Image credit: Paralympics Australia
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Qian Yang is amongst the 12-strong para-table tennis team selected for the upcoming Paris Olympics, with the team the largest since 1968.
The powerhouse team includes Danni Di Toro, who will compete at her eighth Paralympic Games, as well as Gold Coast 2018 gold medallist Melissa Tapper who will compete at her fourth Paralympics and third Olympic Games.
Lina Lei, who took home silver from Birmingham 2022, will captain the team alongside Sam von Einem, whose silver medal at Rio 2016 was Australia’s first in table tennis since Terry Biggs won gold in 1984.
The squad also includes debutants Chris Addis, Hayley Sands, Jessy Chen and Jimmy Huo, with Lin Ma and Nathan Pellissier rounding out the team selection.
Tapper said being part of the team for Paris 2024 felt even more special than previous Games because of the people involved.
“They are some of the most incredible humans I’ve ever met,” she said.
“I’m very lucky. It’s my fourth time getting to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games. Since my first Games, London 2012, I’ve seen how every Games is different. But I think Paris will do a fantastic job.
“I’d say to the new members of the team to try to enjoy every moment that they compete, embrace all the nerves and excitement that comes along with the Games and, beyond that, the athletes they’re going to meet and the experiences they have are going to last a lifetime.”
The Para-Table Tennis Competition will be held from 29 August to 7 September at the South Paris Arena 4.
Yesterday we revealed the Para-Table Tennis team bound for #Paris2024! 🏓
Jessy Chen, Chris Addis, Jimmy Huo, Trevor Hirth, Nathan Pellissier, Lin Ma, Samuel von Einem, Hayley Sands, Danni Di Toro, Lina Lei, Melissa Tapper and Qian Yang.@TableTennisAus | @qantas | @paralympics pic.twitter.com/EZp065H5F4
— AUS Paralympic Team (@AUSParalympics) July 9, 2024
Current Australian Paralympic Table Tennis Team (As at 12 July 2024)
| Name | Age | State | Paralympic Games Experience | Commonwealth Games Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Addis | 35 | VIC | Debut | |
| Daniela Di Toro | 49 | VIC | Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016; London 2012; Beijing 2008, Athens 2004 – Women’s Singles – Bronze; Sydney 2000 – Women’s Doubles – Silver; Atlanta 1996 | Birmingham 2022 - Women's Singles 3-5 - Group Matches |
| Hayley Sands | 24 | SA | Debut | |
| Jessy Chen | 34 | NSW | Debut | Birmingham 2022 – Men’s Singles 3-5 – Group Matches |
| Jimmy Huo | NSW | Debut | ||
| Lin Ma | 34 | VIC | Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016; London 2012; Beijing 2008 | Birmingham 2022 – Men’s Singles 8-10 – Silver |
| Lina Lei | 36 | VIC | Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016; London 2012; Beijing 2008; Athens 2004 | Birmingham 2022 – Women’s Singles 6-10 – Silver |
| Melissa Tapper | 34 | VIC | Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016; London 2012 | Gold Coast 2018 – Women’s Singles 6-10 – Gold |
| Nathan Pellisier | 28 | VIC | Tokyo 2020 | |
| Qian Yang | 28 | VIC | Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016; London 2012 | Birmingham 2022 – Women’s Singles 6-10 – Gold |
| Sam Von Einem | 29 | SA | Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016 | |
| Trevor Hirth | 40 | VIC | Tokyo 2020 |
