The ITTF World Para Elite São Paulo 2025 promises to deliver compelling generational battles when competition begins on 3 October, with Brazilian emerging talents facing off against established Paralympic medallists in a week that could reshape the sport’s landscape.
Taking place from 3-7 October and running back-to-back with the ITTF Pan American Para Championships, the São Paulo event carries added significance with the Continental Championship acting as a qualification pathway for the ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand.
Brazil’s New Wave Challenges the Champions
The tournament features six fascinating clashes where Brazilian youth takes on Paralympic royalty, creating storylines that extend far beyond traditional competition narratives.
Men’s Class 5: Paralympic Champions Face Home Challenge
Perhaps the most intriguing battle involves the last two Paralympic champions in MS5. Germany’s Valentin Baus and Norway’s Tommy Urhaug – both Paralympic gold medallists – will face stern tests from Brazil’s exciting young talents Lucas Carvalhal and Carlos Eduardo Freire de Moraes, both in their twenties and competing with home advantage.
The duo represent Brazil’s commitment to developing world-class talent, and their opportunity to test themselves against Paralympic champions on home soil provides the perfect stage for breakthrough performances.
Men’s Class 10: Paris Bronze Meets Brazilian Sensation
France’s Mateo Boheas, fresh from his bronze medal triumph at Paris 2024, faces perhaps his toughest challenge yet in Gabriel de Oliveira Antunes. The Brazilian star has been in sensational form throughout 2025, capturing three tournament victories and reaching the Elite final in the USA.
De Oliveira Antunes’s consistency and home support make him a genuine threat to the Paralympic medallist, setting up what could be one of the tournament’s defining encounters.
Women’s Class 7: Van Zon Faces Rising Threat
Paralympic champion and world number one Kelly van Zon of the Netherlands will contend with Brazil’s Lethicia Lacerda in WS7. Van Zon’s experience and championship pedigree face a stern examination from the ambitious Brazilian competing in front of passionate home crowds.
Women’s Class 8: Current Champion Versus New Number One
An equally compelling women’s battle sees France’s Thu Kamkasomphou take on Brazil’s teenage sensation Sophia Kelmer. At just 17, Kelmer claimed her first Elite title in Thailand earlier this year to reach world number one in WS8, making her clash with the experienced Kamkasomphou a genuine test of her championship credentials.
Men’s Class 7: Youth Versus Experience
In a fascinating role reversal, Norwegian teenager Krizander Magnussen – who has climbed into the world’s top five in just two years – faces Brazil’s Paulo Salmin, a four-time Para Pan American champion. This represents the only generational clash where the Brazilian brings veteran experience against foreign youth, adding another intriguing dimension to the competition.
World Number Ones in Action
Beyond the generational battles, several world number ones will look to assert their dominance:
Jenson van Emburgh (USA) brings his MS3 world number one ranking and newfound confidence after defeating legend Thomas Schmidberger earlier this year. The American’s fearless style has marked him as one of 2025’s breakthrough stars.
Sandra Mikolaschek (Germany) arrives as the WS4 world number one, though she faces strong competition from India’s Bhavina Patel, who has been in exceptional form with four tournament victories this year.
Brazilian Passion Meets Global Excellence
Brazil’s hosting provides the perfect environment for high-stakes competition, with passionate crowds expected to create an electric atmosphere throughout the week. The nation’s commitment to Para table tennis development, demonstrated through their emerging talent pipeline, has positioned them as serious contenders across multiple classes.
The back-to-back format of Elite and Continental competition ensures sustained intensity, with athletes potentially competing across both events in pursuit of ranking points, prize money, and precious World Championship qualification slots.
With generational battles reaching fever pitch, and Brazil’s emerging stars seeking to announce themselves on the global stage, the ITTF World Para Elite São Paulo 2025 promises to be one of the year’s most significant events.
The convergence of Olympic champions, world number ones, Paralympic medallists, and hungry young challengers creates the perfect recipe for unforgettable competition. From 3-7 October, São Paulo will showcase everything that makes Para table tennis compelling – athletic excellence, tactical brilliance, and the eternal battle between experience and ambition.
