2004 Paralympic Games

Tahl Leibovitz Brings Home the Bronze

Athens, Greece · Sept. 17-28, 2004

By Coach Sean O’Neill

[Note – For daily blog’s by Coach Sean O’Neill and Bronze Medalist Tahl Leibovitz and other info, see the USATT 2004 Paralympics page at www.usatt.org/events/2004paralympics.]

Two weeks after the 28th Olympic Games concluded, the 12th Paralympic Games, with 3,969 athletes from 136 countries, took center stage to show the world the heartfelt meaning of dedication, inspiration and courage.

A total of 19 sports fought for gold, silver and bronze medals in events such as wheelchair basketball, tennis, shooting, swimming, athletics, and of course table tennis, plus some not on the Olympic program like rugby and boccia.

Disabled table tennis is made up of 10 distinct classes for both men and women. Classes 1-5 are dedicated for wheelchair players, while classes 6-10 are for standing disabled events. Although no doubles are contested, Corbillion (or Davis Cup) team events are played in most of the classes.

The United States Paralympic Table Tennis Team, while small in size, was big on experience and desire. Led by Team Captain Jennifer Johnson from Port Chester, NY, participating in her sixth straight Paralympics (three gold, three silver and one bronze medal), the team was made up of Tahl Leibovitz from Elmhurst, NY (1996 Gold and Bronze Medalist) and newcomer Wayne Lo from Sunnyvale, CA. Due to the small size of the team, Sean O’Neill from Charlottesville, VA doubled as the Head Coach and Team Leader.

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