Journey to the Olympics
ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025 Kicks Off in Kazakhstan
The ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025, a para table tennis tournament, has commenced at the Jaksylyk Ushkempirov Palace of Sports in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event, which will last for five days, will award medals in 11 categories and offer ranking points for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and the World Championships.
The tournament is attracting international participants, with approximately 140 athletes from 14 countries taking part. Notable athletes include Shae Thakker, who won the silver medal in the men’s Class 10 singles category, and Page and Pickard, who also reached the podium in this category.
Local para-athletes from Astana have also made a strong showing, winning 4 medals at the tournament. Altynay Erjanqyzy, Alexandra Stepanova, Yerlan Kaziev, and Saule Aidarkhanova, international tournament medalists, are among the athletes representing Kazakhstan. Additionally, Paralympic athlete Ali Makulbekov, who competed at the Paralympics in Paris, is one of the athletes representing the host country.
Para table tennis classifications are typically defined by physical impairments, with classes 1-5 for wheelchair athletes and classes 6-10 for standing athletes, with Class 10 for athletes with minimal impairment. This event included at least the men’s Class 10 singles, while other classes were likely contested as well, following standard ITTF Para table tennis categories.
The ITTF World Para Challenger series, which this event is part of, generally draws a diverse global field, making the Astana 2025 tournament an exciting opportunity for international competition. The tournament will conclude on August 3, with medals being awarded on that day.
[1] ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025
[2] ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025 Day 2 Report
[3] ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025 Day 3 Report
[4] ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025 Day 4 Report
[1] Exciting sports action continues at the ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025, with day two of the para table tennis tournament offering more opportunities for international competition.
[2] As the ITTF World Para Challenger Astana 2025 tournament progresses, supporters of various sports can follow the action-packed games, including the men’s Class 10 singles, among others.
