Table Tennis: Brazil wins two golds at the Paralympic Open in Italy

The Brazilian table tennis team won six medals in individual disputes at the Paralympic Open held in Lignano (Italy) between March 15th and 18th. The highlights were the golds of Bruna Alexandre, in class 10, and Sophia Kelmer, in class 8.

Brazil’s first gold medal in the competition was won by Sophia, who overcame France’s Lucie Hautiere in the semifinals, before beating Hungary’s Zsofia Arloy by 3 sets to 0 (partials 7/11, 5/11, 18/16) in the big decision. In addition, the Brazilian team reached the highest place on the podium with Bruna Alexandre, who overcame Poland’s Natalia Partyka by 3 sets to 2 in the semifinal, before beating Tzu Yu Lin, from Taiwan, by 3 sets to 0 (partials of 11 /5, 3/11, 3/11).

“’The Italian Paralympic Open is, and always will be, special to me, as it was the first time I beat Natalia Partyka [Poland]. I’ve always had this dream and beating the biggest Paralympic table tennis legend is one of the most defining moments of my career. I would like to thank Paulo Camargo, who accompanied me and helped me in difficult moments in the games here in Italy”, celebrated Bruna Alexandre.

In Lignano, Brazil also secured two silvers with Joyce Oliveira, in class 4, and Paulo Salmin, in class 7, in addition to two bronzes in class 3, with Marliane Santos and Thais Severo.