova will be showcasing their talents in their respective classes.

As the competition unfolds, all eyes will be on athletes like Megan Shackleton from Great Britain, who is aiming for a third consecutive victory after recent wins in the United States and Brazil. However, for the host nation of Kazakhstan, hopes of clinching medals rest on the shoulders of Ali Makhulbekov and Talgat Erekeyev, both looking to build on their podium finishes from 2023.

The ITTF Astana Para Open 2024 promises to be a thrilling event, with 18 member associations represented by a total of 89 men and 48 women competing for top honors in a quest for Paralympic glory.