Improving and consolidating positions on the World rankings to reserve places in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is a prime factor for those travelling to Corpus Christi; the three-day United States Para Open commences on Tuesday 16th January.

On the World rankings issued on Monday 1st April, the leading names, not having already qualified as a result of winning their respective classes in last years continental tournaments, will gain Paris places by virtue of their status, a total of 71 men and 24 women will be bound for the French capital city.

The number may appear high, the reality is rather different. There are 11 classes for men, 10 for women (class 1 & class 2 combined), a predetermined quota per class being applied.

In Corpus Christi for the host nations Jenson van Emburgh and Tal Leibovitz, alongside Thailands Rungroj Thainiyom and Chinese Taipeis Lin Tzu-Yu the situation is less intense; ranking is always an important factor but whatever the outcome in Corpus Christi, they are Paris bound.

Jenson van Emburgh and Tal Leibovitz secured their places courtesy of success at the 2023 Pan American Games; Jenson van Emburgh won mens singles class 3, Tal Leibovitz secured the mens singles class 9 title.

Similarly, at the Asian Para Games, Rungroj Thainiyom prevailed in mens singles class 6, Lin Tzu-Yu in womens singles 10.

Conversely, for six players who have Paralympic Games singles medals in their locker, performances in Corpus Christi may well prove vital to aspirations.

Three years ago in Tokyo, Great Britains Jack Hunter-Spivey, bronze medallist in mens singles class 5 competes, as does Chinese Taipeis Tian Shiau-Wen, likewise she gained bronze in womens singles class 10.

Also successful in Tokyo, Korea Republics Nam Kiwon, a silver medallist in mens singles class 2 will be in action, a player who the following year at the Andalucia 2022 World Championships underlined his liking for the big time. He struck gold.

Meanwhile, earlier in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, it was bronze for Austrias Krisztian Gardos in mens singles class 10.

Turning the clock even further back, in 2004 in Athens, Frenchman Stéphane Messi won mens singles class 7 gold, Slovakias Jan Riapos prevailed in mens singles class 2. Later in 2012 in London, Riapos repeated the feat.

Equally names prominent in recent years will be seeking honours in Corpus Christi and aiming for Paris places.

In mens singles class 9, Japans Koyo Iwabuchi and Great Britains Josh Stacey compete. Both have silver medals from major tournaments; Iwabuchi at the 2023 Asian Para Games, Stacey at the Andalucia 2022 World Para Championships.

Likewise, Korea Republics Park Jincheol makes the journey to Corpus Christi; at the 2023 Asian Para Games he won mens singles class 2.

Not to be overlooked, in the womens singles events, Chinese Taipeis Tian Shiau-Wen plies her skills, she was a silver medallist at the 2023 Asian Para Games, beaten by colleague Lin Tzu-Yu in the class 10 final.

Overall, at the United States Para Open, 89 men and 18 women compete representing 21 member associations.

The mens singles and womens singles events commence play.