Day 1 of the 2024 World Table Tennis for Health Festival

The 2024 World Table Tennis for Health Festival kicked off today with the official competitions of the World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships and the World Alzheimer’s Table Tennis Championships. The event was launched with an uplifting opening by ITTF & ITTF Foundation President Petra Sörling, setting an inspiring and positive tone for the day.

The day was marked by thrilling Stage 1 matches, where players were divided into groups and competed across all categories: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles in the Parkinson’s Championships, as well as Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles in the Alzheimer’s Championships. The competitions not only showed the skills of the players but also their passion and perseverance as they gathered to play, connect, and embody the spirit of sportsmanship. During the matches, some players were affected by their Parkinson’s symptoms. Despite this, they continued to push through the physical challenges, demonstrating resilience and fighting spirit until the very last point.

After a day of intense competition, the tournament will advance to Stage 2. Tomorrow also marks the opening of the World Table Tennis for Health Congress, which will take place both in Maizières-lès-Metz and online. If you haven’t registered yet, grab the last chance to join us! (Click here)

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for another exciting day of table tennis and insightful discussions.