One Year Ago: The First Para Table Tennis Medals Were Awarded in Paris 2024

One year ago today, history was made at South Paris Arena 4 as the first Paralympic Para table tennis gold medals in doubles competition since 1976 were awarded. It was a night filled with emotion, drama, and outstanding performances that redefined the stage of Paralympic sport.

The evening was dominated by China, who claimed both doubles titles in commanding fashion. Huang Wenjuan and Jin Yucheng opened the medal ceremonies by winning Class 14 Women’s Doubles gold, overcoming Germany’s Stephanie Grebe and Juliane Wolf in a thrilling four-game battle (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8).

For 16-year-old Jin Yucheng, making her Paralympic debut after just beginning international play in 2023, the gold medal was a breathtaking milestone. Her rapid rise to champion status became a symbol of the inspiring power of Paralympic sport.

“It feels so good. I never imagined I could get a gold medal,” reflected Huang. “This was a very good start for the whole Chinese team. We are good friends, too, and we will be even better friends after winning this gold medal together.”

The second gold came in the Class 5 Women’s Doubles, where Liu Jing and Xue Juan defeated Korea Republic’s Seo Su Yen and Yoon Jiyu 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9). This victory added to their incredible legacies: Liu reached eight gold medals across four Paralympic Games, while Xue celebrated her fourth Paralympic gold in just two appearances. Both still maintain a perfect record—winning every Paralympic event they have entered.

Xue shared an emotional reflection:

“I am very happy to win tonight for my daughter. She is still young and I hope I can have more wonderful stories to tell her when she grows up.”

The bronze medals also carried remarkable stories. In Class 14, Great Britain’s Felicity Packard and Bly Twomey earned bronze—14-year-old Twomey becoming one of the youngest Paralympic table tennis medallists in history.

“It feels amazing, I didn’t think I would get a medal this young and I was really surprised today,” said Twomey.

Partner Packard praised both the achievement and the atmosphere:

“It’s been incredible playing with Bly and our performance to get the bronze medal. The atmosphere has just been absolutely incredible, I think we were prepared for the crowds but nothing like this.”

Additional bronze medals went to Norway’s Aida Music Dahlen and Merethe Tveiten in Class 14, while Brazil’s Caria Oliveira and Joyce Oliveria, together with Thailand’s Dararat Asayut and Chilchitparyak Bootwansirina, shared bronze in Class 5.

Looking back one year later, the night of 31 August 2024 stands as a defining moment when Paralympic table tennis reclaimed its doubles tradition after 48 years. From Jin Yucheng’s debut triumph to the legendary careers of Liu Jing and Xue Juan, from Bly Twomey’s historic bronze to the overwhelming atmosphere at South Paris Arena 4—this was a night when sport exceeded even the loftiest expectations.

The return of doubles to the Paralympic stage could not have been scripted better: golden performances, emotional celebrations, and stories that perfectly captured the spirit of Paralympic sport. Truly, it was one of those magical evenings.

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