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France claim historic double at World Intellectual Impairment Sport table tennis Worlds

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A table tennis player with Down's syndrome

The French men’s and women’s teams took two historic titles at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships on Monday (23 October), securing the first titles for players with Down’s syndrome.

Lucille Poquet, Camille Frson, Celine Delalande and Carole Hennion were the victors in the women’s on the opening day of competition in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

They overcame the Egyptian side of Norhan Aboutale and Nermen Abdelhafez 3-0.

There was similar success for the French men. Cedric Courrillaud, Ludovic Morainville, Jean Bachevillier and Alexandre Sol also beat Egypt 3-0. Kareem Elzeiny and Mazen Elsamay proved no match for their opponents.

The Championships in Hradec Kralove are the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to feature the new trial eligibility groups of Down’s syndrome and autism.

The new categories join the existing classification of players with an intellectual impairment where matches were also played on Monday.

Hong Kong’s Paralympic bronze medallist Mui Wui Ng and teammates Hiu Tung Li and Pui Kei Wong claimed gold in the women’s junior team competition.

They triumphed over hosts Czech Republic featuring Jana Feixova and Denisa Macurova, 3-0.

Away from the medal matches the men’s team and men’s junior competition for players with intellectual impairments got underway.

Defending champions France won their opening group games against Egypt and Austria, both 3-0, to advance to the next round.

Hong Kong beat Thailand 3-0 in the men’s junior competition.

Hradec Kralove 2017 runs until 27 October.

News and updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website (www.inas.org) and Facebook and Twitter.

Full results are available at the competition website.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more

Wong looks towards ‘most important competition since Paralympics’

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Hong Kong’s former Paralympic champion Ka Man Wong is excited about the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships, believing it to be the most important event since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Wong is the defending women’s singles world champion having beat teammate Mui Wui Ng to gold at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The 31-year-old could face Ng once again for the world title from 23-27 October in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

“I hope I can perform well in the competition and strive for medals,” Wong said. “This is one of the most important competitions after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. I am looking forward to it.”

Ng now 20, does have the potential to beat her compatriot at a major event. At Rio 2016 she beat Wong to bronze with a 3-0 victory in the women’s singles.

With the two athletes remaining amongst the best in the world, a rematch could be on the cards in Hradec Kralove.

“Ng is an athlete with high potential. We know about the style of play of each other very well,” Wong said. “At that match [during Rio 2016], I just had a bit of advantage over her in terms of experience, so what I did is to play focused and find ways to win.

“I am not certain [about which athletes could challenge me], but it’s all about my own play on the spot. All I have to do is to be concentrated and properly execute the tactics suggested by my coaches.”

Wong, who is recovering from a persistent knee injury, is also looking forward to the team event: “I can play with my teammates as a team who can share the joy or frustration together. At the same time, it keeps me motivated to play better too.”

Having taken up table tennis in 2000, this year Wong is celebrating 14 years since she won her first major international medal at the 2003 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships in Mexico. Since then she has collected multiple singles and doubles titles and remains one of Hong Kong’s best medal hopes.

“Table Tennis provides me with unexpected opportunities in visiting different places for competitions, which has widened my horizons,” Wong said. “Besides, I meet friends and teammates through training, which has also widened my social circle.”

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, will feature around 65 players from 14 countries. As well as athletes with an intellectual impairment, it will also be the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to trial new eligibility groups for Down’s syndrome and autism.

Updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website, Facebook and Twitter throughout the competition. Results will be published at the official event website.

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.

 

Two female table tennis players play a match

Mui Wui Ng to ‘fight’ for medals at table tennis Worlds

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Hong Kong’s Paralympic table tennis bronze medallist Mui Wui Ng will be one of the faces to watch at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships from 23 October.

The 20-year-old made a name for herself by beating defending champion Ka Man Wong to bronze in the women’s singles at Rio 2016.

Now Ng has her sights set on equalling or even improving her performance on the World Championships stage as her career takes on momentum.

“My aim for the Championships is to gain more competition experience and at the same time, striving for my best performance and fighting for medals,” she said. “There are lots of competitive players. If I have to win a game, I have to be focused and put my best effort during the games.”

Whilst the pair are rivals on the table, Ng has learnt a lot from Wong. With travelling and training together, they have also become like family:

“Wong is my long time teammate and like a big sis of mine in the team. We know about the style of play of each other very well. She is also an experienced player who won a Paralympic medal before.”

Ng first started playing table tennis in 2005 after a teacher suggested she try it. When she was a child she found it difficult to communicate with others, something that the sport has helped her to overcome.

“Table tennis training provides me with a platform to meet new people, coaches and teammates, which increases the chance for me in communicating with others at different occasions,” she said. “Now, I have become more courageous to talk and spell out my ideas during training and in public, which in turn helps improve training indirectly too.”

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, will feature around 65 players from 14 countries between 23-27 October. As well as athletes with an intellectual impairment, it will also be the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to trial new eligibility groups for Down’s syndrome and autism.

Updates will be available at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport website, Facebook and Twitter throughout the competition. Results will be published at the official event website.

Preview: Table tennis players to go for gold in October

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October will be headlined by the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Table Tennis Championships.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Table Tennis Championships

The event in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, will run from 21-29 October and attract some of the sport’s biggest names.

Amongst those expected to compete are the Hong Kong duo of Ka Man Wong and Mui Wui NG.

Mui Wui NG is a bronze medallist from the women’s singles at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She beat defending champion Wong to the final podium spot last year.

The table tennis Worlds will also be the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport competition to feature the trial of eligibility groups for Down’s syndrome and autism.

Around 65 athletes from 14 countries are expected to compete in Hradec Kralove. Updates and pictures will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

World Championships for Judoka

The German Judo Federation will host the competition for athletes with an intellectual impairment in Cologne between 19-22 October. It is being sanctioned by the International Judo Federation and World Intellectual Impairment Sport.

7th World Para Taekwondo Championships

The world’s best para-athletes will return to the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park on 19 October.

This includes those competing in Poomsae P20, for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Handball Championships

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Europe are organising this competition which takes place in Cavalaire, France, between 4-8 October.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Preview: Cycling Worlds highlight August’s action

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With the summer season now in full swing, the world’s best athletes with an intellectual impairment continue their quest for glory on the global stage in August.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Cycling Championships

Athletes from nine countries, including hosts the Netherlands, will compete on the road between 1-4 August in and around Assen. The French duo of Jeremy Pereira and Aurelie Minodier are both defending champions, and will contest their titles in the men’s and women’s individual time trial and road race. A team time trial is also scheduled.

Live updates and pictures from Assen 2017 will be available World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter throughout the event.

Route maps, results and entries are available at the Championships website.

Table tennis Asian Championships

From 23-31 August Para table tennis players will light up Beijing, China, for one of the most competitive regional Championships in the sport.

More information is available at the International Table Tennis Federation website. 

2017 World Para Athletics Junior Championships

The competition in Nottwil, Switzerland, is the first of its kind and will feature around 275 aspiring young athletes. These will include future stars of track and field with an intellectual impairment competing in T/F20 events.

Portugal’s Ana Filipe will compete on the back of a bronze medal in the women’s long jump T20 at July’s World Championships in London, Great Britain.

Expect a fast and furious few days between 3-6 August as athletes take to the notoriously fast track at the Sport Arena.

More information is available at World Para Athletics’ website.

2017 Pan American Para Taekwondo Championships

Featuring Poomsae for athletes with an intellectual impairment, the Pan Ams will see three age categories contested – junior (12-15 years), under 30 (16-29 years) and over 30.

The event will take place on 29 August in San Jose, Costa Rica.

More information is available at the Pan Am Taekwondo Union’s website.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more.