The ITTF World Para Elite Yvelines 2025 is delivering spectacular competition in Voisins-le-Bretonneux, with two days of intense action already producing memorable moments and setting up compelling knockout stage battles.
As the final Elite event of the inaugural revamped circuit draws towards its conclusion on 30 October, the French venue has witnessed world number ones asserting dominance, home favourites thrilling local crowds, and several stunning upsets that have reshaped the tournament landscape.
French Stars Shine on Home Soil
The host nation’s contingent has delivered strong performances throughout the opening stages, with several athletes advancing deep into the competition.
Fabien Lamirault, the Paris 2024 torch bearer, has been imperious in men’s class 2, sweeping through his group stage and advancing to the semifinals with convincing victories. The home favourite faces Poland’s Rafal Czuper in a blockbuster semifinal clash between two Paralympic champions.
Mateo Boheas has showcased excellent form in MS10, defeating Germany’s Mio Wagner and reaching the quarterfinals where he’ll face Brazil’s Gabriel de Oliveira Antunes in a generational battle.
In MS3, Florian Merrien produced fighting performances but fell in the semifinals to Germany’s Thomas Schmidberger after defeating Ireland’s Colin Judge in the quarterfinals, whilst Flora Vautier reached the women’s class 4-5 semifinals before being defeated by compatriot Alexandra Saint-Pierre in an all-French battle.
World Number Ones Advance
The tournament’s top seeds have largely progressed as expected, though not without challenges.
USA’s Jenson van Emburgh has been dominant in MS3, dispatching opponents with clinical efficiency to reach the semifinals where he’ll face legend Thomas Schmidberger in a rematch of their earlier season encounter.
Brazil’s Sophia Kelmer, the 17-year-old WS8 sensation, continued her remarkable 2025 campaign by powering into the finals with victories over Italy’s Elena Litvinenko and France’s Thu Kamkasomphou. The teenage world number one will face Japan’s Yuri Tomono for the title.
The Netherlands’ Kelly van Zon advanced to the WS7 final with characteristically clinical performances, defeating Great Britain’s rising star Bly Twomey in the semifinals. Van Zon will face Turkey’s Kubra Korkut for the championship.
Stunning Upsets Reshape Draws
Monday’s action produced several shock results that have opened up multiple classes.
In perhaps the biggest surprise, Sandra Mikolaschek fell in the WS4-5 semifinals to India’s Bhavina Patel despite entering as world number one. However, Mikolaschek bounced back from a group stage loss to Great Britain’s Megan Shackleton to reach the semifinals, showcasing championship resilience.
Italy’s Giada Rossi, the WS2 Paralympic champion and world number one, suffered a stunning quarterfinal defeat to Croatia’s Helena Dretar Karic, ending her bid for Elite glory in France.
The men’s class 9 semifinals will feature a fascinating clash between Spain’s Ander Cepas and Belgium’s Laurens Devos – the two athletes who have traded the world number one position this year. Their head-to-head rivalry adds extra intrigue to what promises to be a compelling encounter.
Paralympic Champions Battle On
Several Paris 2024 gold medallists remain in contention as competition enters its final stages.
Italy’s Matteo Parenzan (MS6) advanced to the semifinals with solid performances, whilst Poland’s Rafal Czuper (MS2) set up his showdown with Lamirault by defeating Italy’s Federico Crosara in the quarterfinals.
Croatia’s Andela Muzinic Vincetic remains on course in women’s class 2-3, having progressed through her group undefeated and into the knockout stages.
Circuit Milestone Year Concludes
The revamped ITTF World Para Circuit’s inaugural season reaches its Elite conclusion in Yvelines, with the three-tier structure having delivered unprecedented opportunities throughout 2025. The new ranking system has created compelling narratives and clear pathways for progression, with this final Elite event carrying significant weight for year-end rankings.
As athletes chase crucial ranking points heading into 2026 – when World Championship qualification begins in earnest – every match takes on added importance beyond immediate prize money and prestige.
Competition continues through 30 October, with semifinals and finals across all classes determining the season’s final Elite champions. The passionate Voisins-le-Bretonneux crowds have created an electric atmosphere, particularly for French competitors seeking to cap the Elite season with home victories.
With world number ones, Paralympic champions, and emerging talents all competing for final glory, the stage is set for a spectacular conclusion to the 2025 Elite circuit. The concentration of top-level talent ensures that whoever prevails will have earned their victories against the absolute best in Para table tennis.
