Bronze medals last year in Japan and on home soil in Thailand but no further accolades to his name, Kittinan Harnpichai emerged the shining star at the 2024 ITTF United States Para Open in Corpus Christi, play concluding on Thursday 18^th January.

The 24-year-old, the no.2 seed, won mens singles class 4, beating Japans Genki Saito, the top seed, in the closest final of the tournament (6-11, 12-10, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10). Later he partnered Anurak Laowong to mens doubles class 8 success and alongside Panwas Sringam secured mixed doubles class 10 gold.

Stunning performances but was he the player to cause the biggest upsets?

Just under two years ago, having competed in both World and European Para Championships, as well as at the Rio and Tokyo Paralympic Games, Great Britains Ashley Facey announced he would be leaving the sport of table tennis to join the British Cycling Development/Foundation team.

Certainly, a difficult decision and more difficult than he realised; some three months ago he returned to the sport deep in his heart, table tennis.

In Corpus Christi, not seeded, competing in mens singles class 9, he finished in first place in his group, notably accounting for Japans Keyo Iwabuchi, the top seed (11-6, 11-5, 11-4), before in the main draw overcoming the host nations Tahl Leibovitz (11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9) and colleague Josh Stacey, the no.2 seed (9-11, 11-5, 15-13, 11-7) to seal the title.

It was a really good win against Koyo, I started well and was really positive. Ive been training really hard and Im very proud of how I played. It was good to beat Josh for the first time in an international tournament, it was about time. We obviously train together but Im glad I won, not just because I beat Josh but because Ive won my first tournament of 2024 so Im really happy and Ive got to keep going now for the next few tournaments. Ashley Facey

Later Ashley Facey joined forces with Josh Stacey to win mens doubles class 18.

Two titles for Ashley Facey, it was the same for Korea Republics Park Jincheol, Thailands Rungroj Thainiyom and Chinese Taipeis Tian Shiau-Wen.

Favourites for gold, Park Jincheol won mens singles class 1-2, prior to securing the mens doubles class 4 title alongside Nam Kiwon.

Likewise, Rungroj Thainiyom secured gold in mens singles class 6 and in mens doubles class 14 with Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri.

Similarly, Tian Shiau-Wen prevailed in womens singles class 6-10, before partnering Su Jin-Sian to claim mixed doubles class 14-20 gold.

Success for Tian Shiau-Wen, also there were successes for colleagues Cheng Ming-Chih and Chen Po-Yen.

Justifying his top seeded position, Cheng Ming-Chih won mens singles class 5; rather differently, Chen Po-Yen upset the odds to secure the mens singles class 11 top prize. Crucially, in a group organised event he accounted for Thailands Master Techo, the top seed (11-5, 11-2, 11-5).

Silver for Master Techo but Thailand emerged the nation with the most gold.

In addition to the efforts of Kittinan Harnpichai, Rungroj Thainiyom and Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri; Charlermpong Punpoo won mens singles class 7, Anurak Laowong and Wassana Sringam prevailed in mixed doubles class 7.

Most certainly worthwhile visits for Chinese Taipei and Thailand; it was the same for Great Britain.

Additional to Ashley Facey and Josh Stacey, Aaron McKibbin won mens singles class 8, Megan Shackleton prevailed in womens singles class 1-5.

The lions share for three countries, Japan and the United States completed the picture. Mahiro Funayama claimed the mens singles class 10 top prize, Jenson van Emburgh brought smiles to home faces, he won mens singles class 3.

Play concluded in Corpus Christi, attention now turns to Giza, the four-day ITTF Fa40 Egypt Para Open commences on Wednesday 24^th January.