New Zealand welcomed the para table tennis community today as Auckland began hosting the ITTF Oceania Para Championships, running through to 28 September. This marks the country’s first para table tennis championship since the ISMWSF World Games in 2003.
The championship carries added significance as a qualification pathway for the ITTF World Para Championships 2026. These world championships will be particularly special as they take place during ITTF’s centenary year, marking 100 years since the federation’s founding in 1926.
The ITTF Oceania Para Championships serves as a direct qualification pathway to the ITTF World Para Championships 2026, with one top-placed male athlete from each class and one top-placed female athlete from each class (excluding WS1) earning their spots at the world championships.
This qualification system operates across all five ITTF Para Continental Championships (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania), with a total of 50 male and 45 female athletes set to qualify globally for Pattaya 2026. For athletes competing in combined class events, qualification slots are awarded based on ITTF Para World Singles Rankings within their respective classes.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the 48 competitors in Auckland, as strong performances this weekend could secure direct entry to para table tennis’s premier global competition.
The tournament has set new participation records with 48 players from eight different Member Associations competing across various classifications. The inclusion of Pacific Island nations represents a particular achievement, given the geographical challenges these regions face in international competition.
Following the remarkable success of para table tennis at Paris 2024, three Australian Paralympic medallists are in action in Auckland. Lei Li Na (Bronze WS9), Yang Qian (Gold WS10), and Ma Lin (Bronze MS9) are all competing, bringing their Paralympic experience to inspire the next generation of para athletes.
The presence of these champions reflects the continuous rise of para table tennis, particularly following this year’s reimagined ITTF World Para Circuit, which has elevated competition standards and global visibility for the discipline.
New Zealand’s own Paralympic representative Matthew Britz is one to watch, entering as the top seed in Men’s Singles Class 7 and a strong candidate for gold on home soil.
Table Tennis New Zealand has actively promoted para table tennis development over the past two years through educational initiatives including classification seminars, culminating in hosting this championship to provide local players with valuable home competition experience.
The qualification stakes are adding extra intensity to every match, with places at the ITTF World Para Championships 2026 on offer. These world championships will hold extra significance as they coincide with the ITTF’s centenary year, creating a perfect blend of celebrating the sport’s rich history whilst embracing its bright future.
The ITTF World Para Championships Pattaya 2026 represent the pinnacle of para table tennis competition, and the pathway began today in Auckland.
Para table tennis continues its upward trajectory following the spectacular success at Paris 2024, where the sport captivated global audiences with its incredible athleticism and inspiring stories. The reimagined ITTF World Para Circuit has provided enhanced competition opportunities and increased visibility, contributing to the discipline’s remarkable growth.
This championship embodies the ITTF’s commitment to developing para table tennis across all regions, ensuring athletes from diverse backgrounds have opportunities to compete at the highest level.
Competition is now underway and streaming live on Table Tennis New Zealand’s Facebook and on ITTF Oceania’s YouTube. With Paralympic champions, rising stars, and qualification places all in the mix, the ITTF Oceania Para Championships is delivering exciting sporting competition whilst opening pathways to the ITTF World Para Championships Pattaya 2026.
