Jenson Van Emburgh Makes History as World Number One in Para Table Tennis

USA Table Tennis celebrates a landmark achievement as Jenson Van Emburgh ascends to the top of the ITTF Para Table Tennis Wheelchair Rankings.

Jenson Van Emburgh has etched his name into the history books by becoming the world’s top-ranked player in the ITTF Para Table Tennis Wheelchair Class Rankings. This monumental feat makes him the first American to reach the world number one position in Para Table Tennis since Mitchell Seidenfeld—now the Head Coach of the U.S. Para National Team—held the honor back in January 1997.

Van Emburgh’s journey to the top is both inspiring and remarkable. Paralyzed from the chest down due to a spinal cord injury at birth, Jenson discovered table tennis in an unexpected way. While accompanying his brother to a tennis event, the outdoor heat made it uncomfortable for Jenson to stay outside. Fortunately, the tennis center had a ping pong table indoors. Curious and looking to pass the time, he picked up a paddle—and quickly fell in love with the sport.

In 2025 alone, he captured gold at three major international tournaments: the ITTF World Para Challenger in São Paulo, the ITTF World Para Challenger in Lasko, and the prestigious ITTF Para World Elite event in Lasko. It was at the Elite event in Lasko where Jenson delivered one of the most defining performances of his career—defeating reigning World Champion Thomas Schmidberger for the very first time. In a thrilling five-set battle, Jenson found himself trailing 8–2 in the final set but mounted an extraordinary comeback to win 11–8 and clinch the gold medal. The win not only marked a personal breakthrough but also signaled his readiness to stand atop the global rankings.

Reflecting on what it means to be world number one, Jenson shared that achieving this milestone has been a dream come true. “One of my dreams as a kid has come true, and all of the work I am doing is paying off,” he said. This moment is the culmination of years of dedication and determination—a journey that began long before the podium finishes and international accolades.

Looking ahead, Jenson remains grounded and focused. His goals for the remainder of the year are clear: to keep training hard and compete in two important upcoming tournaments, including back to back events (ITTF Para Future & ITTF Para Elite) in Spokane, Washington, and the Para PanAmerican Championships in October. With momentum on his side, he is determined to add more titles to his name while continuing to represent the United States with pride.

A typical training day for Van Emburgh is structured and intense. He begins each morning with a training session alongside his coach, Jeff Yamada. After lunch and a brief rest, he returns for another rigorous session and sometimes follows with matches after his training. It’s a demanding routine, but one that has clearly delivered results.

When asked about the toughest match of his career, Jenson recalled the Round of 16 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games against the German Thomas Bruchle. Going in as the underdog against the then world number four, he pulled off a thrilling five-set upset—a breakthrough moment that would eventually lead to the United States' first Paralympic table tennis medal in over 20 years. He secured the bronze, a performance that signaled the start of a new era for U.S. Para Table Tennis.

To those who aspire to follow in his footsteps, Jenson offers heartfelt advice: “Hard work really is the key to improvement, and enjoying what you do is essential. There will be many hard and frustrating days, but there is a light at the end of every tunnel.”

From his bronze medal in Tokyo to a historic silver at the 2022 World Para Table Tennis Championships, and now to world number one, Jenson Van Emburgh continues to raise the bar for U.S. Para Table Tennis. His journey is not only a testament to personal excellence but also a source of inspiration for athletes across the country.

Congratulations to Jenson on this incredible achievement—your dedication, resilience, and passion have made history and inspired a nation.