2024 Paris Paralympic Table Tennis Team Prepares for Games with International Competitions
by Vlad Farcas & Barbara Wei
Ian Seidenfeld during his gold medal run in Men's Class 6 at the 2023 Parapan Am Games. Santiago, Chile. Nov. 18, 2023
The US Paralympic Team table tennis team is gearing up for an action-packed month of competition, with three standout athletes leading the charge in various international tournaments. Ian Seidenfeld, Tahl Leibovitz, and Jenson Van Emburgh, all earning their spots at the Paris Paralympics with gold medals at the Para Pan Am Games in Santiago 2023, travel the globe to gain valuable experience before going for gold in Paris.
Ian Seidenfeld makes history as he represents Team USA in the first-ever Singapore Smash Para Showcase from March 12 to 14. Seidenfeld, a Tokyo 2020 gold medalist, is eager to perform in this high-stakes event, especially because it is the inaugural World Table Tennis (WTT) Para Event. The Singapore Para Smash promises to be both exciting and challenging, as only 12 of the world’s best para players in combined Class 6 and 7 are invited. With a prize pool of $29,500 USD the three-day spectacle in the Infinity Arena brings Para into WTT’s marquee Singapore Smash event.
Tahl Leibovitz and Jenson Van Emburgh embark on a European tour, participating in the ITTF Italian Para Open in Lignano, Italy, from March 6 to 9 and the ITTF Spanish Para Open from March 11 to 14. Both athletes see this opportunity as crucial to enhancing their world rankings, strategically positioning themselves for favorable seedings at the upcoming Paralympic Games. Building on their success in at the Para Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile Leibovitz and Van Emburgh are determined to continue their winning streak and solidify their status as best Para players in the world.
Zach Pickett, Sam Altshuler, and Logan Watson at also on duty at both the Spanish and Italian Para Opens. The trio are part of the new Para Residency Program in Charlotte, NC where they take part in high tech and innovative training methods at the new training center. They hope to showcase the improvements they have made in their residency program on the international stage.
As the US Paralympic Table Tennis Team looks ahead to Paris 2024, the upcoming month of intense competition will serve as a crucial steppingstone for these athletes. With a blend of seasoned Paralympians and promising talents emerging from the Para Residency Program, USA Table Tennis athletes are poised to make a significant impact on the global stage, reaffirming their commitment to excellence in Para table tennis.