Other Events | 10 Apr 2015

First ever international TT combined event in Bendigo

The K-Sports 2015 ITTF-Oceania Cup & Para Table Tennis Championships, first ever international table tennis event that integrates both able-bodied and para table tennis, is now underway at the Bendigo Stadium in Australia from 10 – 12 April 2015. Bein

The K-Sports 2015 ITTF-Oceania Cup & Para Table Tennis Championships, first ever international table tennis event that integrates both able-bodied and para table tennis, is now underway at the Bendigo Stadium in Australia from 10 – 12 April 2015.

Being the first of its kind in the history of international table tennis, audiences will be treated to a feast of spectacular table tennis in action at the 2015 ITTF-Oceania Cup & Para Table Tennis Championships.

Not only will they witness the contention between the region’s best table tennis players to represent the Continent at the 2015 ITTF World Cups later in the year, but also see Oceania’s para athletes battling for their places at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Melissa TAPPER (AUS), who competes in both para and able-bodied events, shared that “Having the 2015 ITTF-Oceania Cup and Para Table Tennis Championships as a combined event is a great stepping stone to the integration of para sport into mainstream sport. It’s important that every athlete’s ability would able to be put on show rather than the disability, and I think next year’sITTF-Oceania Cup and Para Table Tennis Championships will showcase it perfectly.”

The world number 3 in Para Table Tennis (Class 10) also added “I am very passionate about my sport and becoming the best possible athlete I can, I look forward to seeing some of the amazing things to come out of this integration.”

Meanwhile, the battle at the ITTF-Oceania Cup to fight for a spot at the 2015 ITTF Men’s & Women’s World Cups remains intense. In the men’s singles category, William HENZELL (AUS) will be on his eager attempt for his 7th consecutive victory.

HENZELL’s compatriot, LAY Jianfang will defend her hard earned 2014 title against strong opponents like New Zealand’s LI Chunli and colleague MIAO Miao.

The 2015 ITTF-Oceania Cup and Para Table Tennis Championships will be held from 10-12 April 2015, and will see prize money totaling over $25,000AU, increasing from $20,000AU at the 2014 edition.