Players focused on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games sent a clear message from the ITTF Czech Para Open: preparations are progressing according to plan.

Proceedings concluding on Saturday 22nd June, in the mens singles just three titles went to players who have not qualified to compete in the French capital city later in the year, in the counterpart womens singles, the list was total; in fact, every event was won by the top seed.

Swedens David Olsson, Norways Krizander Magnussen and Polands Maciej Makajew emerged the players to upset the order.

Competing in mens singles class 5, in the later stages Olsson beat Turkeys Ali Ozturk (11-7, 11-7, 12-10) and Frenchman Nicolas Savant-Aira (6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6), both Paris qualifiers, to seal gold.

Somewhat differently, in mens singles class 7, Magnussen overcame Irelands Patrick Vaughan to claim the top prize (11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8); notably, the only final in which a Paris qualifier did not appear.

Surprise outcomes, however, arguably the biggest upset was caused by Makajew in mens singles class 11, the only semi-finalist not to have reserved a Paralympic Games place. In the penultimate round he accounted for Korea Republics Kim Gitae, the reigning World champion in what surely must be the closest deciding game of the year (11-3, 8-11, 11-8, 11-13, 18-16).

Later, he clinched the title at the expense of Belgiums Florian van Acker, the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist (11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7).

Defeat for Florian van Acker but a degree of consolation, at the semi-final stage he accounted for Hungarys Peter Palos in yet another gripping duel decided by the minimal two point margin (7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 12-10). Memorably, Palos won gold at both the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Otherwise, players qualified for the Paris 2014 Paralympic Games enjoyed success.

In the mens singles wheelchair classes, Korea Republic in the guise of Joo Youngdae (class 1) and Park Jincheol (class 2) enjoyed success as did Germanys Thomas Brüchle (class 3) and Japans Kazuki Shichino (class 4).

Similarly in the mens singles standing events, there was gold for Romanias Bobi Simion (class 6) and Great Britains Josh Stacey (class 9), in addition to Polands Piotr Grudzien (class 8) and Igor Misztal (class 10).

Titles for Korea Republics highly rated male players, it was the same for their female counterparts. Seo Suyeon (class 1-2) and Yoon Jiyu (class 3) enjoyed success, as did Great Britains Felicity Pickard (class 6) and Bly Twomey (class 7).

Adding to the womens singles gold medal list, there were titles for Alexandre Saint-Pierre of France (class 4-5), Japans Yuri Tomono (class 8), as well as for Hungarys Alexa Szvitacs (class 9-10) and Turkeys Ebru Acer (class 11).

Success in the womens singles, later Alexandre Saint-Pierre, Alexa Szvitacs and Ebru Acer added to that success as did Yoon Jiyu.

Alexandre Saint-Pierre partnered Flora Vautier to womens doubles class 10 gold, a result that secured Vautier two titles; earlier in the same category she had claimed mixed doubles gold alongside teammate Nicolas Savant-Aira.

In a similar manner, Alexa Szvitacs secured womens doubles class 20 gold partnering Polands Karolina Pek, the latter the mixed doubles class 17 winner in harness with Piotr Grudzien, the mens singles class 8 winner.

Adding to titles by succeeding in the mixed doubles, in class 7 Yoon Jiyu enjoyed success partnering Korea Republics Kim Junggil, the mens doubles class 8 winner alongside colleague Kim Younggun. Ebru Acer followed suit in class 22 alongside Kim Gitae.

Likewise adding to the Korea Republics title haul and to earlier success, Park Jincheol and Seo Suyeon emerged the mixed doubles class 4 winners.

Imposing performances, in addition, Norways Krizander Magnussen increased his gold medal haul as did Great Britains Josh Stacey, Felicity Pickard and Bly Twomey.

Partnering colleagues, Krizander Magnussen won mixed doubles class 7 alongside Nora Kornliussen, Josh Stacey partnered Aaron McKibbin to mens doubles class 18 gold; Felicity Pickard and Bly Twomey combined to win womens doubles class 14.

Meanwhile, as play concluded, in the mens doubles, Spains Iker Sastre and Miguel Angel Toledo won class 4, Great Britains Paul Karabardak and Billy Shilton succeeded in class 14; not to be overshadowed, Hong Kongs Tsoi Ming Fai and Yuen King Shing claimed class 22 gold.

Impressive performances, in the womens doubles it was the same in class 5 for Brazils Catia Oliveira and Joyce Oliveira, a situation that also applied to the combination of Germanys Mio Wagner and Turkeys Merve Demir in mixed doubles class 20.

Play concluded in Ostrava, the next stop is Pattaya, a Factor 40 tournament and the last before the Paralympic Games, the four-day event commences on Sunday 21st July.