Brazil’s Paralympic table tennis team delivered a dominant performance at the 2024 Slovenia Para Open, securing seven medals — including three golds — in what was their last major international event before the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Held in Laško, one of the sport’s most competitive venues, the tournament featured top-ranked players from over 40 countries, making Brazil’s performance a strong indicator of its growing global presence in para table tennis.
Medal Breakdown and Standout Performances
The Brazilian squad finished with:
- 3 Gold
- 2 Silver
- 2 Bronze
Gold Medal Highlights:
- Bruna Alexandre (Class 10): Remained unbeaten throughout the event and won the final against Poland’s Natalia Partyka with a 3–2 comeback victory.
- Israel Stroh (Class 7): Secured gold with surgical precision, winning all matches 3–0.
- Cátia Oliveira (Class 2): Captured her first international gold since 2019, defeating Italy’s Giada Rossi in straight sets.
Bruna Alexandre’s emotional victory stood out, as she returned from injury earlier this year. After her final, she said:
“This medal means more than any other — it proves I’m ready for Paris, physically and emotionally.”
A Team Built on Progress and Inclusion
Under the leadership of coach Hélcio Orsati, the Brazilian team has focused on:
- Technical innovation, incorporating video and AI-based match analysis
- Mental training, especially for high-stress scenarios like finals and match points
- Multi-discipline integration, with physiotherapists, psychologists, and nutritionists supporting each athlete individually
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) has made para table tennis one of its priority sports since Tokyo 2020, with:
- Training centers in São Paulo and Brasília
- Youth talent programs, including scouting in public schools and rehab centers
- International exchange agreements with Germany, China, and Sweden
Final Phase Before Paris
With the Slovenia Open completed, the team will now enter its final preparation block for Paris, which includes:
- A closed training camp in Rio de Janeiro in July
- Match simulations with Brazilian Olympic athletes to test reaction under pressure
- Refinement of serve/return variations and match tempo control
The Brazilian delegation will take 10 athletes to Paris, many of whom are currently ranked in the top 10 globally in their classification.
National Pride and Growing Interest
The success in Slovenia has drawn increased media attention in Brazil, with highlights broadcast on TV Brasil and shared widely on social media under hashtags like #TimeParalímpicoBrasil and #RumoAParis.
More importantly, it’s helped boost visibility and support for para sports in general:
- Public and private schools are adding para table tennis programs
- More municipalities are building accessible training facilities
- Sponsorship interest has increased for athletes like Bruna Alexandre and Israel Stroh
Conclusion: Ready for the World Stage
The seven medals won at the Slovenia Open are more than preparation — they’re proof that Brazil’s Paralympic table tennis team is among the best in the world.
As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, these athletes carry not just medals — but the hopes, pride, and resilience of an entire nation.