Para-table tennis

Para-table tennis was included in the first Paralympic Games in Rome, in 1960.

Para-table tennis is open to athletes with a physical or intellectual impairment. Athletes compete in standing or sitting (wheelchair) classes. Men and women compete individually and in team events.

The rules of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) apply to the Paralympic table tennis competitions with slight modifications.

For more information on Para-table tennis Eligibility and How to Get Involved please see the Para-table tennis Information Sheet (PDF – 110KB) – updated May 2024.

Medal History

2024Paris
203
5
2020Tokyo
240
6
2016Rio de Janeiro
010
1
1984New York & Stoke Mandeville
100
1
1968Tel Aviv
010
1
1964Tokyo
103
4
1960Rome
010
1

Events and Disciplines

Singles events
Mens & Womens Doubles events
Mixed Doubles events

Classification

Para-table tennis is open to athletes with a physical or intellectual impairment. Athletes are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order to compete. Eligibility is determined by trained Classifiers.

For more information on Eligible Impairments and Classification please see the Para-table tennis Information Sheet (PDF – 150KB) – updated November 2021.

Rules and Equipment

Table
The table is 2.74 metres long, 1.525 metres wide and 76 centimetres high, while its surface must not be less than 20 centimetres thick. The competition surface is usually made from wood or synthetic materials.

Wheelchair friendly tables should have table legs at least 40 cm from the end line of the table for wheelchair players.

Net
The net is 15.25 centimetres high and extends along the width of the centre of the table, dividing it into two equal parts. The net is usually made of nylon and is coloured blue.

Ball
The ball has a 40mm diameter and weighs about 2.7 grams. It is made of celluloid or of similar plastic material. It is coloured white or mat orange.

Bats
Since the 1950s, bats have been covered by a layer of sponge-like material, which sits between a racquet’s rubber surface and the wood, creating a new type of rubber layer. Using this material, new techniques of hitting and spinning the ball were discovered and developed, making the game more dynamic.

CONTACTS

We encourage those wishing to explore Para-table tennis to contact their state federation in the first instance. The national federation link below provides information on the national high performance program leading to competing internationally and at the Paralympic Games.

National Federation
	Organisation	Website
	Table Tennis Australia	tabletennis.org.au/home
State Federations
State	Organisation	Website
ACT	Table Tennis ACT	tabletennisact.org.au/home
NSW	Table Tennis NSW	revolutionise.com.au/ttnsw/
NT	Table Tennis NT	tabletennisnt.com.au/home/
QLD	Table Tennis QLD	tabletennisqld.org
SA	Table Tennis SA	tabletennissa.org.au
TAS	Table Tennis TAS	www.tttas.org.au/home/
VIC	Table Tennis VIC	tabletennisvic.org.au/home
WA	Table Tennis WA	ttwa.org.au