21 Dec 2018

Medals abundant earlier in the year in Sant Cugat del Valles, on home soil at the forthcoming 2018 Thailand Para Open; those twelve players who enjoyed success in the Spanish town north of Barcelona, will be on duty in Chiang Mai.

Play commences on Wednesday 19th December and concludes on Saturday 22nd December.

by Ian Marshall, Editor

In Sant Cugat de Valles, in the Men’s Singles events Niyom Nachai won gold in Class 4, Rungroj Thainiyom in Class 6, Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri in Class 8 and Bumpot Sillakong in Class 10; similarly Jedsada Yodyangdeang was a silver medallist in Class 5, Charlermpong Punpoo secured the same finish in Class 7.

Later in the proceedings in the Men’s Team events, Niyom Nachai, Jedsada Yodyangdeang and Teeradech Klangmantee secured the Class 5 title, Rungroj Thainiyom and Charlermpong Punpoo emerged the Class 6-7 champions. Meanwhile partnering Japan’s Silvkoyo Iwabushi it was Class 10 gold for Bunpot Sillapakong; alongside Australia’s Nathan Pellisier and Great Britain’s Ryan Henry, it was bronze for Komkrit Charistat in Class 8.

Similarly, there was notable success for their female counterparts in Sant Cugat de Valles, Wijittra Jaion won Class 3-5, Sumale Suangth was a silver medallist in Class 1-5, Wassana Sringam a bronze medal winner in Class 3-5. Additionally in the Women’s Team events Wijittra Jaion and Wassana Sringam combined to secure the Class 1-5 title. Sumale Suangth partnered Pattaravadee Waraitdamrongkul to bronze in Class 1-3.

Success for Thailand in Spain; there was also success for one most prominent name who is present in Chiang Mai. Reigning Paralympic Games and World champion, the recent winner of Female Para Star of the Year at the 2018 ITTF Star Awards Gala, Kelly Van Zon of the Netherlands, a Class 7 athlete will be on duty.

Overall a total of 162 players will compete in Chiang Mai, 118 men and 44 women. The national associations represented are: Australia, Chile, France, Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Netherlands, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

2018 Thailand Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws

Paralympics Para Table Tennis 2018 Thailand Para Open