Repeating the success gained in Tokyo, it is the overriding aim one month hence in Paris; at the ITTF Thailand Para Open, play concluding after four days of action on Wednesday 24th July, prominent names endorsed the fact they are very much on course to achieve their goals.

Staged in Pattaya, a factor 40 tournament for World ranking, gold medallists in Tokyo, Korea Republics Joo Youngdae alongside the Chinese quartet comprising Feng Panfeng, Yan Shuo, Zhao Shuai and Mao Jingdian all claimed the top prize.

Competing in the same category as in the Japanese capital city, in the mens singles Joo Youngdae won class 1, Feng Panfeng class 3, Yan Shuo class 7 and Zhao Shuai class 8.

Similarly in the womens singles, Mao Jingdian emerged the class 9 winner, having secured the class 8 title in Tokyo.

Very much as expected, the somewhat surprise outcome came in womens singles class 4 when Zhou Ying, gold in Tokyo, was beaten at the semi-final stage by colleague Gu Xiaodan (11-8, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9.

Impressively Gu Xiaodan accounted for Indias Bhavina Patel in the final (11-8, 11-6, 13-11), a result that suggests an intriguing event in Paris. In Tokyo, Guo Xiaodan was a bronze medallist, Bhavina Patel the silver medallist.

Defeat for Zhou Ying, it was the same for another Tokyo winner; in mens singles class 11, Hungarys Peter Palos was beaten at the final hurdle by Korea Republics Kim Gitae (11-13, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7), the reigning World champion.

One step lower, there was success for silver medallists in Tokyo.

On duty in the same category in Pattaya, in the mens singles Korea Republics Kim Younggun won class 4, Chinas Cao Ningning class 5; for the women, Korea Republics Seo Yeon succeeded in class 1-2, Chinas Huang Wenjuan in class 8.

Gold for Huang Wenjuan suggests she starts the favourite in Paris, in the Tokyo final she was beaten by Mao Jingdian, now no longer in that class.

Moving one step lower down the Tokyo order of merit, bronze medallists added to their tally.

Most notably in the womens singles, Korea Republics Yoon Jiyu sealed the top prize in class 3, Hong Kongs Wong Ting Ting secured bronze in class 11; for the men, Korea Republics Cha Sooyong concluded matters the runner up in mens singles class 2, Zhai Xiang, a bronze medallist in class 3.

Contenders for honours in Paris, in the mens singles, results in Pattaya suggest it is the same Slovakias Peter Lovas, Chiles Ignacio Torres and Japans Koyo Iwabuchi as well as for Chinas Liu Fu and Lian Hao.

All clinched gold in Pattaya, Peter Lovas won 2, Liu Fu class 5, Ignacio Torres class 6, Koyo Iwabuchi class 9 and Lian Hao class 10.

Likewise in the womens singles, it was success for Korea Republics Kim Seongok in class 7, Hou Chunxiao in class 10.

Only one event did not witness a player en route to Paris claiming gold, the host nations Kanokporn Phathumcai prevailed in womens singles class 6.

Notable names prevalent on the opening two days of action, it was the same as play continued, Mao Jingdian underlining her quality; partnering Liu Meng, she won womens doubles class 20 and with Zhao Shuai, mixed doubles class 17.

Three titles secured, the only player to achieve the feat, two for Zhao Shuai.

Similarly, Feng Panfeng, Seo Suyeon, Yoon Jiyu, Zhou Ying, Zhang Bian and Huang Wenjuan, each departed with two titles to their names.

Zhou Ying partnered Zhang Bian to womens doubles gold, before with Feng Panfeng claiming the mixed doubles class 7 title. Likewise, there was mixed doubles gold for Zhang Bian, she partnered Cao Ningning to victory in class 10.

Meanwhile, Seo Suyeon and Yoon Jiyu combined to win womens doubles class 5, Huang Wenjuan alongside Chen Chao prevailed in mixed doubles class 14.

Titles for China as play concluded; also, there was success for Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea Republic and Thailand.

Brazils Israel Stroh partnered the host nations Suriyone Thapaeng to gold in mens doubles class 14; Hong Kongs Wong Chi Yin and Lam Yan Yu emerged the mixed doubles class 20 winners, Indias Shubham Wadhwa and Etka Bhyan succeeded in mixed doubles class 4.

In a similar vein, Korea Republics Cha Sooyong and Park Jincheol won mens doubles class 4.

Not to be overshadowed by visitors, the host nations Wanchai Chaiwut and Yuttajak Glinbanchuen claimed mens doubles class 8 gold, Charlermpong Punpoo and Bunpot Sillapong prevailed in mens doubles class 18, Kanlaya Chaiwut-Kriabklang and Kanoporn Phathumcai succeeded in womens doubles class 14.

Play concluded in Thailand, attention now turns to France, the greatest tournament of all, play in the table tennis events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games commences on Thursday 29th August and concludes on Saturday 7th September 2024.