One year ago today, Para table tennis witnessed two historic moments that perfectly captured the sport’s rich heritage and exciting future. Slovakia’s Jan Riapos, the Club 8 legend competing in his eighth Paralympic Games, claimed his fifth Paralympic gold medal. Meanwhile, China’s Zhao Shuai and Mao Jingdian etched their names in history by winning the first-ever Paralympic Para table tennis mixed doubles title.
At 56 years old, Jan Riapos partnered with Paralympic debutant Peter Lovas to defeat Korea Republic’s Hang Yeongjin and Park Sung Joo 3-1 (12-10, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8) in the Class 4 Men’s Doubles final. “The doubles is a totally different game than the singles,” reflected Riapos afterwards. “This is a great achievement for me.”
For partner Peter Lovas, making his Paralympic debut, the moment was pure magic: “I feel incredible, I can’t describe how I feel. This is my first Paralympic Games and we won the gold medal, so it is absolutely amazing.”
The partnership showcased the beautiful blend of experience and fresh talent that makes Paralympic sport so compelling. “We spent a lot of time preparing for this,” Riapos explained. “I tried to hand over to Peter everything I know. My experience was invaluable, especially in these heavy and long matches.”
Earlier in the competition, China’s Zhao Shuai and Mao Jingdian also made their mark by winning the first-ever Paralympic mixed doubles title. Their 3-0 victory over fellow Chinese pair Peng Weinan and Xiong Guiyan in the Class 17 final represented more than just a gold medal – it was the dawn of a new era in Paralympic table tennis.
“We are very happy to win the gold medal,” said the champions. “Mixed doubles is also a new event in this Olympics. We support each other in this Olympics, especially emotionally. This gold medal also proves that our efforts are not in vain.”
Their path to gold included a dramatic semifinal comeback against Ukraine’s Viktor Didukh and Iryna Shunkarova, recovering from 2-0 down to win in a nail-biting fifth game. Poland’s Piotr Grudzien and Karolina Pek, along with the Ukrainian pair, shared the bronze medals.
The introduction of mixed doubles at Paris 2024 aligned perfectly with the ITTF’s mission to champion gender equality, diversity, and teamwork. While men’s and women’s doubles had returned after a 48-year absence, mixed doubles provided a completely fresh platform to showcase athletic partnership and skill.
This addition didn’t just expand the Paralympic programme – it redefined the Paralympic table tennis landscape, offering new opportunities for athletes to compete and excel together.
Despite his unparalleled success, Riapos’s true passion extended beyond personal accolades. “I am a sportsman, but my heart and soul are dedicated to developing opportunities for handicapped people in Slovakia,” he reflected. “These Games in Paris have been perfect. Now I see that the Paralympic movement is evolving from amateur to more professional.”
His words captured the essence of what made these achievements so meaningful – they weren’t just about individual glory, but about advancing the Paralympic movement and inspiring future generations.
Looking back one year later, 31 August 2024 stands as a day when Paralympic table tennis celebrated both its storied past and its bright future. Riapos’s historic achievement alongside a Paralympic debutant, combined with the inaugural mixed doubles champions, created a perfect snapshot of what makes Paralympic sport so special.