Melissa Tapper called up for ITTF Oceania Cup

Paralympian Melissa Tapper will compete against the best able-bodied table tennis players in the Oceania region. 29 Jun 2013 By ITTF

“It's a big surprise to be called up at the last minute, but to be given the opportunity to represent Australia on home soil is great”

Australia’s No. 1 able-bodied table tennis player Jian Fang Lay has withdrawn from the 2013 ITTF Oceania Cup due to an injury and will be replaced by Paralympian Melissa Tapper.

Tapper, who finished fourth in the women’s class 10 singles event at the London 2012 Paralympics, will now compete against able-bodied players from 30 June - 2 July in Bendigo, Australia.

“It's a big surprise to be called up at the last minute, but to be given the opportunity to represent Australia on home soil is great,” Tapper said.

Milly, as her friends call her, is no stranger to representing Australia, having worn the green and gold at the London 2012 Paralympics. Having first picked up a table tennis bat at the age of 12, Tapper grew up playing against able-bodied athletes, and claimed several Australian junior titles over the years, having also represented Australia at the World Table Tennis Junior Championships

It wasn't until 2010 when it was suggested she try playing against other para-athletes.

"I was reluctant at first, as I have never viewed myself as having a disability," claimed Tapper.

Once she embraced the idea and began training for with the Australian para-table tennis squad, her rise in the world of Paralympic table tennis grew.

Having claimed the 2011 Hungarian and Italian Open titles, the 23-year-old was able to cap off a stellar year claiming a silver medal at the 2011 Asia-Oceania Regional Para Table Tennis Championships. She finished the year ranked No. 1 in the women’s class 10.