Medallists in Tokyo, following the conclusion of play on Saturday 25th May at the ITTF Paralympic World Singles Qualification Tournament in Pattaya, possibilities of repeat success in Paris remained very much alive for more than one notable name.

A tournament in which only first place secured qualification for the prestigious quadrennial gathering, there was no margin for error, second place counted for nought.

In the womens singles, Elena Prokofeva alongside colleagues Maliak Alieva and Victoriya Safanova, all competing as independent athletes and in the same classes as in the Japanese capital city, kept hopes alive.

Gold medallist, Elena Prokofeva won class 11, silver medallists, Maliak Alieva and Victoriya Safonova prevailed in class 6 and class 7 respectively.

Also, in the mens singles there was success for Thailands Thirayu Chueawong in class 3 and Germanys Bjoern Schnake in class 7; just over three years ago in Tokyo, both were mens team event bronze medallists, Thirayu Chueawong in class 3, Bjoern Schnake in class 6-7.

Success at the Paralympic Games, one more name may be added, Hou Chunxia, bronze medallist in 2008 in Beijing, emerged the womens singles class 10 winner.

Furthermore, there was no shortage of players reserving Paris places who had enjoyed World Para Championships success but have yet to achieve a Paralympic Games medal.

On duty in the same class as at the Andalucia 2022 World Para Championships in Grenada; in Pattaya Italys Andrea Borgato emerged the mens singles class 1 winner.  Likewise, in the womens singles Argentinas Maria Garrone prevailed in class 1-2, Thailands Wijittra Jaion in class 4, colleague, Panwas Sringam in class 5.

Plying their skills in Grenada, it had been gold for Wijittra Jaion, for Panwas Sringam silver, for Andrea Borgato and Maria Garrone, bronze.

Additionally, the name of Jennyfer Parinos, the womens singles class 9 winner, may be added to the list. She was a member of Brazils gold medal class 9-10 winning team at the 2017 World Team Para Championships in Bratislava.

Players of pedigree, in a similar vein, those who have enjoyed success at major multi-sport events displayed the fact they are more than capable of challenging for honours in Paris.

Notably, in the mens singles there was success for Chiles Matias Pino in class 6 and Japans Takeshi Takamori in class 11; similarly, in the womens singles it was the top prize for Thailands Patamawadee Intanon in class 3.

Matias Pino won gold at the 2023 Para Pan American Games, Patamawadee Intanon the same colour in the same year in class 1-3 at the World Ability Games. One step lower, Takeshi Takamori claimed silver at the 2022 Asian Games.

Formidable opponents in Paris but could the most formidable be those who have claimed titles at international tournaments this year?

Winner of womens singles class 8 in Kazakhstan, Elena Litvinenko, an independent athlete, enjoyed the same success in Pattaya, a situation that applied to Frenchman Sylvain Noel, he won mens singles class 3.

Not to be overlooked, Ivan Karpov, like Elena Litvinenko an independent athlete, a bronze medallist in Kazakhstan, won mens singles class 10.

Meanwhile, in the mens singles, bronze medallists earlier this year on the Costa Brava, topped the list in Pattaya; Japans Genki Saito won class 4, Serbias Mitar Palikuca, class 5.

Following suit, respective silver and bronze medallists earlier this year in Poland, claimed gold on Thai soil. Chinas Liu Chaodong won mens singles class 9, Borna Zohil mens singles class 8.

Paris places booked; now it is preparation for the greatest show on earth, the four-day 2024 ITTF Taipei City Para Open commences on Wednesday 29th May.