Paris 2024: Best Para table tennis moments

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were packed with memorable moments, including athletic feats and historic firsts, that took place at stunning venues in front of a vocal crowd.

We will share three moments from each sport that made the Games very special.

Top moment

Qian Yang certainly didn’t have an easy route to women's singles WS10 gold at Paris 2024, facing opponents in the semifinal and final who have both competed at Olympic level in Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre and Natalia Partyka of Poland. 

But Yang emerged victorious against both, and is now being tipped to represent Australia at the next Olympic Games herself. 

In the final against four-time gold medallist Partyka, she produced an outstanding performance to win 3-0. 

"If I am given the opportunity, I would really like to compete for Australia at the Olympics,” Yang said after the match.  

“I really like playing for Australia. There is a very friendly training environment. It is not very high pressure in the team." 

For Partyka’s part, she hasn’t ruled out competing in a seventh Paralympic Games in four years’ time. 

Biggest surprise

Few people gave Viktor Didukh much chance of beating China’s Zhao Shuai in the final of their men's singles MS8 Para table tennis clash – not even the Ukrainian himself. 

But Didukh said that the Paris crowd helped inspire his stunning 3-2 win and made him feel like footballing superstar Lionel Messi. 

After the game Didukh said, "All France, all the hall were supporting me, they are unbelievable people. Unbelievable feeling. It was like I was Messi in table tennis. 

"Nobody expected me to win. I don't know how I beat him, it will take a long time to work out. 

"I was just thinking, don't hand him the victory, just play points and don't think about victory. Just think about the point." 

Home hero

Lucas Didier, the 21-year-old younger brother of swimming star Ugo, made sure there was another medal to place on the family table by taking silver in the men's singles MS9. 

After battling through three rounds to reach the final, Didier put up a valiant effort before being beaten 3-0 by Belgium’s Laurens Devos, with all three sets being keenly contested.  

It meant that the experienced Devos won the title for the third time. 

"I am really so happy with the silver,” Dider said after the final. 

“It was a very hard match, but I am happy to be here. It was everybody in the crowd and me against one person, so the atmosphere was incredible."