Van Emburgh Wins Gold at Historic U.S. ITTF World Para Elite Spokane
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by Joshua Dyke
Singles: Jenson Van Emburgh wins gold in men's singles Class 3 at ITTF World Para Elite Spokane 2025. Spokane, Wash., August 11, 2025. (Photo by USAT/Rich London)
Jenson Van Emburgh has captured gold in men’s singles Class 3 at the first ITTF World Para Elite event in the United States in Spokane, Washington. In the final he swept two-time Paralympic medalist and current World No. 5 Yeongjin Jang (KOR) 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 12-10).
The finals encounter featured a tenacious performance by Van Emburgh. Keeping his composure, he overcame a point deficit of two to five points in each game to seal the victory.
“I’m happy, and it’s an honor to do it on home soil,” said Van Emburgh. When I play Yeong, it's going to be a tough match. My mental is completely different, and I just try to play my best and give my best against him."
One year removed from a heartbreaking loss to Jang at Paris 2024, 11-9 in the fifth, the rematch and gold were a little bit sweeter. Van Emburgh’s confidence continues to build as he progresses to represent the U.S. at LA 2028. His next major event will be the ITTF World Para Elite Sao Paulo in October.
In men’s singles Class 6, Ian Seidenfeld finished his run in Spokane with a bronze against Ignacio Torres (CHI) after taking him five games in the semifinals. To get there, he was able to get past Torres’ teammate, World No. 7 Matias Pinos, in the quarterfinals of the knockout stage. The match was tightly contested through game four, but Seidenfeld looked sharper as the game went on. Pulling away in the fifth, he sealed the win 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5).
Mingyu Zu had a successful return to para table tennis after finishing law school. Getting right back into the flow of the game, she was able to earn bronze for the U.S. in women’s singles Class 8.
16-year-old Sam Altshuler reached the men’s singles Class 6 round of 16 after picking up a solid victory against former Rio 2016 bronze medalist Hong Kyu Park (KOR) 3-1 in the group stages. Altshuler was able to take Perry Martin (GBR) to five games before his exit.
Wrapping up in the men’s singles Class 9 quarterfinals, Tahl Leibovitz finished after very narrowly missing the semifinal round against Joshua Stacey (GBR) 3-1 (9-11, 16-14, 12-14, 5-11).
