The tension was electric and the rallies relentless as Day 2 of the 2025 Virtus World Table Tennis Championships in Cairo delivered a spectacle of grit, glory, and pure sporting excellence. The doubles finals saw the French contingent rise to the occasion, sweeping the courts with skill, unity, and unbreakable spirit.

It was a clash of champions as two powerhouse French duos faced off in a thrilling finale. Lucile Poquet and Céline Delalande went head-to-head with Carole Hennion and Camille Frison in a match that kept the crowd on edge until the very last point.

Lucile and Céline struck early, taking the first two sets 11–13 and 6–11 with remarkable control and intensity. But Hennion and Frison refused to surrender, clawing back the third set 12–10 to ignite hope of a comeback. The final set turned into a battle of nerves and endurance, but Lucile and Céline held firm, powering through to close the match 9–11, securing gold in a dramatic 3–1 victory.

The camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by all four players reflected the true spirit of the Virtus Championships — competitive yet deeply respectful.

Men’s II2 Doubles finals match. Photo Credit: ESFID

The French pair Aymeric Gouyaud and Bachevillier were unstoppable as they faced their compatriots Alexandre Sibout and Cédric Courrillaud in an all-French final that showcased precision, power, and tactical brilliance.

From the first serve, Gouyaud and Bachevillier dominated the rhythm, keeping their opponents under pressure with lightning-fast returns and impeccable coordination. Their chemistry was unmatched, sealing a commanding 3–0 win (6–11, 5–11, 4–11) to claim the Men’s II2 Doubles Championship title. It was a masterclass in teamwork — and a clear message that French table tennis is thriving at its finest.

“We are very happy to win the finals. It was an easy game for us”

Pierre and Théo (FRA) in action at II3 Men’s Doubles. Photo Credit: ESFID

If ever there was a match to define courage and perseverance, it was the Men’s II3 Doubles Final. The French duo Pierre Delhom and Théo Clastres took on Thomas Sallier (FRA) and Enes Burç (TUR) in a heart-stopping contest that had the audience holding their breath.

Pierre and Théo stormed ahead with two convincing sets 11–2 and 11–9, their confidence soaring. But Sallier and Burç mounted a fierce comeback, snatching the next two sets 11–13 and 9–11, forcing a deciding fifth. The atmosphere inside the Cairo International Stadium was electric as both teams pushed their limits.

In the end, Delhom and Clastres summoned every ounce of resilience, executing flawless plays to capture the final set 11–7 — and with it, the championship title in a spectacular 3–2 triumph. The crowd erupted as the French pair raised their paddles high, celebrating not just a victory, but a moment of sheer sporting brilliance.

France stood tall on Day 2, marking their dominance and passion for the sport in an exhilarating showcase of doubles excellence in Cairo!

The Cairo International Stadium came alive with energy, joy, and excitement as it hosted the grand opening ceremony of the 2025 Virtus World Table Tennis Championships — a historic moment marking Egypt’s first time hosting a Virtus World Championship. The event set a new benchmark of excellence and pride for the nation and the Virtus community.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Dr Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports; Eng. Amal Mobadda, President of the Egyptian Sports Federation for Intellectual Disabilities (ESFID); Robyn Smith, Virtus Governing Board representative and IPC’s Governing Board member; Major General Ismail El-Far; Dr Amr El-Haddad; Dr Hossam El-Din Mostafa, President of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee; and representatives from the National Bank of Egypt and the Human Rights Sector, along with numerous board members of both ESFID and the Egyptian Paralympic Committee.

Virtus Governing Board representative Robyn Smith (first from left in the first row) and ESFID President, Amal Mobadda (second from left in first row), are attending the opening ceremony of Cairo 2025 along with representatives of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee, ESFID Board members. Photo Credit: ESFID

The event began with a warm welcome to delegates and athletes, followed by the Egyptian national anthem. Mesmerising cultural dance by the Cairo Ballet Institute and Dream band of differently abled added colour, spirit, and authentic Egyptian flair to the evening.

In her inspiring address, Eng. Amal Mobadda said, “This event is more than just a sport competition — it’s a message of hope, a celebration of life, and a bridge of connection between nations.”

She highlighted the pride of hosting the championship soon after the opening of the Egyptian Museum, saying, “In these few days, sporting achievement met with civilizational pride. Here, Egypt’s rich history and bold future will come together.”

She also expressed deep gratitude to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, calling him “the strongest supporter of Egyptian sport and the leader whose vision turned ‘differently abled’ into a national symbol of pride and inspiration.”

“I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt – the strongest supporter of Egyptian sport and the leader whose vision turned “differently abled” into a national symbol of pride and inspiration. He announced the amazing news of Egypt winning the bid to host the 2027 Virtus Global Games and honoured us by promising to attend the opening eremony.”

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, emphasized that the championship carries “a humanitarian and civilized message affirming Egypt’s leadership in empowering people of determination.” He commended the collaboration between the Ministry, the Egyptian Paralympic Committee, and ESFID, underscoring their shared mission to strengthen Egypt’s sports system and fulfill the dreams of its champions.

Athletes standing up for the Virtus and Egyptian Anthem at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Virtus World Table Tennis Championship, Cairo.

Representing Virtus, Robyn Smith praised Egypt’s achievement, stating,

“This championship marks a historic moment for Egypt as they host the first Virtus World Championship… In just two years, Egypt will again make history by hosting the 7th Virtus Global Games.”

She encouraged the athletes, adding, “You are the true champions and the heart of this competition. Believe in yourselves, play with pride, and enjoy every moment of this unforgettable journey.”

Athletes from ten nations — Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Macau, Portugal, Neutral, Chinese Taipei, and Turkey — will compete over the next four days for the top honors in Cairo, showcasing skill, sportsmanship, and the unifying spirit of the Virtus movement.

More information about the championship can be found on the championship website. 

Sunny Brisbane set the perfect stage as the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships entered its second day, with world-class performances lighting up the track and field. Athletes from across the globe — including Paralympic and Virtus stars — pushed the limits of human potential, rewriting record books and inspiring the crowd.

II2 Events: Records Tumble in Every Corner

The Men’s II2 400m delivered a thrilling showdown between Pedro Henrique (BRA) and Takahiro Inatomi (JPN). Both athletes stormed past the previous World Record, with Pedro clocking 1:06.69 sec and Takahiro finishing close behind in 1:06.91 sec.

Pedro’s dominance didn’t stop there — he captured a second gold in the II2 Men’s 100m, setting yet another World Record. Though Australia’s Benjamin Kalenjuk led the first 50m, Pedro surged ahead to win by 0.04 sec, crossing the line in 13.31 sec.

In the Women’s II2 100m, Italian star Chiara Zeni shattered her own World Record, improving her mark from 15.21 seconds to 15.15 sec.

Egypt’s Fatmaelzahraa Mohamed continued the record-breaking streak in the Women’s 1500m, lowering her own best from 8:03.71 sec to 8:01.31 sec.

On the field, Japan’s Kai Kameyama unleashed a powerful Javelin throw of 30.23m, breaking Nicholas’s previous World Record by 3.80m.

Meanwhile, Italy’s versatile champion Nicole Orlando made her mark in the Javelin Throw, surpassing her own World Record with a new distance of 19.29m, improving from 19.22m.

David Vodstrcil (CZE) capped off the II2 events by setting a new World Record in the Men’s Triathlon with 955 points, sealing an incredible start for his nation.

II3 Events: Lightning Speed and Unstoppable Throws

In the Women’s II3 100m, fans witnessed one of the most electrifying moments of the championship. Sadie Graham-Mulvaney (GBR) blazed down the track in 12.81 seconds, narrowly ahead of Italy’s Agnese Spotorno (13.99 sec). Both athletes ran below the previous World Record mark, but it was Sadie who claimed gold — and etched her name into Virtus history.

Not to be outdone, Agnese Spotorno returned to the track in the 400m, smashing her own World Record and cutting her time from 1:09.52 sec to 1:06.28 sec — a display of sheer determination and speed.

In the Men’s II3 Javelin, Australian thrower Liam Griffet put on a masterclass in consistency and power, breaking his own record three times. He opened strong with 34.31m, surpassing his previous best of 33.80m, and kept building momentum with throws of 36.99m and 36.86m — before sealing a new World Record at 38.10m in his fourth attempt.

The Women’s Javelin event added to the excitement, featuring an intense battle between Siarne Davis (AUS), Samya Goda (EGY), and Emma Papantoniou (AUS). All three surpassed the previous record mark of 14.53m, but it was Siarne Davis who triumphed with a commanding 19.11m, followed by Samya (15.36m) and Emma (15.12m).

From sprinting to throwing, from rising stars to seasoned champions, the opening days of the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships have already made history — with 11 World Records falling and countless personal bests achieved. Brisbane’s energy and the athletes’ spirit promise that the best is yet to come.

Livestream of the event can be watched from the Included Through Sport YouTube account.

Live results can be accessed from here.

The final day of the Indian Oil 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi delivered a dramatic finish, as the Women’s T20 Long Jump event brought the stadium to its feet with a thrilling display of athletic excellence, emotion, and resilience.

The lineup featured some of the world’s most accomplished athletes — two-time Paralympic Champion Karolina Kucharczyk (POL), Paris 2024 silver medalist and Kobe 2024 World Champion Zileide Cassiano da Silva (BRA), and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Fatma Damla (TUR) — among others, all ready to battle for the final gold medal of the championship.

From the opening round, Brazil’s Zileide Cassiano set the tone with a stunning 5.88m jump, immediately taking the lead. Kucharczyk followed closely with 5.49m, while Turkey’s Fatma Damla surged in her third attempt with 5.68m, pushing the Polish champion down to third.

The final ranking was just a medal swapping of the Paris 2024 Paralympics podium finish.

(L-R) Zileide Cassiano, Karolina Kucharczyk (POL) and Fatma Damla (TUR), posing with their medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Photo Credit: Bartłomiej Zborowski/Polski Komitet Paralimpijski

Despite a determined effort from her rivals, Cassiano held her ground to secure gold and successfully defend her Kobe 2024 World Title — an emotional and hard-fought victory for the Brazilian, who revealed she had been battling injury in the weeks leading up to the event.

“I feel fulfilled, because I struggled a lot to be here. I’ve been training for only four weeks and I injured my knee. Regardless of the podium position, I already felt like a winner — this gold medal just made it perfect,” Cassiano said after her win.

The Brazilian champion described her triumph in one powerful word — “overcoming.”

“I spent three months without being able to jump. To come here, compete, and win — it’s about overcoming. I dedicate this medal first to God, then to my family, my coach, Guilherme, my psychologist, and everyone who supported me at the Paralympic Committee of Brazil.”

Reflecting on defeating two-time Paralympic champion Karolina Kucharczyk, Cassiano spoke with deep respect:

“For me, Karolina is an example. She opened doors for us. She’s overcome so much — being a mother, returning to compete at this level — she inspires me. I’m just happy to be here among athletes like her.”

Cassiano plans to celebrate back home in Brazil:

“We’re flying home tonight — I’ll celebrate with my family. I can’t wait to see them.”

Turkey’s Fatma Damla claimed silver with 5.72m, marking her best-ever finish at a World Championships.

Reflecting on her event, Fatma said,

“I’m so happy that I got the silver medal. I was a bombshell at the event. It was perfect. I practised very hard, and so I was expecting to defeat Karolina. My next target is to win the gold in Los Angeles won!,” Fatma told Virtus. 

“I’m going to eat something sweet and celebrate my silver medal. I’ve lost weight, so it’s ok.”

Meanwhile, Poland’s Karolina Kucharczyk, battling through an ankle injury, secured bronze with 5.49m — a testament to her resilience and experience.

“I am happy. The atmosphere was wonderful — a little hot, but it didn’t affect my performance. This bronze is like a gold medal for me because I had an ankle injury and couldn’t train for two months,” Kucharczyk told Virtus.

The Paralympic legend also shared a glimpse into her life beyond the track:

“Honestly, sport is like an escape from the babies!” she laughed.

“I love my children — my son Casper loves football and sometimes tries running too. He says he hates that I’m away, but he loves that I have two Paralympic golds!”

Kucharczyk will soon head to Brisbane for the Virtus World Championships, where she aims to return to the top of the podium:

“No celebrations yet — maybe after I win gold in Brisbane,” she said with a smile.

The Women’s T20 Long Jump marked a fitting finale to a championship that showcased not only world-class athletic performance but also the spirit of perseverance, respect, and inspiration that defines para sport.

As many athletes will head to Brisbane for the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships, Virtus wishes them all the best.